Introduction: Setting the Stage for ‘Her’ (2013)
In the realm of screenwriting, the art of capturing the depth and dynamism of human emotion is a challenging feat. Films that succeed in this endeavor often find a lasting place in the hearts of audiences worldwide. A prime example of this is the innovative and emotive masterpiece, Her (2013), directed by Spike Jonze.
Set in a not-so-distant future, ‘Her’ tells the captivating story of a man named Theodore, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, who develops a deep emotional connection with an artificial intelligence, Samantha. What makes ‘Her’ a remarkable film, besides its compelling concept, is the way it explores complex human emotions through its unique, thought-provoking screenplay.
When it comes to extracting the essence of human emotions in screenwriting, it’s crucial to understand the necessity of making your characters feel real, their emotions genuine, and their experiences relatable. These fundamental screenwriting tips may seem intuitive, but they require a certain depth of understanding and empathy from the writer. Let’s delve deeper into how ‘Her’ exemplifies this art.
Creating Authentic Characters
In ‘Her,’ the protagonist, Theodore, is a man reeling from a painful separation. We are quickly introduced to his emotional vulnerability, which adds depth to his character and forms the basis for his upcoming relationship with Samantha. It’s his loneliness and longing for connection that makes his character authentic and relatable to audiences.
When developing characters, a valuable screenwriting tip is to draw from genuine human experiences and emotions. Each character, like each person, carries their emotional baggage, histories, desires, and fears. Capturing these intricacies can make your characters feel authentic and engaging.
Exploring the Complexity of Human Emotion
Samantha, though an artificial intelligence, experiences a range of human emotions throughout the movie. From curiosity to love, and eventually, a desire for transcendence, Samantha’s emotional journey is complex and dynamic. What’s remarkable is that these emotions come from a non-human entity, which subtly prompts viewers to reconsider what it means to feel.
Jonze’s decision to imbue an AI with such emotional depth could serve as a valuable screenwriting tip. Sometimes, challenging the traditional confines of character and emotion can lead to compelling and innovative storytelling.
Utilizing Dialogue to Convey Emotion
Dialogue is a powerful tool in conveying a character’s emotional state. In ‘Her,’ Theodore and Samantha communicate primarily through dialogue, which is imbued with vulnerability, humor, and eventually, heartbreak. Their conversations provide the audience with profound insights into their evolving relationship and their individual emotional states.
Here’s a useful screenwriting tip: dialogue should not merely serve the function of providing information. Instead, it should reveal character traits, mirror emotions, and drive the plot forward.
Symbolism and Visual Metaphors
Apart from dialogue, ‘Her’ uses symbolism and visual metaphors to enhance its emotional landscape. Theodore’s job as a letter writer is symbolic of his empathy and ability to understand and convey human emotions. Moreover, the warm, saturated color palette of the film mirrors the warmth and emotional intensity of Theodore’s relationship with Samantha.
In script writing, visual elements can serve as powerful tools to communicate emotions subtly. It’s a delicate balance, but when achieved, it enhances the overall emotive quality of the film.
Dissecting the Screenplay Structure of ‘Her’
In the process of writing a screenplay, the structure plays an indispensable role. The journey a story takes, its highs and lows, and the emotional arc of its characters are all tightly entwined with the screenplay’s structure. ‘Her’ offers a fascinating case study of screenplay structure, especially given its unique premise. Despite featuring a love story between a human and an AI, the film adheres to the timeless three-act structure, thereby providing a comforting familiarity amidst its innovative concept.
The Three-Act Structure in ‘Her’
‘Her’ meticulously follows the tried-and-true three-act structure: setup, confrontation, and resolution. This structure helps to anchor the film, ensuring the story progresses in a satisfying and coherent way.
In the setup, we’re introduced to Theodore, his world, and his emotional state. The inciting incident arrives when he purchases the AI, Samantha. The ensuing relationship between Theodore and Samantha forms the basis of the film’s emotional core.
The confrontation forms the meat of the story. It’s during this act that the relationship between Theodore and Samantha deepens, causing both characters to change and grow. However, tension mounts as Samantha’s intelligence evolves beyond Theodore’s comprehension, creating conflict within their relationship.
Finally, the resolution brings the story to its emotional climax. The dissolution of Theodore and Samantha’s relationship, though painful, offers an opportunity for Theodore’s emotional maturation. He reconnects with his human emotions, friendships, and his capacity for acceptance and moving on.
Unpacking Emotion Through the Three-Act Structure
What’s particularly striking about ‘Her’ is how the film weaves intricate emotions throughout its three-act structure. The setup introduces us to Theodore’s loneliness and longing. The confrontation amplifies these feelings by exposing Theodore and Samantha’s joys, discoveries, and emotional struggles. And finally, the resolution concludes with an exploration of loss, acceptance, and growth.
