Developing story is the process of taking your idea for a screenplay, film or TV project and turning it into a fleshed-out narrative. This is where you start to think about character, conflict and plot – all the things that make up your story. It’s also where you consider how your story’s elements work together to build a rich and satisfying experience for the audience.
The best way to approach this is to think of your story as holistic, and that means considering how each plot point impacts the rest. In other words, plot impacts character which in turn impacts theme which in turn impacts genre. Each piece of the puzzle should inform all of the other pieces, but it’s also important that each piece be able to stand alone and transcend its parts.
For example, your character’s goals and motivations create conflict that drives the story. This conflict, in turn, leads to a series of progressive complications that culminate in your story’s climax. These complications reveal more about your characters and deepen their emotional journey. Similarly, your story’s antagonist (literal or figurative) is an additional element that heightens conflict by pushing your character to the limits.
You may even want to include narrative devices like eavesdropping, half-heard information and misunderstood messages to further heighten tension and develop your character’s world. Finally, don’t forget that a key aspect of conflict is what your character wants versus what they’re willing to sacrifice to get it. This reveals their true character and ideally demonstrates the theme of your story.
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