Screen Adaptation: Beyond the Basics

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Crafting and Honing Tension

 

 

 

Syd Field contends that Tension needs to continuously rise through the second act until it reaches its climax in the third.

Figure 10.1 The Hero’s Journey—“Tension” as Y-axis

I realize that many writers feel like this model suggests a “paint by numbers” approach. I suggest looking at it differently: You should come up with your story however you want to come up with it. Write it off the top of your head, noodle it out in outline form, meticulously plan it out in long hand. Whatever. The creative process you use to create the first draft of your story doesn’t matter. What ...