3 Rules Beginning Screenwriters Need To Know - Dr. Ken Atchity

Summary

Dr. Ken Atchity shares essential screenwriting rules: First, everything in a screenplay must connect, as inconsistency can break the audience's engagement. Second, the audience cares only about dramatic order, not chronological or logical order. Third, the audience is the main character—they drive the story. Atchity illustrates this with Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds,' emphasizing how a director’s understanding of audience psychology creates tension and keeps viewers hooked. Ultimately, great screenwriting involves controlling the audience's emotions, knowing what they want, and ensuring they stay captivated throughout the story.

Takeaways

• 😀 Everything in a screenplay must be connected. Unlike novels, where events can be isolated, every detail in a screenplay should tie into the larger narrative.
• 😀 Continuity is essential. A character's actions or attributes must remain consistent throughout the script to avoid distracting the audience.
• 😀 Dramatic order is more important than chronological or psychological order. The story should prioritize emotional impact and audience engagement over strict timelines.
• 😀 A well-hooked audience can understand shifts in time or location without explicit markers. The emotional flow matters more than precise details.
• 😀 The audience is the main character in the story. The most important task for a screenwriter is to engage and please the audience, not just develop the characters.
• 😀 Great directors understand what the audience is anticipating and structure scenes accordingly to heighten suspense and emotional engagement.
• 😀 In suspenseful scenes, like those in *The Birds*, the audience's anticipation is carefully managed to ensure they are primed for a scare at just the right moment.
• 😀 Psychological or character logic is secondary to what the audience expects. Good screenwriting plays on audience emotions and the buildup of tension.
• 😀 Exposition should never overshadow the experience of the audience. The goal is to grab their attention and keep them immersed in the story.
• 😀 A screenplay is like building a structure where every part must fit perfectly. A single inconsistency can break the entire narrative flow.

Q & A

Why is it crucial for everything in a screenplay to connect with each other?

In screenwriting, every element must connect to maintain coherence and avoid confusion for the audience. Small inconsistencies, like a character wearing a different colored baseball cap without explanation, can disrupt the audience's suspension of disbelief and lead to disengagement.

What is the difference between a screenplay and a novel in terms of connection?

In a novel, you can have disconnected elements, with one event on page one having no direct link to an event on page 158. However, in a screenplay, everything must be connected—each detail has a purpose and needs to be tied into the overall story to maintain audience engagement.

What does 'dramatic order' mean, and why is it more important than chronological order?

'Dramatic order' refers to the way events are arranged in a story to create emotional impact and suspense. It’s more important than chronological order because it’s what keeps the audience hooked. As long as the hook is strong, viewers will follow the story, even if the timeline is non-linear.

How can a non-linear narrative still be effective in keeping the audience engaged?

A non-linear narrative works if the emotional and dramatic beats are strong enough to maintain audience interest. The audience is more concerned with being emotionally invested and following the dramatic tension than with following a strict, logical sequence of events.

What role does the audience play in the screenwriting process?

The audience is considered the main character in the story. A good screenwriter understands what the audience expects and how to fulfill those expectations through suspense, timing, and emotional engagement. It’s about giving the audience what they are waiting for.

How does Alfred Hitchcock's *The Birds* demonstrate the importance of audience psychology?

In *The Birds*, Hitchcock manipulates audience expectations through the character’s actions and timing. The suspense builds as the audience anticipates a scary moment, and Hitchcock delays it just enough to make the audience’s fear palpable, demonstrating how understanding audience psychology is key to storytelling.

Why is it important for a screenwriter to focus on audience expectations rather than character logic?

Focusing on audience expectations ensures that the story keeps the viewers emotionally engaged. For example, in *The Birds*, the character's actions may not always make sense logically (like going up to the attic in fear of birds), but the audience is driven by the suspense and the anticipation of what’s coming next.

What does Dr. Atchity mean by saying that the audience needs time to 'catch up' with the story?

Dr. Atchity is referring to moments in a film where the audience needs time to process the buildup, especially before a suspenseful or terrifying moment. By slowing down and creating tension, the filmmaker gives the audience a chance to reflect and heightens their emotional involvement.

What does Dr. Atchity mean by saying a director must understand the audience’s psychology to be successful?

A successful director knows how to play with the audience’s emotions. By understanding what the audience expects and when they expect it, the director can manipulate the tension, timing, and pacing to ensure the audience remains engaged and invested in the story.

What is the core of good screenwriting according to Dr. Atchity?

Good screenwriting is about knowing how to grab the audience's attention and never letting go. It’s about building suspense, creating emotional hooks, and making sure that every element of the story is purposeful, ultimately ensuring that the audience stays emotionally connected throughout.