The Professional Pen
THE PROFESSIONAL PEN
  • LOGIN/register
  • HOME
  • WHERE DO I START?
  • LEARN
    • COURSES
    • MASTER CLASSES
    • WORKBOOKS
  • DEVELOPMENT NOTES
  • CONSULTATIONS
  • COMMUNITY
  • ABOUT

The Blog

HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION for your screenplay

6/15/2023

0 Comments

 
screenplay resolutions
Every screenplay needs a resolution. No matter the format, the resolution is a crucial story element that completes the screenplay. But what is the resolution in a screenplay and how can you ensure that your screenplay has one? In this article, we are breaking down resolutions and discussing three core elements for effective resolutions. ​

WHAT IS A RESOLUTION?

The resolution is the moment after the climax and resolves the main story (or A story) in this world, even if there are more stories to be told. Not everything has to be resolved but it is imperative that the main story is resolved and we either see the solution to the protagonist's problem or their new normal. 

​Having an effective resolution doesn't mean that everything has to be tied up neatly with a bow. There can still be more story to be told, but whether the character reaches their goal needs to be clear and resolved and poses the question of what will the protagonist's life look like now. Let's take a look at three elements that all screenplay resolutions need to ensure that your screenplay has an effective ending.

3 TIPS TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION  ​

1. Make sure that the protagonist’s goal is clear. The goal should be clear before we are out of Act I. It is important to know the goal so that when we reach the resolution, we know exactly what we are resolving. If we don’t see the protagonist trying to reach a goal through the screenplay then the resolution will not feel earned. To learn more about how to set effective goals for your protagonist check out our All About Goals article. 

​2. The protagonist needs to reach their internal need, even if they don’t reach their external goal. Not all goals need to be reached, but the internal goal does need to be met to ensure the protagonist has a strong emotional arc. The protagonist doesn’t necessarily have to win the battle and live happily ever after, but they do need to have a clear transformation from where they started to where they end. Their journey must change them to make the adventure and resolution worthwhile. 
​

3. All set ups should be paid off. Everything in a screenplay matters. If something was set up, foreshadowed, or brought to our attention in the previous acts, it all needs to be resolved by or in the resolution. Leave no stone unturned. Otherwise, your reader will have more questions than answers and the resolution will be unclear.

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Picture
Let’s take a look at Disney’s remake of The Little Mermaid which hit theatres a few weeks ago. #SpoilerAlert.
Ariel has several goals throughout the film which we are able to easily track so that the resolution feels earned. First, her goal is to be in the world with humans. Her second goal is to get kissed by Prince Eric so that she can regain her voice, keep her legs, and fall in love. Her last goal is to defeat Ursula and avenge her Father. Ariel’s internal need is to explore the human world. The obstacle that stands in her way is her Father who is fearful of humans because they killed his wife. In the resolution, both her internal need and external goals have been met. She receives her Father’s approval to be in the human world and is granted legs. She marries Prince Eric, who also has a curiosity about the world, and the two set out to explore the world together. There are no set ups that haven’t been paid off. The main story is concluded and Ariel gets her happily ever after.
​Watching movies is great but as a screenwriter, reading screenplays is even better. Want to read more screenplays? Be sure to check out our Screenplay Vault where we have dozens of screenplays available to read for free.

IT ALL STARTS WITH THE OUTLINE

If your prior story elements are not clear, then neither will your resolution be. A screenplay builds upon itself, so if your Act I doesn’t establish a goal and we have nothing to track in Act II, then your resolution won’t land. Making sure your screenplay has all of the necessary story elements happens in the outlining phase. Looking to up your outlining game? Then be sure to check out our Outlining Workbook Packages for features or television, the ultimate guide for setting up your screenplay!
​

Happy Writing!

AUTHOR

Khadija Roane is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the illustrious Howard University where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts. Khadija then graduated from UCLA's MFA Producers program where she interned in film and television development at MACRO, Vertigo Films, Gamechanger Films, and Pamplona Productions before working as a Scripted TV Assistant at WME. She has placed in the Pittsburgh Shorts Screenwriting Competition and the Atlanta Film Festival, and received the Barbara Boyle Promising Producer Award. Khadija lives in Los Angeles where she is an independent filmmaker and a Story Expert at The Professional Pen.
Khadija Roane, Story Expert at The Professional Pen


Tweet
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ABOUT
    ​THE PROFESSIONAL PEN

    TPP is a script consultancy that offers mentorship through 1:1 coaching and membership through our BFF writing community to writers seeking a professional career in screenwriting.
    Work with a Coach

    Archives

    December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 April 2020 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 November 2015 October 2015

    Categories

    All Film Reviews Reviews Rewrite Screenplay Elements Script Notes EXPLAINED! TV Reviews Writer Advice

    RSS Feed



    Best Friends Forever
    Join our FREE writing community.
    A safe space to learn and grow in screenwriting.


    No Judgement. No Pressure. Just Writing.
    JOIN NOW

Find it Here

About

  • About Us
  • Testimonials​
  • Project Formats
  • ​Policies + Agreements​
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
SCHEDULE A CALL

LEARN

  • Screenwriting Courses​ 
  • Update Stripe Account
  • Screenwriting Master Classes
  • Screenwriting Workbooks​​​

COACHING

  • Where do I start?
  • Consultations​
  • Development Notes
  • Submit a Revised Draft
  • Submit a Short Film Script
  • Mentorship​
  • Executive Training Program

#FreeGame

  • $1 Screenwriting Community
  • Blog
  • Screenplay Vault​​​​

Business services

  • Development Consulting
  • Script Coverage Services
  • ​College Speaker Series
READ THE BLOG
Become Best Friends with TPP to enjoy exclusive screenwriting benefits
Gain access to:
  • Exclusive monthly office hours
  • Industry guest speakers
  • Scriptwriting workshops​
BECOME A BFF
READ SCREENPLAYS

Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 The Professional Pen
LogIn
  • HOME
  • WHERE DO I START?
  • LEARN
    • COURSES
    • MASTER CLASSES
    • WORKBOOKS
  • DEVELOPMENT NOTES
  • CONSULTATIONS
  • COMMUNITY
  • ABOUT
Newsletter Signup