We've read them in books & we've seen them in television & film. Those pivotal moments designed to create a response, usually sorrow or anger, within the audience. You ever notice how sometimes when those moments happen you are over come with emotion. You clinch your fist, you slam it on the chair, you grit your teeth & your heart beats a little faster. Or perhaps the moment is sad & you cry. We've all read & seen these moments. We've also read a moment in a book or watched it in a film that was meant to create this emotion within us but it didn't. Why is that? Why is it that we can read a scene in one book that has us unabashedly bawling our eyes out & then read the exact same scene in another book & it doesn't phase us in the slightest? Why?
The key as a creative writer is to realize that the moment in itself is NOT what creates the response. The character failing or the character dying is not what makes you cry. It's the buildup to the moment that makes you cry.
If you have doubts as to what I say do me a favor. I want you to go on youtube.com & type in something like, "Saddest movie scenes" or "Heartbreaking movie scenes" or something of the sort. Watch two or three of those montages of various scenes from film & television. You'll begin to notice something. In the films & television shows that you are familiar with, that you have seen, you'll have a stronger response. To those you haven't seen, your response won't be as strong. It isn't necessarily because the moments that you're familiar with are done any better than the ones you're unfamiliar with. It isn't because the scenes are weaker. It's because of the buildup. You know what happened in the book, film or television show prior to the moment.
So it begs the question, how does one earn a moment? How does one make sure that when the moment comes in their novel or screenplay , that they're going to get the response from their audience that they intend?
I'll illustrate through example.
TURNER & HOOCH a film from 1989 about a cop who develops a friendship with a dog who witnessed a murder. (If you haven't seen it, sorry. Maybe we can discuss another film that you have seen.)
At the end of the film, after being shot, Hooch dies on the operating table at the Veterinarian's office & we're all left shedding enough tears to fill the Atlantic. Why is it that Hooch's death has such an effect on us? Why are we as distraught as Turner is? Why? Because the moment was EARNED.
Here's how....
Throughout the film a bond is created between Turner & Hooch, that has us as the audience in turn bond with the characters as well. We sense their comradery & love for one another. That in itself helps to create the response, but it doesn't do so alone.
Three times throughout the film Hooch saves Turner's life.
Turner goes to the hotel looking for Zach Gregory & Gregory sneaks up behind him putting a gun to his head. Gregory has Turner drive him & quick on his feet Turner rams the car into a barricade, sending Gregory flying out through the windshield. When Turner goes to get him Gregory goes to grab his gun & shoot Turner. Right before he is able to, Hooch bites his arm saving Turner from getting shot.
Then in the warehouse, Boyett sneaks up behind Turner & is about to shoot him when Hooch distracts Boyett (getting shot himself in the process). This gives Turner an opportunity to react, shooting Boyett.
Lastly, as Hooch is lying on the floor dying, Howard is about to shoot Turner, when with the last bit of energy he has left Hooch bites Howard on the leg. Turner is then able to overpower Howard & kill him.
Three occasions where if it hadn't been for Hooch, Turner would have been killed.
That's why in the veterinarian's office we empathize with Turner's pain. It's why we hurt as badly as he does. We know that Hooch saved his life three times throughout the film & he was unable to save him in return.
Our tears were earned in that moment.
So as you write, remember that for your most dramatic scenes. Earn those moments!
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