If you beat out movies while you’re watching them to see how they work, you might think there’s something to the whole formula thing.
There is, partly. Eventually. But it doesn’t have anything to do with developing your story, or even writing your script.
Here’s a story:
Writer friend gets a great idea. Whips out The List (or wheel, or flowchart, or storymapping software) and starts cramming the story in to make it fit. Then the story – SCREAM! – disappears!
Organic emotional flow in screenplays is not caused by templates. It is caused by writers speaking without impediment from the throbbing center of their souls.
Take the time to tell yourself your whole story, beginning to end, before you beat it into submission.*
*bonus pun