An essential script writing technique used in ‘Her’ is the deliberate pacing of emotional beats in line with the structure. The film takes its time to explore the depths of its characters’ emotions, allowing for quiet moments of introspection. The emotions are neither rushed nor glossed over, creating a nuanced portrayal of human emotion.
Structuring a Screenplay Around a Theme
Another critical aspect of ‘Her’s screenplay structure is its adherence to its central theme: the complexities of love and human connection in an increasingly digital world. The film revolves around this theme, using it to explore a wide range of emotions.
When you’re writing a screenplay, it’s beneficial to keep the central theme in mind and align your story’s structure around it. This technique ensures thematic consistency and gives your story a robust backbone.
Crafting Authentic Dialogue in a Three-Act Structure
In ‘Her,’ dialogue plays a significant role in driving the story forward. The film’s dialogue maintains authenticity and emotional depth throughout the three-act structure. Each conversation between Theodore and Samantha deepens their relationship, propelling the story forward while keeping the emotional stakes high.
Remember, dialogue is a crucial component of script writing. The conversations should feel natural and contribute to the plot progression and character development. ‘Her’ demonstrates how to effectively balance dialogue with action and how it can serve to reinforce the screenplay’s emotional core.
Integrating Subplots
Lastly, the use of subplots in ‘Her’ provides additional layers to the main plot. The subplot involving Theodore’s ex-wife Catherine serves to heighten the emotional stakes and adds depth to Theodore’s character.
In your screenplay, consider incorporating subplots that align with the main narrative and contribute to the emotional arc of the characters. Subplots offer an opportunity to delve deeper into your characters’ world and enhance the emotional richness of your story.
Drawing Inspiration: Writing Prompts from ‘Her’ and Final Thoughts
After having dissected the screenplay structure and explored the various techniques ‘Her’ employs to illustrate complex human emotions, it’s time to put those observations into practice. One of the best ways to do that is by using writing prompts to kickstart your creativity and implement the writing tips you’ve gathered. The prompts derived from ‘Her’ are designed to stimulate your thinking process, encouraging you to explore the depths of human emotions, and challenge traditional storytelling norms, much like the film itself.
Prompt 1: Write a Scene Between a Human and an AI
A pivotal aspect of ‘Her’ is the unique relationship between Theodore and Samantha. Try your hand at writing a similar dynamic. Explore how a human character and an AI might interact, forge a connection, and how that could potentially impact their outlooks. Remember, it’s about the emotional depth and authentic dialogue.
Prompt 2: Use a Futuristic Setting to Explore Current Themes
‘Her’ is set in a future not far from our own. It uses this near-future setting to comment on themes that are extremely relevant today, like loneliness in a digital age. Write a scene or a short script where you use a futuristic setting to explore a contemporary theme. This prompt encourages you to think critically about how our present might influence our future, a concept well-articulated in ‘Her’.
Prompt 3: Explore the Concept of Unconventional Relationships
Theodore and Samantha’s relationship is far from conventional. But its unconventionality doesn’t make it any less real or intense. Inspired by this, write a scene exploring an unconventional relationship, focusing on how emotion can transcend physical boundaries.
Prompt 4: Write a Scene Based on a Character’s Emotional State
Theodore’s emotional journey in ‘Her’ is intrinsic to the film’s plot. Draw from this and create a scene purely based on a character’s emotional state. It could be a monologue, a dialogue, or even a letter, like Theodore often writes in the film. The aim is to delve into the depths of your character’s emotions and portray them authentically.
Now that you have some prompts and a deeper understanding of how ‘Her’ navigates the intricate landscape of human emotions through its screenplay, it’s time for you to embark on your own screenwriting journey. While it can be challenging, remember that the beauty of writing lies in its capacity to evoke feeling and provoke thought, much like ‘Her’ so masterfully does.
Final Thoughts
Writing a screenplay that effectively conveys the complexities of human emotions is a formidable task. However, as ‘Her’ demonstrates, it is not an insurmountable one. Through careful attention to character development, thematic consistency, authentic dialogue, and a well-structured narrative, you too can tell emotionally rich and impactful stories.
Remember, the key is to remain true to your characters’ emotional journeys, to let them be vulnerable, flawed, and human—even if they’re an AI. Do not shy away from exploring deep, complicated emotions and unconventional narratives. As Spike Jonze demonstrated with ‘Her,’ such narratives have the power to leave a lasting impression.
As you begin, or continue, your screenwriting journey, always keep in mind that at the heart of every good story are characters and emotions that resonate with the audience. This is the cornerstone of good screenwriting and the most potent way to connect with your audience. Take the writing tips you’ve gathered, the prompts you have, and write the stories you want to tell. And, perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to infuse every script with a piece of ‘Her’ – a dose of real, authentic, and profound human emotion.
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A.I. in Screen Trade 