Creating A Perfect Ending
March 5th, 2010
My recent challenge was creating the perfect ending for the revision of my newest screenplay. I added a lot to the whole story that summing up and tying together five story lines resulted in puffy eyes and pulling hair. So far, I believe I found success. My ending resolves all the minor story line arcs as well as leaves something for the unseen future.
What makes a “perfect” ending?
It’s a debate. Personally, I don’t think the perfect ending is a happily ever after senario. Life is much more unexpected. In a round about way, we always get what we want but not quite the way we expected. That is the perfect ending. Of course, the topic right now is really based on how you view life working out and I don’t want to jump into a philosophical debate.
Therefore, let’s briefly talk about what technically makes a great ending for a screenplay.
A story and screenplay can be related to a circle and an arc. Every one contains resolution. (Granted, there are exceptions but let’s stick with the general.) Within that resolution, each storyline and each character must come to a resolution or have changed from the start of the story. Write a list of each story line and each character. What is the arc? Has it or have they reached that goal yet?
In addition, each story line and each character interacts with the other stories and characters. How does the arc in each one affect the arc of the others?
Can you see the complex web I’m describing? The best thing to do is create a chart or graph that states each element and how they intersect. From there, you can discover and create the perfect ending.
Now you can fully visualize my frustration. However, once the pieces are put together, it feels fantastic like you just finished the most complex puzzle ever.
Filed under: screenwriting, story
March 5th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
One of my favorite film endings is in “The Remains of the Day”. It’s by no means a ‘happy’ ending, though pulls together all of the arcs together in a nice, clean break.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Exactly. A real perfect ending.. from a writer’s perspective. :)
March 11th, 2010 at 12:33 am
I didn’t understand the concluding part of your article, could you please explain it more?
March 13th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I read a article under the same title some time ago, but this articles quality is much, much better. How you do this?
March 15th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
TheBigDog- Do you mean where I talk about the complex web? If so, I’ll explain that a bit further. As with any story, every plot line effects another. While a writer has to complete the arc of the main plot line, we also have to remember the smaller ones that effect the main one. This can be tricky depending on how complex of plot lines and/or character story lines/arcs you have. The key to the perfect ending is being able to see all the interweaving of plot lines and manage to link them and resolve them. Does that help explain?
savecoco- Thanks for enjoying the article! I’ve been writing for many years so I’m not sure how I do it.. it’s just stored up there in my brain and I write it out here.
Thanks for all the comments everyone and have a great day!