Writing conflict for indie film stories

Refining your craft

We've asked dedicated filmmakers and screenwriters how they think of conflict when writing their stories. The answers were inspiring:

New writers narrowly focus on simply delivering the meaning behind their stories.

📜 Well-written conflict comes from well-understood motivations. Stories are meant to show the sequence of growth driven by conflict

📜 A script doctor told us that enriching conflict evolution solves most writing weaknesses. He noticed that most stories start strong, yet, loses momentum over time.

📜 The Revenant is applauded for, among others, exceptionally well enriched conflicts. Capturing the brutality of Person vs. Nature conflict. Blended with the raw emotional antagonism of Person vs. Person.

📜 Gradual conflict evolution, where the stakes consistently rise, is critical—especially in original scripts.

📜 Conflict is perceived as writing a combination of impactful events and a reason to emotionally resonate with.

Every conflict type arises from a challenging endeavor. Obstacles elevate these conflicts by forcing the character to confront their own limits. To write conflict is to surprise with conflict.

"When you feel that your story is missing something, it is always useful to review the conflict first." ~ Amanda, a friend of ours

‍

Major effect

Conflict type and evolution affects every facet of the story. Conflict must be well-planned, well-developed well-refined. It is much easier to craft great conflict after writing most of the story beats.

‍

Relevant Storytelling elements

Where you shall pay more attention to best craft conflict ?

Conflict type
Characters arc
Story Structure elements
Story planning - story purpose

‍

What makes writing conflict
really challenging ?

‍

Conflict is pretty nuanced. Different than "obstacles" or "challenges" or "animosity". The best stories are built around conflicts that provoke entanglement over time. Unexpected relationships, hard truths and suffering. Building up to a worthy story ending.

‍

“In order to write scripts, you must first study the great novels and dramas…Where does the emotion come from…What level of meticulousness did [the writer] command
~Akira Kurosawa

In theaters, people rarely bite their nails, hold their chairs, or cover their eyes unless the stakes are intense. This evolution can take many forms depending on the genre, the stakes, and honestly, on YOU. Here are some distinct approaches to conflict evolution:

‍

🗡️ Linear Escalation of Stakes

In linear conflicts, the stakes grow steadily over time, forcing the protagonist to adapt and rise to new challenges. For example, in Die Hard, the protagonist John McClane starts by trying to survive a hostage situation but eventually shifts his focus to actively defeating the terrorists. Each new obstacle raises the stakes, with the final confrontation delivering the ultimate test of his skills and resolve.

Key Takeaway: Linear escalation works well in action or thriller genres, where the audience craves mounting tension and resolution.

‍

🗡️ Revealed Conflicts (The Hidden Layer)

Some of the best films introduce a hidden layer of conflict that isn’t revealed until midway through the story. This often shifts the protagonist’s goals and forces the audience to re-evaluate the stakes. In Parasite, the family’s initial conflict revolves around their infiltration of a wealthy household. However, the true conflict emerges when they discover another family hidden in the basement, exposing deeper themes of class struggle.

Key Takeaway: The hidden layer works exceptionally well in dramas, mysteries, or thrillers, where revelations create tension and surprise.

‍

🗡️ Fragmented Conflicts That Converge

When conflicts are introduced through multiple characters or storylines, they can converge in a way that heightens tension and stakes. In Avengers: Infinity War, each character faces individual conflicts—Thor seeks vengeance, Tony Stark struggles with his role as Earth’s protector, and Wanda faces a moral dilemma about Vision. These fragmented threads culminate in a unified conflict against Thanos, elevating the stakes for every character.

Key Takeaway: Fragmented conflicts are perfect for ensemble casts or multi-arc stories where each character plays a pivotal role in the final resolution.

💡 Practical Tip: tools like watzen.ai help you craft each story elements

‍

Mechanics of Conflict

Conflict becomes memorable with a combination of different mechanisms:

‍

1.Ripple Effect: Conflict should never exist in isolation. A single challenge should trigger a cascade of consequences that affect other characters, the plot, and the world.

