2.7 Internal and external conflicts

Conflict is the lifeblood of storytelling in film and TV. It drives narratives forward, engages audiences, and reveals character depths. Understanding different types of conflict allows writers to craft compelling stories that resonate with viewers on multiple levels.

Internal and external conflicts work together to create multifaceted narratives. Internal struggles add depth to characters, while external obstacles provide tangible challenges. Combining these conflict types creates rich, layered stories that reflect the complexities of real-life experiences.

Nature of conflict

• Conflict serves as the fundamental driving force in storytelling for film and television, propelling narratives forward and engaging audiences
• Understanding different types of conflict allows writers to create compelling and multifaceted stories that resonate with viewers
• Effective use of conflict in storytelling enhances character development, plot progression, and thematic exploration

Internal vs external conflict

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• Internal conflict occurs within a character's mind or emotions, involving personal struggles, doubts, or moral dilemmas
• External conflict involves characters facing obstacles or opposition from outside forces (other characters, nature, society)
• Both types of conflict can coexist and intertwine to create complex and engaging narratives
• Internal conflicts often manifest through character actions, dialogue, and non-verbal cues
• External conflicts typically drive the visible plot and create tangible obstacles for characters to overcome

Psychological vs physical conflict

• Psychological conflict involves mental or emotional struggles, such as fear, guilt, or inner turmoil
• Physical conflict encompasses tangible challenges or confrontations (fights, natural disasters, physical obstacles)
• Psychological conflicts can be portrayed through character introspection, dialogue, and subtle behavioral changes
• Physical conflicts often provide visual spectacle and action-driven plot points in film and television
• Combining psychological and physical conflicts adds depth to characters and storylines

Conflict as story engine

• Conflict propels the narrative forward by creating tension, obstacles, and goals for characters to pursue
• Introduces stakes and consequences, raising audience investment in the story's outcome
• Drives character development by forcing protagonists to face challenges and grow
• Provides opportunities for plot twists, revelations, and unexpected turns in the story
• Maintains audience engagement by creating questions and uncertainties about how conflicts will be resolved

Internal conflicts

• Internal conflicts focus on the inner struggles of characters, adding depth and complexity to their personalities and motivations
• These conflicts often reflect universal human experiences, making characters more relatable and engaging for audiences
• Exploring internal conflicts allows writers to delve into themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and moral ambiguity

Character flaws and weaknesses

• Represent inherent traits or behaviors that hinder a character's progress or happiness
• Create opportunities for character growth and development throughout the story
• Can include insecurities, fears, or negative personality traits (perfectionism, stubbornness)
• Often serve as obstacles to achieving goals or maintaining relationships
• May be rooted in past experiences or traumas, adding depth to character backstories

Moral dilemmas

• Present characters with difficult choices between conflicting ethical principles
• Force characters to confront their values and beliefs, leading to internal turmoil
• Can involve choosing between personal gain and moral integrity
• Often result in significant character development and transformation
• Provide opportunities for exploring complex themes and philosophical questions

Conflicting desires or goals

• Occur when characters have multiple, incompatible objectives or wishes
• Create tension as characters struggle to prioritize or reconcile their desires
• Can involve conflicts between personal ambition and relationships (career vs family)
• Often lead to difficult decisions and sacrifices for the character
• Provide opportunities for exploring themes of identity and personal values

Identity struggles

• Involve characters questioning or grappling with their sense of self
• Can include conflicts related to cultural identity, gender, or personal beliefs
• Often arise during periods of transition or personal growth (coming-of-age stories)
• May involve characters trying to reconcile different aspects of their identity
• Provide opportunities for exploring themes of self-discovery and acceptance

External conflicts

• External conflicts involve characters facing challenges or opposition from outside forces, creating tangible obstacles and dramatic tension
• These conflicts often drive the visible plot and provide opportunities for action, adventure, and spectacle in film and television
• Understanding different types of external conflicts allows writers to create diverse and engaging storylines across various genres

Person vs person

• Involves direct opposition or conflict between characters with conflicting goals or values
• Can include rivalries, antagonistic relationships, or competition for resources or objectives
• Often results in verbal confrontations, physical altercations, or strategic maneuvering
• Provides opportunities for character development through interactions and power dynamics
• Can explore themes of human nature, morality, and the complexities of relationships

Person vs nature

• Pits characters against natural forces, environmental challenges, or survival situations
• Can include conflicts with weather events, wildlife, or harsh landscapes
• Often explores themes of human resilience, adaptability, and the power of nature
• Provides opportunities for visually stunning set pieces and intense action sequences
• May involve characters facing their own limitations and vulnerabilities in the face of nature

Person vs society

• Involves characters struggling against societal norms, institutions, or cultural expectations
• Can explore themes of rebellion, social justice, or individual freedom
• Often includes conflicts with authority figures, government systems, or social prejudices
• Provides opportunities for commentary on real-world issues and social dynamics
• May involve characters fighting to change societal norms or find their place within them

