The Third Act: Writing a Great Ending to Your Screenplay by Yanno Drew

Author:Yanno, Drew [Yanno, Drew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pellegrino Press
Published: 2016-01-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The Bridge

So far we have examined the four essential elements of a strong third act on the way to writing a great ending. However, earlier I mentioned a fifth element that is sometimes part of that structure and often essential to creating that great ending.

I call this element “the bridge”.

The name comes about because this scene or these scenes act to connect the outcome of the final battle to the last scene or action of the main character. It is used whenever the writer and/or the film maker feels that some explanation is required in order for the reader/audience to fully understand and appreciate what is to follow after the outcome of the final battle. Most often, it helps to explain why the main character is doing what they are doing in the film’s final scene or scenes.

You’ll notice that this element involves explanation, which is just another word for “exposition”, as that term is used in screenwriting. Anytime anything is “explained” in a movie, it is “exposition”. But, despite what you may have read or heard, exposition is not a dirty word. Some screenwriting instructors speak of exposition as if it is something to be avoided when writing a screenplay. Not true. What these critics really object to is bad exposition or exposition that is so obvious as to call attention to itself.

Every script/movie requires some exposition. Otherwise, we may not fully understand or appreciate what we are seeing. Good writers write exposition in such a way as to make it appear natural and unobtrusive. And the same goes for “the bridge”, which is a specific bit of exposition that (sometimes) occurs in the third act, following the outcome of the final battle.

Note that exposition coming so late in a film is rare. In normal circumstances, any information that the audience needs in order to fully understand and appreciate the story will likely have to be given long before the third act. And especially long before the outcome of the final battle. Heck, by the time we get there, we better understand what’s going on. But there are exceptions, which is what this chapter is all about.

Again, let me emphasize that not all scripts/films require a bridge. In fact, most don’t. But there are times when it is necessary for us to fully comprehend and appreciate the ending.

Let’s look at some of the films we have talked about so far where there is no bridge and discuss why that is so:

(1) Rocky

As you recall, the outcome of the final battle (the fight) is that Rocky lasts the entire fifteen rounds. In the denouement that follows, we learn that Rocky has lost the fight in a split decision. In the midst of this announcement, Rocky calls for Adrian, not even caring about the judges’ decision. Adrian, with the help of her brother Paulie, manages to sneak into the ring where she and Rocky embrace and express their love for one another. We freeze on their embrace. The end.

Since the final shot is that of Rocky and Adrian embracing, there is no need for any explanation.

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