3 Essential Moments Every Story Needs To Have
tories move us and change us in unexplainable ways that can hardly be called science. Yet, there still seems to be a formula — a pattern of a story that makes it irresistible to mankind.
I believe it’s our call as writers to learn, study and memorize that formula, and exploit it to bring about the greatest and most satisfactory stories possible.
Here are a few of my insights into the formula of great storytelling. Specifically, the three key moments that every great story has, that you should include in your own: (Littered with examples from my favorite films, of course)
#1: The promise
The promise moment of every story is where the audience knows that the thing just presented will soon be flipped on its head.
It’s the classic “What’s the worst that could happen?” line, delivered right before everything worse happens.
This moment is a suggestion of something more, of the drama that we as audience members, readers, and viewers alike crave in our innermost being.
In the movie Date Night, Steve Carell and Tina Fey’s characters are seated at an expensive NYC restaurant impersonating another couple — a somewhat innocent choice that will eventually ruin their evening.
They’re talking about their lives and how the evening’s going to go when one of them raises a glass to toast.
0 Comments