Script Writing: Rasing the Stakes on the Protagonist

A protagonist without a reason to solve a problem, without personal issues, and has no connection the active conflict in the story will become uninteresting. There would not be a reason for the reader to hope for the protagonist's success. There would not be a reason for the reader to finish reading the script. A writer can avoid this by increasing the stakes on the protagonist - making the situation more competitive- to make him or her more interesting. A writer's creative writing skills will improve.

Personal Stakes
One way is to increase the personal stakes of the protagonist. This can be done by going beyond what he or she wants to do. Personal stakes must tel why the protagonist goal and his or her action that must be done to accomplish the goal matters profoundly and personally to the protagonist. The more it maters to the protagonist the more it will matter to the reader. A protagonist has a main reason for doing what he or she must do. Outer motives, such as saving the family farm or winning a contest are easy to devise form plot circumstances. However, inner motives such as gaining confidence, personal strength, or love, can be a more powerful drive to a character.

Ultimate Stakes
Test the protagonist to the ultimate. When situations or like experiences tests people to the utmost the stronger their motives become. The deepest convictions arise and people find that they care even more. They are more determined than before to preserver and persist in overcoming the problems and obstacles of the story. At the point of being tested to the ultimate the deepest and true feelings are summoned.

Outward Stakes
Raising outward stakes involves making things worse. This is done by showing that there is more to loose. There will be an even greater disaster if the protagonist does not make the situation come out okay. Raising outward stakes works best for thrillers, mysteries, action, adventure, science fiction, and fantasy movies. The stakes affect more than the protagonist. They affect a world, a group of people, or a community.

Positioning the Stakes
The raised stakes should be positioned in the script in away that will enhance the story. First of all, the personal stakes should be established at the beginning of the script, within pages 1- 30. Here the protagonist's life changes when an inciting incident occurs. This incident should be compelling enough to increase the personal stakes of the protagonist. This would be compelling enough to draw the protagonist into the situation giving him or her no choice but to take action on the matter.

Next the outward stakes should be established in the middle of the script after page 30 to page 90. Hear the protagonist will see that the problem or conflict affects more than just him or herself. It affects everyone or someone precious and dear. The protagonist realizes that if he or she does not take action people other than him or her will be adversely affected.

Finally the ultimate stake should be established in the final part of the script, after page 90 to the last page. This is where the big defining event takes place. The protagonist's deepest convictions will arise as he or she faces the final battle or must make the crucial decision.

Raising the stakes on the protagonist can make him or her more engaging and make the story more interesting.