Introduction
As screenwriting newbies, we’re often told that our scripts must be original, gripping, and packed with excitement right from the start. This often means cramming in details and action to make an immediate impression. Yet, in the current entertainment landscape, there’s a clear penchant for sequels and long-form adaptations of existing IPs, whether from books or previous productions. However, this doesn’t mean there’s no place for original work. Many productions, like The Bear and Baby Reindeer (originally a one-man show), have succeeded while offering fresh and original storytelling.
What Do Prequels Offer?
Prequels provide a unique opportunity to delve deeper into established stories and characters, offering fans further insight into the origins and motivations that drive them. For example, Mad Max: Furiosa promises to fill in the gaps of the popular Mad Max: Fury Road, enriching the viewing experience whether the films are watched separately or together. When interconnected stories resonate with audiences, they create a stronger attachment, making viewers eager for more content from the same IP.
While a sequel can offer another instalment of a successful IP, often a characters arc is complete and so it can be difficult to manufacture another flaw for a character to overcome. When I say this, there are contradictions such as James Bond or Marvel where characters tend to remain unchanged from one film to the next. Those films tend to be more about the spectacle rather than depth and/or a change of character. What a prequel can offer is a story that perhaps shows the formulation of a characters fear or flaw. Or at the very least you’d expect your character to inhibit the same characteristics that gets them into entertaining situations.
Films like Pearl, part of the X trilogy, give us a deeper understanding of characters who were not initially the focus. Similarly, Better Call Saul expands on Saul Goodman’s backstory from Breaking Bad. Initially, Saul’s history might not have seemed essential, but the prequel has crafted an empathetic and tragic narrative that enhances the overall saga. Prequels ensure a character arc, guaranteeing development and transformation, which is essential for compelling storytelling.
Long-Form TV
When an IP is popular, it’s no surprise that producers want to maximize its potential by offering longer stories and more screen time. This benefits both producers and fans, as it allows for exploring intricate details and secondary characters. Consider Amazon’s Rings of Power, HBO’s House of the Dragon, and the numerous Star Wars series on Disney+. The sheer volume of content can be overwhelming, making it hard to keep up with everything while balancing a full-time job and other commitments. How do people do it?!
Longform TV results generally in longer character arcs, and slower change. You should pay attention and notice how episodes still offer change, and resolutions, often on a smaller scale to the overriding theme. Also notice the theme within the theme – a show may be about a good guy turning bad, but a particular episode may have something else to say along the way, maybe one episode they try buck the trend and be good, only to be pulled back into their old ways. When you’re writing a pilot script consider the show arc, the series/season arc, and also your episode arc.
Joking aside, a potential downside of long-form TV is the time commitment required to stay updated. However, it also provides a deeper engagement with the story and characters, proving that the journey is often more significant than the destination. This is evidenced by the mixed reactions to the finales of The Sopranos, Lost and Game of Thrones. While the endings sparked debate, the journeys themselves remained impactful and their popularity has never waned as a result.
Endings
A strong ending that is true to the characters and themes is crucial. However, if a series loses momentum midway, the ending becomes irrelevant. The journey and character development are key to maintaining audience interest. Change and growth within the story keep viewers engaged and invested.
To speak out of turn, I tend to dislike the ending of stories, especially series. I prefer ambiguity over closure, but, I understand the need for some stories to reach satisfying conclusions. I do think we can all agree that strong characters and an entertaining adventure (whatever that means to you) is key to a successful story.
Summary
Don’t lose hope in your work. Exploring prequels can help you understand your characters better, even if the audience doesn’t see or know of every detail you have on a character or their journey. Focus on writing interesting characters on set them off on compelling journeys. Trim the fat from your stories, ensuring that every element supports the theme and tone. This doesn’t necessarily mean a breakneck pace but rather a focus on meaningful content that enhances the narrative.