2.Contrasts and Paradoxes: contradictions add a layer of conflict and mostly, draw a smile. Perhaps the antagonist’s motives aren’t entirely evil, or the protagonist’s actions to resolve the conflict come at a moral cost. This complexity deepens audience engagement

3.Time Pressure: Deadlines or ticking clocks amplify the stakes. The audience feels the urgency alongside the characters, keeping them glued to the story.

‍

4.Spiraling Stakes: Conflict should escalate gradually. Building up to a steep climax. A choice between saving the life of Harvey Dent or Rachel Dawes, shows us who Batman is.

‍

Resolving the "New Balance"

‍

Allocate enough time to properly to show the new balance at the end of the story. Characters have changed, powers shifted, the world is different. In Jojo Rabbit, Jojo starts as a Nazi fanatic but, through his relationship with Elsa, grows into a compassionate and open-minded individual. The resolution of his internal and external conflicts creates a deeply satisfying ending.

‍

What's different ?

This perspective of dissecting conflict and showing it visually differentiate you story. You are at a better position to best craft:

Conflict Evolution, where obstacles don’t remain static but grow in complexity, such as linear escalation, hidden layers, and fragmented threads that converge.
Character-Driven Conflict, with a focus on your protagonist’s desires, weaknesses, and moral dilemmas—all tied to internal and external challenges.
Revelations & New Balance, which help you write better transformation.
World-Integrated conflict, you may utilize elements of the environment to elevate the theme.

What makes truly different is how it equips you to apply these concepts with precision.

‍

Writing conflict for indie film stories

Refining your craft

We've asked dedicated filmmakers and screenwriters how they think of conflict when writing their stories. The answers were inspiring:

New writers narrowly focus on simply delivering the meaning behind their stories.

📜 Well-written conflict comes from well-understood motivations. Stories are meant to show the sequence of growth driven by conflict

📜 A script doctor told us that enriching conflict evolution solves most writing weaknesses. He noticed that most stories start strong, yet, loses momentum over time.

📜 The Revenant is applauded for, among others, exceptionally well enriched conflicts. Capturing the brutality of Person vs. Nature conflict. Blended with the raw emotional antagonism of Person vs. Person.

📜 Gradual conflict evolution, where the stakes consistently rise, is critical—especially in original scripts.

📜 Conflict is perceived as writing a combination of impactful events and a reason to emotionally resonate with.

Every conflict type arises from a challenging endeavor. Obstacles elevate these conflicts by forcing the character to confront their own limits. To write conflict is to surprise with conflict.

Major effect

Conflict type and evolution affects every facet of the story. Conflict must be well-planned, well-developed well-refined. It is much easier to craft great conflict after writing most of the story beats.

Relevant Storytelling elements

What makes writing conflict
really challenging ?

Conflict is pretty nuanced. Different than "obstacles" or "challenges" or "animosity". The best stories are built around conflicts that provoke entanglement over time. Unexpected relationships, hard truths and suffering. Building up to a worthy story ending.

In theaters, people rarely bite their nails, hold their chairs, or cover their eyes unless the stakes are intense. This evolution can take many forms depending on the genre, the stakes, and honestly, on YOU. Here are some distinct approaches to conflict evolution:

🗡️ Linear Escalation of Stakes

Key Takeaway: Linear escalation works well in action or thriller genres, where the audience craves mounting tension and resolution.

‍

🗡️ Revealed Conflicts (The Hidden Layer)

Key Takeaway: The hidden layer works exceptionally well in dramas, mysteries, or thrillers, where revelations create tension and surprise.

‍

‍

🗡️ Fragmented Conflicts That Converge

Key Takeaway: Fragmented conflicts are perfect for ensemble casts or multi-arc stories where each character plays a pivotal role in the final resolution.

💡 Practical Tip: tools like watzen.ai help you craft each story elements

Mechanics of Conflict

Conflict becomes memorable with a combination of different mechanisms:

1.Ripple Effect: Conflict should never exist in isolation. A single challenge should trigger a cascade of consequences that affect other characters, the plot, and the world.

