The Foundations of ‘Get Out’ and Its Screenplay Structure
The world of cinema thrives on stories that push boundaries, challenge norms, and provide thought-provoking narratives. Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning film, ‘Get Out’, is a prime example of a story that merges traditional storytelling techniques with riveting social commentary. At its core, it’s a psychological horror-thriller, but it’s also so much more. The foundation of ‘Get Out’ lies in its meticulous screenplay structure, blending genre elements in a way that amplifies its message.
Introduction to ‘Get Out’ as a Genre-blending Narrative
‘Get Out’ presents itself as a genre-blending masterpiece. On the surface, it seems like a simple visit to a girlfriend’s family home, but the undercurrents of racial tension and historical subjugation quickly take center stage. The movie utilizes the conventions of psychological horror, dark comedy, and social drama to project its themes. This blend isn’t just for stylistic flair; it’s a strategic move, ensuring the film’s themes resonate with diverse audiences.
Dissecting Its Three-Act Screenplay Structure
Understanding screenplay structure is crucial for anyone embarking on the journey of writing a screenplay. The classical three-act structure provides a blueprint, guiding writers on the placement of plot points, character arcs, and thematic revelations. ‘Get Out’ adheres to this framework with finesse, ensuring the pacing and progression feel natural and organic.
Act I: Setup – Chris, our protagonist, is introduced along with his relationship with Rose. This act establishes the foundation of the story, planting seeds of unease and setting the tone. The drive to Rose’s family home is filled with foreboding, exemplified in the disturbing deer accident scene. By the end of this act, the audience is well-aware of Chris’s outsider status.
Act II: Confrontation – As Chris spends more time at the Armitage house, the sense of unease grows. He observes peculiar behavior from the estate’s black workers and undergoes a hypnotism session that reveals the ‘Sunken Place’. This act intensifies the conflict, heightening Chris’s suspicions and the audience’s fears.
Act III: Resolution – This act starts with a bang, unveiling the horrifying truths behind the Armitage family’s actions. Chris’s battle for survival becomes literal, moving from psychological warfare to physical confrontation. The act concludes with a satisfying resolution, providing answers while also leaving space for interpretation.
The adherence to this classic structure doesn’t restrict Peele’s creativity. Instead, it strengthens the narrative, providing a roadmap that ensures the story’s flow and maintains the audience’s engagement.
The Importance of Pacing and Escalating Tension in Thriller Scripts
Pacing is paramount in a thriller. ‘Get Out’ masterfully balances slower, introspective moments with scenes of sheer tension. This balance allows the social commentary to be absorbed and reflected upon, rather than being overshadowed by relentless action.
For example, Chris’s conversations with the black staff are spaced out, providing breathing room and allowing for a buildup of suspense. Each conversation is more unsettling than the last, creating a gradual escalation of tension. By the time we reach the climax, the groundwork has been laid for a truly explosive revelation.
Then there are the subtle moments. Consider the scene where Chris is photographing the grounds. The picturesque beauty is juxtaposed against an underlying menace, a visual representation of the film’s thematic duality.
In writing a screenplay, especially in the thriller genre, pacing can’t be overlooked. It’s not just about fast-moving action; it’s about building tension, layering revelations, and crafting moments that allow audiences to reflect on what they’ve witnessed.
The Art and Craft: Screenwriting Tips from ‘Get Out’
Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ stands out not only because of its gripping story and pointed social commentary but also due to its craftsmanship in screenwriting. Taking a closer look reveals a treasure trove of writing techniques, character developments, and narrative tools that any aspiring writer can learn from.
How ‘Get Out’ Handles Its Themes with Subtlety and Nuance
Central to ‘Get Out’ is the exploration of race relations and the insidious nature of liberal racism. Rather than presenting its themes in overt, heavy-handed ways, the film opts for subtlety, allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions. Consider the scene where Rose’s father, Dean, boasts about his admiration for Barack Obama. On the surface, it’s a mere casual conversation, but lurking underneath is a much deeper commentary on performative allyship.
Another example is the character of Georgina. Her strange behavior, coupled with moments like the tear rolling down her face while she assures Chris that she’s fine, provides audiences with hints about the underlying horror. These moments create a lingering unease, reflecting the film’s larger commentary on the suppression of Black identities in white-dominated spaces.
Handling themes with nuance requires patience and trust in the audience. Writers must resist the temptation to lay everything out explicitly, allowing room for interpretation and engagement. Crafting moments that encourage reflection rather than spoon-feeding information creates a richer cinematic experience. This is one of the essential writing tips budding screenwriters can learn from ‘Get Out’.
Writing Tips Derived from Jordan Peele’s Techniques
- Show, Don’t Tell: Peele is a master of this cardinal rule of screenwriting. Instead of characters vocalizing their feelings or intentions, actions and settings convey them. The ‘Sunken Place,’ a visual representation of Chris’s immobilized consciousness, is a haunting example. Without a word, it powerfully depicts feelings of powerlessness and subjugation.
- Subtext is King: The real meaning of a dialogue often lies beneath its surface. When the guests at the Armitage party make odd comments about Chris’s physique or urban experiences, the subtext underscores the racial fetishization many Black individuals face.
- Character Relatability: No matter how outlandish the situation, the protagonist’s reactions must feel genuine. Chris’s skepticism, unease, and ultimate horror resonate with audiences because his reactions are authentic. His relationship with his friend Rod also adds a layer of relatability, grounding the narrative in reality.
