Creating a world means making the unreal feel real.
To achieve this, two key elements are crucial:
Consistency: Whether the story takes place in a world identical to our own or in a fully imagined universe, everything must hold together. The rules of this world must be clear and consistent, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves without being distracted by inconsistencies.
Character Emotions: For the audience to connect with the story, the characters must feel authentic, and their emotions must be tangible. It is through their joys, sorrows, doubts, and hopes that the audience will relate to them and experience the story as if it were real.
Mapping a World Means Defining Its Cardinal Points in Subtext
These cardinal points are essential for guiding those who will interact with the screenplay—directors, actors, and crew members.
They include:
Point of View: Who is telling the story? Through whose eyes does the audience discover this world? The point of view is crucial in shaping the perspective and framing the narrative.
Intention: What message is being conveyed? The intention defines the tone and direction of the story, ensuring a clear and coherent narrative thread.
Genre: Comedy, drama, science fiction, thriller… The genre sets audience expectations and establishes the conventions to follow. It also influences the storytelling style, as well as visual and sound elements.
Theme: What is the central idea of the story? The theme is the underlying thread connecting all aspects of the screenplay. It adds depth to the narrative and encourages reflection and emotional engagement around a core concept.
A screenplay is a living entity that evolves throughout the filmmaking process.
Mapping it ensures that everyone involved can enrich it while maintaining its coherence. Every contribution—whether from the director, actors, or technicians—should align with these cardinal points to preserve the integrity and strength of the story. This approach allows the production team to work in harmony, creating the best possible film.

Comments