2.Contrasts and Paradoxes: contradictions add a layer of conflict and mostly, draw a smile. Perhaps the antagonist’s motives aren’t entirely evil, or the protagonist’s actions to resolve the conflict come at a moral cost. This complexity deepens audience engagement

3.Time Pressure: Deadlines or ticking clocks amplify the stakes. The audience feels the urgency alongside the characters, keeping them glued to the story.

4.Spiraling Stakes: Conflict should escalate gradually. Building up to a steep climax. A choice between saving the life of Harvey Dent or Rachel Dawes, shows us who Batman is.

Resolving the "New Balance"

Suggested
Solution

What's different ?

This perspective of dissecting conflict and showing it visually differentiate you story. You are at a better position to best craft:

What makes truly different is how it equips you to apply these concepts with precision.

You might also like

Writing conflict for indie film stories

Refining your craft

We've asked dedicated filmmakers and screenwriters how they think of conflict when writing their stories. The answers were inspiring:

New writers narrowly focus on simply delivering the meaning behind their stories.

📜 Well-written conflict comes from well-understood motivations. Stories are meant to show the sequence of growth driven by conflict

📜 A script doctor told us that enriching conflict evolution solves most writing weaknesses. He noticed that most stories start strong, yet, loses momentum over time.

📜 The Revenant is applauded for, among others, exceptionally well enriched conflicts. Capturing the brutality of Person vs. Nature conflict. Blended with the raw emotional antagonism of Person vs. Person.

📜 Gradual conflict evolution, where the stakes consistently rise, is critical—especially in original scripts.

📜 Conflict is perceived as writing a combination of impactful events and a reason to emotionally resonate with.

Every conflict type arises from a challenging endeavor. Obstacles elevate these conflicts by forcing the character to confront their own limits. To write conflict is to surprise with conflict.

Major effect

Conflict type and evolution affects every facet of the story. Conflict must be well-planned, well-developed well-refined. It is much easier to craft great conflict after writing most of the story beats.

Relevant Storytelling elements

What makes writing conflictreally challenging ?

Conflict is pretty nuanced. Different than "obstacles" or "challenges" or "animosity". The best stories are built around conflicts that provoke entanglement over time. Unexpected relationships, hard truths and suffering. Building up to a worthy story ending.

In theaters, people rarely bite their nails, hold their chairs, or cover their eyes unless the stakes are intense. This evolution can take many forms depending on the genre, the stakes, and honestly, on YOU. Here are some distinct approaches to conflict evolution:

🗡️ Linear Escalation of Stakes

Key Takeaway: Linear escalation works well in action or thriller genres, where the audience craves mounting tension and resolution.

‍

🗡️ Revealed Conflicts (The Hidden Layer)

Key Takeaway: The hidden layer works exceptionally well in dramas, mysteries, or thrillers, where revelations create tension and surprise.

‍

‍

🗡️ Fragmented Conflicts That Converge

Key Takeaway: Fragmented conflicts are perfect for ensemble casts or multi-arc stories where each character plays a pivotal role in the final resolution.

💡 Practical Tip: tools like watzen.ai help you craft each story elements

Mechanics of Conflict

Conflict becomes memorable with a combination of different mechanisms:

1.Ripple Effect: Conflict should never exist in isolation. A single challenge should trigger a cascade of consequences that affect other characters, the plot, and the world.

2.Contrasts and Paradoxes: contradictions add a layer of conflict and mostly, draw a smile. Perhaps the antagonist’s motives aren’t entirely evil, or the protagonist’s actions to resolve the conflict come at a moral cost. This complexity deepens audience engagement

3.Time Pressure: Deadlines or ticking clocks amplify the stakes. The audience feels the urgency alongside the characters, keeping them glued to the story.

4.Spiraling Stakes: Conflict should escalate gradually. Building up to a steep climax. A choice between saving the life of Harvey Dent or Rachel Dawes, shows us who Batman is.

Resolving the "New Balance"

SuggestedSolution

What's different ?

This perspective of dissecting conflict and showing it visually differentiate you story. You are at a better position to best craft:

What makes truly different is how it equips you to apply these concepts with precision.

You might also like

What makes writing conflict
really challenging ?

Suggested
Solution