 | A lot of people think new action or thriller movies are crappy popcorn flicks that might as well have been written by a monkey. Unless the movie is a huge blockbuster success, or critically acclaimed, people write it off as stupid. But every movie has something to teach you, and the new Liam Neeson thriller, "Non-Stop," is no exception. The movie is rich with hidden screenwriting lessons that we're excited to share with you. So keep reading. |
1) Give characters small problems and endear them to the audience
In "Non-Stop," Julianne Moore's character is introduced with a very relatable problem. She purchased a window seat, but somehow ended up in the aisle, and she wants to know if the ticket agent could help get her back in a window seat.
It's a really simple moment, but it endears the audience to Moore's character almost immediately. We know how frustrating that problem can be, so we root for her.
Play with this in your own scripts. Set up your Hero's with relatable problems, sure. But try setting up your villains with problems that are equally relatable. The more you humanize your characters, the more your invested your audience will be in the story you're trying to tell.
It's a really simple moment, but it endears the audience to Moore's character almost immediately. We know how frustrating that problem can be, so we root for her.
Play with this in your own scripts. Set up your Hero's with relatable problems, sure. But try setting up your villains with problems that are equally relatable. The more you humanize your characters, the more your invested your audience will be in the story you're trying to tell.
2) gain trust by asking questions before the audience has a chance
If your story is hinged on a unique problem or situation, the audience is immediately going to try to poke holes in the logic of your screenplay.
But that's a good thing! It means the audience is assuming the role of protagonist in their heads and that they're involved in the outcome.
Your job is to answer the most important logic questions as soon as the audience asks them.
"Non-Stop" does this shamelessly. When a new twist introduces a new set of questions, there is immediately a scene where Liam Neeson congregates with a handful of people and basically fields questions from them...
"Why can't we throw the bomb off the plane?"
"Why isn't TSA helping more?"
"Can't you just snip a red wire and be done with it?"
As Neeson answers these questions, it's incredibly satisfying as an audience member, because all your questions are answered (plus a bunch you didn't even think to ask).
That's confident writing, and it demonstrates that the writer is in control of their story.
But that's a good thing! It means the audience is assuming the role of protagonist in their heads and that they're involved in the outcome.
Your job is to answer the most important logic questions as soon as the audience asks them.
"Non-Stop" does this shamelessly. When a new twist introduces a new set of questions, there is immediately a scene where Liam Neeson congregates with a handful of people and basically fields questions from them...
"Why can't we throw the bomb off the plane?"
"Why isn't TSA helping more?"
"Can't you just snip a red wire and be done with it?"
As Neeson answers these questions, it's incredibly satisfying as an audience member, because all your questions are answered (plus a bunch you didn't even think to ask).
That's confident writing, and it demonstrates that the writer is in control of their story.
3) use symbols to highlight character arcs
Character arcs can be extremely difficult to illustrate to the audience. But movies are a visual medium, so if you can tie that arc to an object or symbol, you can use that symbol to communicate the arc more efficiently.
In "Non-Stop," Neeson's character has a blue ribbon his eight year old daughter gave to him before she died of cancer years ago. He keeps it with him at all times for good luck.
At the end of the movie, he gives the ribbon to a scared little girl, to help her gain the confidence to survive the tumultuous end of the story.
Watching Neeson relinquish that ribbon is very meaningful, and it triggers something that lets us know that the story is coming to a close, the plane is almost going to land, and Neeson is going to step off the air craft having undergone a transformation.
Movies are a visual medium. Try to connect an object or symbol to your Hero's arc and it might help that transformation appear more clearly to your readers.
In "Non-Stop," Neeson's character has a blue ribbon his eight year old daughter gave to him before she died of cancer years ago. He keeps it with him at all times for good luck.
At the end of the movie, he gives the ribbon to a scared little girl, to help her gain the confidence to survive the tumultuous end of the story.
Watching Neeson relinquish that ribbon is very meaningful, and it triggers something that lets us know that the story is coming to a close, the plane is almost going to land, and Neeson is going to step off the air craft having undergone a transformation.
Movies are a visual medium. Try to connect an object or symbol to your Hero's arc and it might help that transformation appear more clearly to your readers.
4) Try Ultimate Irony and see what happens
In "Non-Stop," Liam Neeson plays a federal air marshall that's afraid to fly.
That's ultimate irony. For sure.
And at first it seems kind of silly, but here's why it works... The writer justifies the irony.
Audiences are much more willing to buy whatever you're selling if there's a justification that makes sense.
It turns out Neeson only became an air marshall after his other job opportunities washed up. So it makes sense that he took this job, despite his fears.
Most importantly, Neeson's fear of flying is an obstacle, rooted in character, that present constant conflict throughout the movie. And that's great.
What Would Be The Most Ironic Personality Trait For Your Hero? Comment Below.
That's ultimate irony. For sure.
And at first it seems kind of silly, but here's why it works... The writer justifies the irony.
Audiences are much more willing to buy whatever you're selling if there's a justification that makes sense.
It turns out Neeson only became an air marshall after his other job opportunities washed up. So it makes sense that he took this job, despite his fears.
Most importantly, Neeson's fear of flying is an obstacle, rooted in character, that present constant conflict throughout the movie. And that's great.
What Would Be The Most Ironic Personality Trait For Your Hero? Comment Below.