Starting with the Climax

In the early stages of film writing… actually before the film writing even begins… I day-dream about ideas and inspirations around me. I tend to think about one big moment and place a unique character in that moment. I begin imagine how that moment would play out. If it is a fight between friend, I start to think why are they fighting. If it is an escape from prison, why was he in prison? I give the moment all the details that I can think of and I rush to jot it down so I don’t forget because that moment will be the climax of my story.

Director and writer of Mirimax 2007 Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck

If you watch a movie with a big twist, lets use the example of the film Gone Baby Gone, [SPOILER ALERT] The huge twist at the end of the film reveals many built up emotions to the audience that has you contemplating with the character and his girlfriend what is considered right and what is wrong in today’s world. I honestly believe that the writers started with that idea. What if this happened in real life? What side would you take? Then they shaped the whys and developed the characters. To make the climax truly explode on-screen there must be a smart and very thought out plot line. Starting with the climax gives you the ability to build the surrounding plot to continuously play into the climax. It is such a beautiful moment when your mind starts adding on moments, and storyline, and character backgrounds to intensify that one previously imagined moment.

Currently writing out the timeline for my film. I am excited to develop the characters background, flashbacks, and put the whys behind the characters decisions. I love writing coming to age films because I think it is important for young adults to find who they are and follow their hearts and heal their pasts.  I starting thinking about how I never ran away from home as a child, so why do kids run away? With that idea I created my climax for my film and decided how to build up to that moment. The climax will make or break the way an audience views your story, so make it shine and take your time putting all the surrounding pieces together to hold it up. The climax can very easily be the flair in your film just have to write the plot that gives it that spark!