19. Tears for days: How to make the audience care
Homework
The homework for this lesson requires you to notice characters’ decision-making. Watch and learn how the screenwriting maestros make you empathize and latch onto their carefully crafted characters – whether you want to or not. Thought you had a choice, didn’t you!
Character judgement day
Take a notepad and pen for the next film you watch and note down every time the protagonist makes a decision in the story. When the film is over look at the list of decisions.
The list is proof of an active protagonist who drives the story and makes us empathize with them. Every time the character makes a decision, we ask ourselves what decision we would personally make in his or her shoes.
The character must keep making decisions in order to keep us on board with the story. Make sure you do the same for your protagonist.
Next step
Whip the third act of your movie into shape. This might take you a few days, so we’ll go gentle on you!