Person vs technology

• Focuses on conflicts between characters and technological advancements or artificial intelligence
• Can explore themes of human nature, ethics in technology, and the impact of progress
• Often involves characters grappling with the consequences of technological innovation
• Provides opportunities for speculative storytelling and exploration of future scenarios
• May include conflicts related to privacy, control, or the blurring lines between human and machine

Combining conflict types

• Combining different types of conflicts adds depth and complexity to storytelling in film and television
• Layering multiple conflicts creates more engaging and realistic narratives that reflect the complexities of real-life experiences
• Skillful combination of conflicts allows writers to explore characters and themes from multiple angles

Layering internal and external conflicts

• Intertwine internal struggles with external challenges to create multidimensional storylines
• Use external conflicts to reveal or exacerbate internal conflicts within characters
• Create tension between a character's internal desires and external obligations or expectations
• Explore how internal conflicts influence a character's approach to external challenges
• Provide opportunities for character growth through the resolution of both internal and external conflicts

Conflict escalation techniques

• Gradually increase the stakes or intensity of conflicts as the story progresses
• Introduce new obstacles or complications that build upon existing conflicts
• Use time pressure or deadlines to heighten tension and urgency
• Reveal hidden connections between seemingly unrelated conflicts
• Employ plot twists or revelations that deepen or transform existing conflicts

Balancing multiple conflicts

• Ensure that each conflict receives appropriate attention and development
• Use subplots to explore secondary conflicts without overshadowing the main storyline
• Create interconnections between different conflicts to maintain narrative cohesion
• Vary the pacing and intensity of different conflicts to maintain audience engagement
• Prioritize conflicts based on their importance to character development and thematic exploration

Conflict resolution

• Conflict resolution plays a crucial role in storytelling, providing satisfying conclusions and character growth
• The process of resolving conflicts often reveals important themes and messages within the narrative
• Effective conflict resolution can leave lasting impressions on audiences and provide catharsis

Character growth through conflict

• Use conflicts as catalysts for personal development and transformation
• Show characters learning from their struggles and applying new insights
• Demonstrate changes in behavior, attitudes, or relationships as a result of overcoming conflicts
• Explore how characters' perspectives or values shift through the process of facing challenges
• Use internal conflicts to drive external actions and decisions, leading to growth

Resolving internal conflicts

• Show characters confronting and acknowledging their inner struggles
• Depict moments of self-reflection, introspection, or epiphany
• Illustrate characters making difficult choices that align with their true values
• Demonstrate the process of self-forgiveness or acceptance of past mistakes
• Use symbolic or metaphorical representations of internal conflict resolution (dreams, visions)

Overcoming external obstacles

• Showcase characters using problem-solving skills and resourcefulness
• Depict the importance of teamwork and collaboration in overcoming challenges
• Illustrate characters facing their fears or pushing beyond their perceived limitations
• Show the impact of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity
• Explore unexpected or creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems

Conflict in different genres

• Different genres in film and television utilize conflict in unique ways to meet audience expectations and genre conventions
• Understanding genre-specific approaches to conflict allows writers to create engaging stories within established frameworks
• Skillful manipulation of genre tropes and conflict types can lead to innovative and surprising narratives

Conflict in drama vs comedy

• Drama often focuses on serious, emotionally charged conflicts with high stakes
• Comedy frequently uses conflicts as sources of humor, misunderstandings, or absurd situations
• Dramatic conflicts tend to explore deeper psychological or societal issues
• Comedic conflicts often revolve around character flaws, miscommunications, or social faux pas
• Both genres can use conflicts to reveal character traits and drive personal growth

Action-driven vs character-driven conflicts

• Action-driven conflicts emphasize external challenges, physical confrontations, and plot-based obstacles
• Character-driven conflicts focus on internal struggles, relationships, and personal growth
• Action-driven narratives often feature clear antagonists and high-stakes external goals
• Character-driven stories explore nuanced interpersonal dynamics and emotional journeys
• Both approaches can be combined to create well-rounded and engaging narratives

Genre-specific conflict tropes

• Romance: Conflicts often revolve around obstacles to love, misunderstandings, or competing suitors
• Science fiction: Explores conflicts between humanity and advanced technology or alien civilizations
• Horror: Focuses on conflicts involving survival, fear, and the unknown or supernatural
• Mystery: Centers on conflicts related to uncovering truth, solving puzzles, or exposing deception
• Fantasy: Often involves conflicts between good and evil, magical forces, or quests for power or artifacts

Writing techniques

• Effective writing techniques for conflict in film and television enhance storytelling and audience engagement
• Skillful introduction and development of conflicts create compelling narratives and character arcs
• Understanding various conflict-related writing techniques allows writers to craft more nuanced and impactful stories

Conflict introduction methods

• Begin in medias res, dropping the audience into the middle of an existing conflict
• Use foreshadowing to hint at upcoming conflicts or challenges
• Introduce conflicts through character interactions, dialogue, or internal monologues
• Employ inciting incidents that disrupt the status quo and initiate the main conflict
• Gradually reveal layers of conflict as the story progresses, building complexity

