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Lecture 14: The Climax and the Resolution

Lecture 14: The Climax and the Resolution. Professor Christopher Bradley.

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Lecture 14: The Climax and the Resolution

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  1. Lecture 14:The Climax and the Resolution Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Screenplay by Adolph Green and Betty Comden Suggested by the song “Singin’ in the Rain” by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

  2. Previous Lesson The Epiphany Jaws (1975) Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb Based on the novel by Peter Benchley

  3. In this Lesson • The Final Showdown with the Antagonist • Tying Up the Loose Ends Taxi Driver (1973) Screenplay by Paul Schrader

  4. The Climax! Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Screenplay by Adolph Green and Betty Comden Suggested by the song “Singin’ in the Rain” by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown Lesson 14: Part I

  5. Increasing the Pressure • We’ve been increasing the pressures on the characters for the entire story, and now is the moment when everything cracks open! Taxi Driver (1973) Screenplay by Paul Schrader

  6. Just Before the Climax • The protagonist has had an epiphany. What he or she must do becomes clear. • The protagonist has created a new plan. • The stakes are higher than ever.

  7. The Climax • If there was a bomb with a ticking clock, now is the time the bomb explodes! Taxi Driver (1973) Screenplay by Paul Schrader

  8. The Climax • The protagonist has his final showdown with the Antagonist. • The new plan works, or in some cases, it does not, depending on your story. In some of the best stories, the protagonist fails or succeeds in an unexpected way. • The climax should resolve plot and subplots simultaneously, if possible. • A greater truth emerges.

  9. The Climax:“A Greater Truth” • All great films have a broader subject matter, a theme or, as McKee calls it, a Controlling Idea. It extends beyond the particular story a screenwriter tells. • A Controlling Idea is the unifying idea of a story. It is concerned with a universal concept such as love, honor, identity, ambition, greed, etc. • The universality of themes ensures that the audience will relate to a story on a deeper level.

  10. Example 1: Singin’ in the Rain • If this doesn’t work, Kathy’s career will be ruined, Don’s love life will be ruined, and R.F. will have lost his soul (and control of his studio). • Let’s watch the climax of Singin’ in the Rain. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Screenplay by Adolph Green and Betty Comden Suggested by the song “Singin’ in the Rain” by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

  11. Example 2: Taxi Driver • If Travis fails, he will forever be a nobody, a mediocrity, never a hero (or at least his flawed idea of what a hero is). • Let’s watch the climax from Taxi Driver. Taxi Driver (1973) Screenplay by Paul Schrader

  12. The Resolution Lesson 14: Part II Jaws (1975) Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb Based on the novel by Peter Benchley

  13. Your Theme orControlling Idea • You might not know your theme beforehand. You might discover it as you write. • Your theme might surprise you. • Themes grow out of what you believe to be true. They grow out of your experiences and discoveries. 13

  14. Discovering Your Controlling Idea • “The most personal stories are, conversely, the most universal.” --Bob Rosen, the Dean of the School of Theatre, Film and Television at UCLA • “If you’re moved, the audience will be moved.” -- Aristotle 14

  15. Resolution • Providing an opportunity to resolve any unresolved subplots. (How do you do this and not overstay your welcome?) • Providing an opportunity to show some of the results of the climax in the larger world • Giving the audience a moment to collect their emotions and reflect 15

  16. Example 1: Jaws • As far as Chief Brody knows, everyone but him is dead. • The film’s theme, “Arrogance kills” is underlined by the fact that Hooper survives. • Let’s watch the resolution of Jaws. Jaws (1975) Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb Based on the novel by Peter Benchley

  17. Example 2: Little Miss Sunshine • Olive has lost the contest, but the family has been set free. • The film’s theme, “You make your own rules” is underlined by their exit from the parking lot. • Let’s watch the resolution of Little Miss Sunshine. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Screenplay by Michael Arndt

  18. Assignments Taxi Driver (1973) Screenplay by Paul Schrader Lesson 14: Part III

  19. E-Board Post • Post the final 15 pages of your Second Act, including (most likely) your protagonist’s Epiphany, the Climactic Moment of your story and a brief (1- to 5-page) Resolution. • As always, remember to continue developing your subplots and to be re-writing your earlier pages! 19

  20. End of Lecture 14 Next Lecture: The Re-Write and The Business Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Screenplay by Michael Arndt

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