Captivating Audiences with a Fresh Perspective on True Crime
Let’s cut to the chase: True crime has been done to death—pun intended. Whether it’s podcasts, documentaries, or books, it’s a genre that’s flooded with options. However, every once in a while, a gem like “Mindhunter” comes along and revitalizes the whole landscape. It forces us to sit back and ponder: what makes this show so magnetic?
The brilliance of “Mindhunter” lies in its approach to the true crime genre. It doesn’t just give us a bird’s-eye view of criminal investigations; it delves into the psychology of criminals. Instead of focusing solely on the “who” and “what,” it spends an extraordinary amount of time on the “why.” Herein lies its freshness: It zooms into the minutiae of criminal profiling and psychology, making it unique in a sea of true-crime dramas.
The show takes us back to the late 1970s when the FBI started taking an interest in the psychological aspects of crime. You could argue that it follows a police procedural format, but the execution makes it unlike any other. The storytelling style incorporates procedural elements in a way that pushes the narrative, rather than constrains it.
We get close and personal with agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, as they explore and question their own moralities, limitations, and the bureaucratic maze they find themselves in. When you have characters as complex as these, storytelling becomes a multi-layered exercise in depicting human psychology.
This narrative perspective change is vital for writers in any genre. The art of storytelling evolves with time, and being rooted in old forms can make your work appear stale. So, whether you’re involved in creative writing or screenwriting, always remember that fresh angles are indispensable. If you’re looking for writing tips, then this is it: Be inventive, take risks, and don’t be afraid to deviate from the norm. Your stories should aim to add a new hue to the existing color palette of your chosen genre. A unique voice or perspective can make even the most explored subjects feel novel and engaging.
The mastery of “Mindhunter” isn’t just in its subject matter but in how it approaches that subject. Take, for instance, the dialogue. This show doesn’t believe in spelling everything out for its audience. The investigators wrestle with abstract ideas, forcing the audience to grapple alongside them. This isn’t just great storytelling; it’s a brilliant screenwriting tip. Why? Because it respects the audience’s intelligence and creates room for interpretation. If you’re writing a screenplay, never underestimate your audience’s ability to grasp subtleties. Provide them with enough breadcrumbs to make their way through the narrative forest but don’t lay out an entire paved road.
This show also serves as a masterclass in pacing. While “Mindhunter” focuses on the grim details of serial killers, it does so without rushing. It takes its time to set the stage, letting the tension build, much like a slow-burn thriller. This is especially effective for creating suspense, one of the key elements that keep audiences hooked. Pacing is an essential part of screenplay structure, and here it works like the slow tick of a clock that you know will eventually strike midnight.
What further sets “Mindhunter” apart is its commitment to historical and psychological accuracy. From its representation of the Behavioral Science Unit to the painstakingly crafted dialogues between FBI agents and imprisoned killers, the show goes the extra mile to make everything believable. This accuracy doesn’t just make for compelling television, it’s also a critical aspect of good storytelling. This attention to detail resonates well with audiences, offering both educational and entertainment value.
There’s something to be said about doing your homework before you dive into writing, especially if you’re dealing with subjects that require a certain level of expertise or sensitivity. And here’s a writing tip: Always prioritize depth over breadth. You can tell when a writer has only skimmed the surface of a subject; it sticks out like a sore thumb and ultimately cheapens the narrative.
Dissecting the Screenplay Structure of ‘Mindhunter’
Ah, the seductive power of well-crafted screenplay structure. Anyone familiar with “Mindhunter” knows that it has this in spades. The show may use the trappings of a procedural, but it goes far beyond that, embracing a multi-episode narrative arc that doesn’t just entertain but educates. This is a masterclass in screenwriting, a goldmine for anyone pondering the depths of writing a screenplay.
Screenwriting Tips Unveiled Through the Show
One of the remarkable screenwriting tips you can lift from “Mindhunter” is the employment of subtext in dialogues. Subtext is the unspoken or less obvious meaning or message in literary or dramatic text, and it’s crucial for adding depth to your script. The dialogues between the main characters—Holden Ford, Bill Tench, and Wendy Carr—often hinge on what is not being said. Their conversations teeter on the edge of personal and professional, and the subtext holds layers of tension, conflict, and expectations. This technique allows the audience to peel away layers over time, investing them more deeply in the narrative.
Utilizing Screenplay Structure to Build Suspense
“Mindhunter” embraces the three-act structure but tweaks it to fit its needs. Usually, the three acts consist of Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. While this framework remains in place, the show enjoys its flexibility, often stretching the confrontation (Act II) over multiple episodes.
