There are two basic methods of writing scripts. Either one based on a character or one based on a situation.

One example I like to use with regards to character based scripts is Titanic. Some would say that it was based around a situation – being on the titanic when it sank, but in reality the film was based around leonado di caprio and kate winslett’s characters. This movie could have been set on any boat and told the same story, it’s just the fact that having it on the titanic is obviously an extremely good setting for it to happen.

In the current day most films, well most mainstream films, tend to be based on character rather than the situation of the plot. Take films such as twilight – whilst being a vampire film the key core theme it comes down to is the love between edward and bella, which is a sort of romeo and julliet tale of forbidden love.

A situation based film would be one based on a war, an alien invasion, the end of the world, etc. However most modern films still use characters to connect with the audience.

Would you consider 2012 to be character based or situation based? The premise of the film is that the world will end in 2012, which is situation based but despite the fact that the whole world is going to end the film follows one man making it at the end of the day a character based film.

How is this useful to us?
When brainstorming ideas you should decide whether to use a character based story or situation based one. This way the focus of your film will be clear.

Task
Create an outline for a character based film and a situation based film. Making them a couple of paragrpahs each.