Screenwriting : Writing Tension and Turning Points by Pamela Smith

Pamela Smith

Writing Tension and Turning Points

IT COULD GO EITHER WAY….

Anthropologist Irv Devore used to tell his class: if two human beings look into each other’s eyes anywhere on earth for more than six seconds, then either they’re going to have sex or one of them is going to kill the other one.

“How Common Knowledge Shapes the World” with Steven Pinker

On STAR TALK with Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTQsOBLEIV8

It’s at minute 26:50

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the video, Pamela Smith. And if two people are in on something and they're communicating with a stare.

Facial expression is a great tool in screenwriting! Sometimes I write dialogue, then change it to a facial expression. Or I have the character look down, look away, sigh, etc.

Pamela Smith

Good points, Maurice. Thanks for extending the info.

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Pamela Smith. You're welcome. And when a person is trying to intimidate someone.

Andrés Yang

Love the part about the contrasts between the things that are verbalized, interpreted and misinterpreted through body language. So much can be gleaned from a relationship and the personalities involved just by the kind of attention the people/characters show each other.

Pamela Smith

Right you are, Andres. And the more we can infuse our writing with that dynamic the better. Thanks for your comments.

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