For instance, the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) killer’s storyline runs across two seasons, an extended form of confrontation that keeps viewers consistently engaged. This dramatic tension is essential in a genre that relies heavily on psychological thrills. Moreover, it’s a great way to build suspense, which is the lifeblood of any true crime drama.
Character Development through Screenplay Structure
The series takes an ensemble approach, with characters like Holden Ford and Bill Tench having well-defined arcs that spread across seasons. However, the show subtly makes everyone a point-of-view character at some time, allowing for comprehensive character development. It does this by using an episodic storyline for the supporting characters, giving them their own ‘mini-arc’ within the larger framework. This is particularly effective because it doesn’t let any character become a mere prop. Each has a defined role and complexity, making the story richer and more believable.
The Unique Pacing and Episodic Nature
One word to describe the pacing of “Mindhunter”? Deliberate. This isn’t your average ‘catch the killer in 40 minutes’ crime show. The pacing here is slow-burn to its core, allowing the tension to build naturally. Each scene is a stepping stone, each dialogue an unveiling, each episode a slow twist of the tension knob. If you’re new to writing screenplays, understand that pacing doesn’t mean speed; it means rhythm. And “Mindhunter” has rhythm in droves.
The show also differs from its peers by almost acting as a serialized drama within the guise of a procedural. Each episode does present a new case or a new angle to an ongoing investigation, but it never loses sight of the overarching narrative. This episodic nature allows for versatile storytelling, making room for different themes and subplots to be explored, and it serves as an excellent guide for those dealing with multi-layered narratives in their screenwriting projects.
The Craftsmanship of Writing True Crime Narratives: Lessons from ‘Mindhunter’
It’s one thing to appreciate a show like “Mindhunter” for its storytelling finesse, but another entirely to distill that appreciation into practical writing tips that can shape your own true crime narratives. Let’s dig into what makes the show a veritable classroom for writers.
Creating Complex Characters and Ethical Dilemmas
Ah, the characters of “Mindhunter”—they’re not just the moving gears in a plot machine; they’re living, breathing entities wrestling with ethical dilemmas. Holden Ford, for example, often grapples with the morality of empathizing with serial killers to understand them better. This adds another layer to his character, making him both relatable and flawed.
But how can you infuse such complexities into your characters? One approach is to give your characters ethical or moral dilemmas that challenge their principles or goals. Consider the infamous trolley problem, a philosophical question involving a moral dilemma. Introducing such a choice in your storyline can create both character depth and narrative tension.
Writing Tips for Infusing Realism and Psychological Depth
“Mindhunter” leans heavily into the realm of psychological realism. The show’s essence is rooted in authentic FBI procedures, interviews with real serial killers, and the very real toll this kind of work takes on individuals and relationships. It reminds me of Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood,” another seminal work in the true crime genre. Like Capote, the creators of “Mindhunter” do their homework, grounding their narrative in meticulous research.
One of the key writing tips here is: do your research and don’t shy away from the gritty details. A well-placed fact or a detailed description of a procedure can lend your story the air of authenticity it needs to draw readers in. Also, consider exploring the psychological motivation behind crimes, just as “Mindhunter” does with its foray into criminal psychology. To write about complex psychological elements convincingly, consider diving into relevant academic texts or interviews with professionals in the field.
Writing Prompts Inspired by ‘Mindhunter’
To help you get started on your journey into true crime writing, here are a few writing prompts inspired by “Mindhunter”:
- The Interview: Write a scene where your protagonist, a young detective, has to interview a notorious criminal. Explore the psychological tension between them. How does the detective manage to dig deeper into the criminal’s mind without losing themselves?
- The Dilemma: Your main character is torn between two conflicting moral choices. One choice will help solve the case but at a great personal or ethical cost. What do they do?
- Fact and Fiction: Take a real-life crime case and fictionalize it. How would you inject the necessary narrative elements to make it both respectful to the real-life individuals involved and engaging to the reader?
- The Fallout: Write about the emotional and psychological toll that being involved in the solving of gruesome crimes takes on your character. How do they cope with it, and what impact does it have on their personal life?
- The Team: Often, crime-solving is a team effort. Write a scene where different experts come together to solve a case. Each expert has a unique personality and a different approach to the problem. How do they resolve their differences to come to a solution?
Writing true crime narratives can be an arduous but rewarding journey. By creating morally complex characters, rooting your story in researched realism, and exploring the intricate maze of human psychology, you can craft compelling stories that not only entertain but also challenge and enlighten your readers.
In the quest for mastering this intriguing genre, shows like “Mindhunter” offer more than mere entertainment—they offer a roadmap. So get writing, and don’t forget to let your characters grapple with the complexities of good and evil, just as you grapple with the words on the page. Because that’s where the real story lies—in the grey areas.
✍️ 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 