Following feedback from my tutor report
of my last assignment, I wanted to get to grips with the concepts of
‘reversals’ so that I might include these elements within my own
screenplay. The Screen Writing Glossary (2013) describes
reversals as “A place in the plot where a character achieves the
opposite of his aim, resulting in a change from good fortune to bad fortune”. Hay (2010) comments that this
technique, “keeps
readers/audiences on their toes. The more you can SURPRISE a reader or viewer,
the more they will think of your story FAVOURABLY”.
In modern
cinema reversals are commonly used within the thriller and sci-fi genres. In John Deme’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Silence of the Lambs (1991), reversals
are used very early on when Clarice interviews Hannibal, knowing that she must
stay ‘in control’ of the conversation.
However, within the scene we see the power shift as Dr. Lector begins to
profile the young FBI agent.
Comedy
also provides opportunity to include many reversals, as giving the audience a
surprise is one of the overall aims.
Therefore, especially slapstick comedy relies on the ‘unexpected’
happening.
Whilst it
is important to maintain ‘believability’ within a story, it is also essential
to create drama. Therefore reversals
serve as an excellent way to create a realistic change to normal circumstances. Whether the reversal refers to a character or
an action, it provides an opportunity to enhance the story and move it forward
whilst further engaging the audience.
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