3. How to be lighthearted without ruining the tone?

How to be lighthearted without ruining the tone?

[Possibly] Create humor in the cinematic presentation, while still representing the serious character goals that move the plot along.

I'll share that this is something I've pondered on a lot when outlining a "The Thing"/"Alien" kind of sci-fi story, but I want the thematic elements to feel more like a parody without ruining the tension (sort of like "Slither").

So I made a moment where a SMASH CUT defies the desire of those opposing the protagonist. I consequently made the protagonists transitional victory a joke without altering the characterization or structure. This also enabled skipping through time past some of the more unnecessary conflict, and brought a resolution to side-characters that are no longer relevant.

[I.E.] The protagonist has acquired the strength to overcome these nurses on an orbiting spaceship.

The protagonist wants access to an escape pod, but the nurses deny giving up the code.

One of the nurses sneakily grabs a Taser and confidently shoots the Protagonist, ignorant to the fact that it would be ineffective.

A shot of the Protagonist reaction, looking fed up.

SMASH CUT TO: the entire orbiting spaceship crash-landing onto the planets surface.

/r/Screenwriting Thread
Previous
Next

Recently removed from /r/Screenwriting

Some late night thoughts about this industry & race A few months ago I got a lot of great advice on my short script "I'm Glad We Met" and made lots of edits. I finally produced the film and premiered it this weekend! So...The Matrix is "The Gold Standard" IMHO. What is yours? I'm a UK agent repping screenwriters, AMA Why AI is not going to replace screenwriters ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery‘ Script: Read Rian Johnson’s Sequel Screenplay Music in screenplays... how do I win? William Goldman on sending a script to an exec: "You only get one shot." Give me a song, and I'll write a short scene based on it A few fun gems from my meeting with a seasoned screenwriter 34 page script, 27 minute film? Script: For Wes Anderson’s Eyes Only I recently landed my first two gigs as a freelance screenwriter How to write a good detective story if you're not a detective yourself? Hopefully Hopeless (TV Series)

More Random Comments

Official Discussion: Logan [SPOILERS] Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? ‘I am not a drunk’: Female passenger in cabbie sex assault case responds Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? [DISCUSSION] I will write 1 feature screenplay each month for the next year. Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? Trudeau says marijuana legislation expected by summer Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? Is ADC really dead? Is APC bot better? Tilapia skin is being tested as a better alternative to traditional bandages Have you ever (correctly) had a gut-feeling to dislike someone who, on the surface, was a cool person that everybody else liked? What's that story? 600$ gaming rig