Creating Powerful Set Ups And Pay Offs

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Video Written and Recorded by Ricky Ackerley and Tyler Mowery

There’s nothing more eye rolling when watching a movie than the dreaded deus ex machina.

This is when an unexpected, often contrived, plot device appears suddenly and resolves a seemingly unsolvable problem in the story. It can make the story feel dissatisfying because it resolves the conflict without any meaningful contribution by the characters or using the established rules of the story world.

This is why it’s so important to implement SETUPS and PAYOFFS.

When setups and payoffs are used effectively, they can create a sense of inevitability and logic within the story, making the resolution earned and justified.

When there’s logic to the plot development, the stakes of the story feel real and the viewer is invested in the story.

A masterclass in the execution of setups and payoffs is the film ‘JFK’.

And if you’re interested in writing your great screenplay with the top development team, click the link below this video to work with us.


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