| By John Finnegan
Active questions are one of the most crucial elements of any screenplay. They drive the narrative, engage the audience, and give your story purpose. Despite their importance, many screenwriters often overlook the potential of active questions, leaving them to chance rather than strategically integrating them into their scripts. By planning and mapping these questions and their answers before you even start writing, you can achieve a much clearer understanding of your story’s direction and structure.
What Are Active Questions?
An active question is any question raised by the story that compels the audience to keep watching in search of an answer. For example, in a murder mystery, the primary active question might be, "Who killed them?" Secondary questions may include, "Why did they do it?" or "How will they get caught?" Similarly, in a heist film, a central question could be, "Will they succeed in robbing the bank?"
Active questions act as the backbone of your narrative. They give the audience something to anticipate, keeping them emotionally and intellectually invested. While some stories revolve around a single active question, more complex narratives often use multiple questions, with each act posing a new one. This not only guides your writing but also provides a clear structure to your screenplay.
The Power of Active Questions in Structuring Your Story
For many writers, focusing on one overarching active question is sufficient. However, to create a truly engaging narrative, consider introducing a new active question in each act. This approach keeps the audience intrigued and provides natural transitions between acts. Additionally, breaking your story into smaller questions can help overcome writer’s block. Instead of being overwhelmed by the bigger picture, you can focus on resolving the current act’s active question.
Let’s explore this concept using a case study of The Truman Show.
Case Study: The Truman Show
The Truman Show follows Truman Burbank, a man who discovers that his entire life has been a staged reality television show. The film revolves around three primary active questions:
How will Truman realise the reality of his situation?
How will he use this new knowledge?
Will he escape?
Breaking Down the Questions:
How will Truman realise the reality of his situation?
The drama here lies not in whether Truman will uncover the truth—the audience already knows he will. The suspense comes from wondering how he will figure it out. The filmmakers build tension by showing subtle cracks in Truman’s world, culminating in a dramatic revelation.
How will he use this new knowledge?
Once Truman realises his predicament, the focus shifts to what he will do with this information. Will he confront the people around him? Will he devise an escape plan? Watching Truman navigate his artificial world provides both humour and emotional depth, keeping the audience engaged.
Will he escape?
The final act centres on Truman’s daring attempt to leave the fabricated world. The audience is kept on edge, wondering whether he will succeed against the show’s powerful creator, Christof. The resolution provides a satisfying answer to the story’s ultimate question.
Each question seamlessly transitions into the next, providing a clear narrative structure while keeping the audience invested.
How to Hook Your Audience: Tips for Using Active Questions Effectively
Start with Strong Core Questions:
Identify the primary question that drives your story. For example, in a romance, it might be, "Will they end up together?" In a thriller, it could be, "Can they catch the killer in time?"
Layer Your Questions:
Don’t rely on a single question to sustain your story. Introduce secondary questions that align with character arcs, subplots, or thematic elements.
Use Questions to Structure Your Acts:
Assign a specific active question to each act. The resolution of one question should naturally lead to the next, creating a fluid and cohesive narrative.
Keep the Audience Engaged:
Avoid making your questions too predictable. While the audience may anticipate certain outcomes, the journey to those answers should be filled with surprises, twists, and emotional beats.
Incorporate Smaller Questions:
Beyond the primary and act-specific questions, include smaller, scene-level questions to maintain tension and intrigue. For example, "Will the protagonist make it to the meeting on time?"
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
One of the biggest mistakes writers make is relying too heavily on a single active question. If the audience can predict every possible scenario, they may lose interest. Think of a mystery novel: while the main question may be "Who did it?", a great story will also explore "How?" and "Why?", adding depth and complexity. Similarly, a well-crafted narrative often includes a third-act twist that reframes the story’s questions entirely.
Final Thoughts
Active questions are the engine of your screenplay. By carefully crafting and layering these questions, you can create a compelling narrative that keeps the audience hooked from start to finish. Remember to:
Develop multiple active questions that align with your story’s structure.
Ensure your questions resonate with what the audience is looking for.
Use the resolution of each question to propel your story forward.
Whether you’re writing a murder mystery, a romantic comedy, or a sci-fi epic, mastering active questions will help you craft a screenplay that engages, entertains, and resonates with your audience.
Happy writing!
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