- Misdirection: One of Peele’s standout techniques in ‘Get Out’ is leading the audience one way, only to subvert expectations. Rose’s initial defense of Chris against a cop creates an illusion of her as an ally. However, this is brilliantly flipped as her true nature is revealed, keeping the audience on their toes.
- Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, there are hints of the impending horror. The deer hit by the car in the beginning eerily mirrors Chris’s fate and his ultimate confrontation with the Armitage family. These tiny details plant seeds, which culminate in major narrative payoffs.
- Effective Use of Humor: Despite its intense themes, ‘Get Out’ doesn’t shy away from humor. Rod’s character, in particular, provides comic relief, but his humor never feels out of place. It serves as a breather, balancing the tension and making the narrative more digestible.
The Interplay between Character Development and Social Commentary
Characters are not mere plot devices in ‘Get Out’. Each has depth, motivations, and distinct arcs that tie back to the overarching social commentary.
Take Jeremy, for instance. His aggressive fascination with Chris’s physical prowess is more than just a personal trait. It’s an embodiment of the historical fetishization and commodification of Black bodies, echoing back to times of slavery and public displays like Sarah Baartman.
Rose’s evolution, or rather the revelation of her true self, is another masterstroke. She represents the hidden dangers of performative progressiveness. On the surface, she’s supportive and understanding, but her true intentions are far more sinister. Her character serves as a stark reminder that racism isn’t just overt discrimination; it can lurk behind the kindest of gestures.
Infusing Social Commentary in Your Screenplay: Inspiration from ‘Get Out’
The ability of cinema to provide escapism is celebrated far and wide. Yet, its potency as a tool for social critique is perhaps even more profound. ‘Get Out’ exemplifies this, melding entertainment and enlightening social commentary into one seamless narrative. So, how can aspiring screenwriters integrate pressing societal issues into their work without compromising the story’s intrigue and engagement?
The Power of Writing Prompts to Generate Impactful Ideas
Writing prompts can serve as a valuable starting point. They can provoke thought, kindling the spark of creativity. For those wishing to infuse social commentary into their work, the prompt might be a simple question or statement related to current events or persistent societal issues.
Imagine starting with: “What if society’s implicit biases were made explicit?” or “A world where every stereotype was an enforced reality.” These prompts force introspection, pushing writers to explore the subtleties of societal norms and their implications.
To draw inspiration from ‘Get Out’, one could use a prompt like: “A regular event seen through the lens of an outsider.” This doesn’t immediately push for a narrative about race; it could be about class, nationality, or any other defining trait. Yet, with the right character and setting, a powerful commentary on race, just like ‘Get Out’, can emerge.
Techniques for Weaving Social Commentary Naturally into the Narrative
- Ground it in Reality: Even if your story exists in a fantastical realm or a distant future, the social issues should resonate with contemporary audiences. Jordan Peele’s narrative, though filled with horror and mystery, touches upon very real and present racial tensions.
- Character-driven Commentary: Rather than having the plot carry the weight of the message, develop characters who embody or challenge societal norms. Chris’s experience in ‘Get Out’ is so compelling because it’s deeply personal. His interactions, choices, and reactions become a lens through which broader societal issues are viewed.
- Allegory and Metaphor: Abstract societal issues can be portrayed through allegories. ‘Get Out’s’ ‘Sunken Place’ serves as a metaphor for the suppression of Black voices, providing a visual representation of a complex, abstract idea.
- Balancing Show and Tell: While visual cues and implicit actions are crucial, sometimes characters need to voice their experiences and insights. Dialogue can serve as a tool for clarity, ensuring the message isn’t lost amidst the plot’s twists and turns.
- Avoid Preachiness: While the intent is to shed light on societal issues, a screenplay isn’t a lecture. The story should always come first. The social commentary should be woven into the fabric of the narrative, not tacked on.
Balancing Entertainment with Message for Maximum Impact
Entertainment and social critique aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, when done right, they can amplify each other. ‘Get Out’ isn’t just a film about racial tensions; it’s a gripping psychological thriller, and the two elements intertwine to create a more profound impact.
For writers, the challenge is to keep audiences engaged while also making them think. One method is the judicious use of tension and release – a tense scene highlighting societal issues can be followed by a moment of levity or vice versa. This ebb and flow keep the audience engaged while also allowing them moments of introspection.
Consider the role of Rod, Chris’s best friend, in ‘Get Out’. He provides comic relief, but his humor is rooted in the same racial issues the film tackles. His outlandish TSA-related theories might be laughable, yet they stem from genuine concerns about Chris’s situation.
In essence, balancing message with entertainment requires a nuanced understanding of pacing, character development, and plot progression. It’s a delicate act, ensuring neither the entertainment value nor the message overshadows the other.
In conclusion, ‘Get Out’ stands as a beacon, illuminating the potential of cinema to both entertain and enlighten. Its masterful blend of personal narrative with broader societal critique provides invaluable lessons for aspiring screenwriters. By leveraging tools like writing prompts, grounding the narrative in reality, and carefully balancing entertainment with message, writers can craft stories that resonate deeply with audiences, urging them to look beyond the screen and into the society they inhabit. As ‘Get Out’ has shown, with the right approach, cinema can serve as a powerful medium for change, one story at a time.
✍️ Whether you’re mastering the art of dialogue, structure, or character development, the power of AI can be a game-changer in your writing journey. My Free Ebook, ‘AI for Authors’ delves into how AI-powered prompts can provide a unique edge to your storytelling process. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of supercharging your fiction skills, download your free copy today and explore new horizons in creative writing.
A.I. in Screen Trade 