Sustaining conflict throughout story

• Create interconnected conflicts that build upon one another
• Use subplots to maintain tension when the main conflict is temporarily resolved
• Introduce new complications or obstacles that prevent easy resolution
• Employ reversals or setbacks that force characters to reassess their approach
• Maintain a balance between moments of conflict and brief respites to avoid exhausting the audience

Subtext and implied conflicts

• Use subtext in dialogue to hint at underlying tensions or unspoken conflicts
• Employ visual cues or symbolism to represent internal struggles or hidden conflicts
• Create contrast between characters' words and actions to imply internal conflict
• Use environmental elements or props to suggest underlying tensions (ticking clocks, stormy weather)
• Develop backstory elements that inform current conflicts without explicitly stating them

Visual representation

• Visual representation of conflict in film and television enhances storytelling by utilizing cinematography, production design, and visual metaphors
• Effective visual techniques can convey complex internal and external conflicts without relying solely on dialogue or exposition
• Understanding visual storytelling methods allows filmmakers to create more immersive and impactful narratives

Cinematography for internal conflicts

• Use close-ups to capture subtle facial expressions and emotions
• Employ handheld or unstable camera movements to convey inner turmoil
• Utilize depth of field to isolate characters and emphasize their internal struggles
• Implement contrasting lighting techniques to represent conflicting aspects of a character's psyche
• Use point-of-view shots to immerse the audience in a character's perspective during moments of internal conflict

Externalization of internal struggles

• Create visual metaphors or symbolic representations of internal conflicts
• Use mirror imagery to depict characters confronting their inner selves
• Employ dream sequences or hallucinations to externalize subconscious conflicts
• Utilize color grading or filters to represent different emotional states or inner struggles
• Incorporate visual motifs that recur throughout the story to represent ongoing internal conflicts

Set design and conflict symbolism

• Use contrasting environments to represent conflicting aspects of a character's life
• Incorporate symbolic objects or props that represent internal or external conflicts
• Design sets with physical obstacles or barriers to mirror characters' emotional challenges
• Utilize changing weather or natural elements to reflect the progression of conflicts
• Employ visual juxtaposition of elements within the frame to represent conflicting forces or ideas

Audience engagement

• Engaging audiences through conflict is essential for creating compelling narratives in film and television
• Effective use of conflict can evoke emotional responses, maintain viewer interest, and create memorable storytelling experiences
• Understanding audience engagement techniques allows writers and filmmakers to craft more impactful and resonant stories

Creating relatable conflicts

• Develop conflicts that reflect universal human experiences or emotions
• Ground fantastical or high-concept conflicts in relatable personal stakes
• Use conflicts to explore contemporary issues or societal concerns
• Create multidimensional characters with believable motivations and flaws
• Balance extraordinary circumstances with relatable emotional responses

Emotional investment in character struggles

• Develop well-rounded characters with clear goals and vulnerabilities
• Show the personal cost of conflicts to increase audience empathy
• Use character relationships to heighten the emotional impact of conflicts
• Employ moments of triumph and setback to create an emotional rollercoaster
• Explore the long-term consequences of conflicts on characters' lives and relationships

Conflict and viewer expectations

• Establish clear stakes and potential outcomes to create anticipation
• Subvert genre conventions or tropes to surprise and engage viewers
• Use pacing and timing to build tension and maintain audience interest
• Create moments of catharsis or resolution to satisfy viewer expectations
• Balance predictability and surprise to keep audiences invested in the story's outcome

Analysis of conflict

• Analyzing conflict in film and television provides valuable insights into storytelling techniques and cultural influences
• Studying successful examples of conflict in media helps writers and filmmakers refine their own approaches to narrative construction
• Understanding the evolution of conflict in storytelling allows creators to innovate and push the boundaries of the medium

Case studies in film and TV

• Examine classic films known for their compelling conflicts (Casablanca, The Godfather)
• Analyze long-running TV series to understand how conflicts evolve over multiple seasons (Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones)
• Study genre-defining works to identify effective conflict techniques (Star Wars for sci-fi, The Shawshank Redemption for drama)
• Explore independent or art house films for unique approaches to conflict (Memento, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
• Analyze animated films and series to understand how conflicts are portrayed across different mediums (Pixar films, Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Cultural influences on conflict portrayal

• Examine how different cultures represent and resolve conflicts in their storytelling
• Analyze the impact of historical events on conflict themes in film and television
• Explore how societal values and norms influence the types of conflicts portrayed in media
• Study the evolution of conflict representation in response to changing social attitudes
• Analyze cross-cultural adaptations to understand how conflicts are reinterpreted for different audiences

Evolution of conflict in storytelling

• Trace the development of conflict portrayal from early cinema to modern filmmaking
• Examine how technological advancements have influenced the depiction of conflicts (special effects, CGI)
• Analyze the impact of changing audience expectations on conflict complexity and resolution
• Study the influence of other media (literature, video games) on conflict representation in film and TV
• Explore emerging trends in conflict portrayal across different platforms and formats (streaming services, interactive storytelling)