4.2 Inciting incidents and turning points

Inciting incidents and turning points are crucial elements in television pilots. They kickstart the story, disrupt the protagonist's world, and keep viewers hooked. These narrative devices introduce central conflicts, raise stakes, and propel characters into action.

Crafting effective incidents and turns requires careful planning. They should organically arise from character actions and choices, balancing surprise with inevitability. By analyzing successful examples, writers can learn to create impactful moments that engage audiences and set up compelling series arcs.

Inciting incidents

• Inciting incidents are the events or moments that disrupt the protagonist's status quo and set the story in motion
• They introduce the central conflict or problem that the protagonist must overcome, propelling them into the main storyline
• Inciting incidents are crucial for engaging the audience and establishing the stakes of the narrative

Purpose of inciting incidents

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• Inciting incidents serve to create a significant change in the protagonist's life, forcing them to take action
• They introduce the main conflict or challenge that the protagonist will face throughout the story
• Inciting incidents raise questions and create tension, hooking the audience and compelling them to continue watching
• They establish the protagonist's goals and motivations, setting the direction for their character arc

Types of inciting incidents

• External inciting incidents involve events or actions that happen to the protagonist, such as a job loss, a mysterious message, or a sudden threat
• Internal inciting incidents arise from the protagonist's own desires, decisions, or realizations, such as a personal epiphany or a long-held secret coming to light
• Inciting incidents can be positive (receiving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity) or negative (experiencing a devastating loss), but they always create a significant change

Placement in story structure

• Inciting incidents typically occur within the first act of the story, often around the 10-15% mark of the narrative
• They should be placed after the setup, where the protagonist's ordinary world and status quo have been established
• Inciting incidents bridge the gap between the setup and the main storyline, propelling the protagonist into the rising action of the second act

Turning points

• Turning points are significant events or revelations that alter the direction of the story and the protagonist's journey
• They introduce new information, challenges, or complications that force the protagonist to make critical decisions and adapt their approach
• Turning points are essential for maintaining narrative momentum, raising stakes, and keeping the audience engaged

Function of turning points

• Turning points serve to escalate the conflict and raise the stakes for the protagonist, increasing the tension and drama
• They introduce new obstacles or revelations that complicate the protagonist's journey and force them to reassess their goals and strategies
• Turning points can shift the power dynamics between characters, create unexpected alliances or betrayals, and reveal hidden motives
• They provide opportunities for character growth and development as the protagonist navigates new challenges and makes difficult choices

Major vs minor turning points

• Major turning points are the most significant events that fundamentally change the direction of the story and the protagonist's journey (the midpoint and the climax)
• Minor turning points are smaller-scale events or revelations that still impact the story and characters but do not alter the overall trajectory as dramatically (plot twists and revelations)
• The number and placement of turning points can vary depending on the story structure and genre, but most narratives have at least two major turning points (at the end of Act 1 and Act 2)

Relationship to act structure

• Turning points often coincide with the transitions between acts in a traditional three-act structure
• The first major turning point usually occurs at the end of Act 1, propelling the protagonist into the main conflict and rising action of Act 2
• The midpoint is a significant turning point that marks a shift in the story, often introducing a new complication or revelation that raises the stakes
• The second major turning point happens at the end of Act 2, leading to the climax and resolution of Act 3

Crafting effective incidents and turns

• Creating impactful inciting incidents and turning points requires careful planning and execution to ensure they serve the story and characters effectively
• They should be integral to the plot, arising organically from the characters' actions, choices, and conflicts rather than feeling contrived or disconnected
• Effective incidents and turns balance surprise and inevitability, feeling both unexpected and logical within the context of the story

Raising stakes and consequences

• Inciting incidents and turning points should raise the stakes for the protagonist, increasing the consequences of their actions and decisions
• They can introduce new dangers, obstacles, or time pressures that heighten the urgency and tension of the narrative
• Raising the stakes can involve personal, interpersonal, or external consequences, such as jeopardizing relationships, facing moral dilemmas, or confronting life-threatening situations
• The stakes should escalate throughout the story, with each turning point making the consequences more significant and the protagonist's journey more challenging

Character impact and growth

• Effective incidents and turns should have a profound impact on the protagonist, forcing them to confront their flaws, fears, or desires
• They provide opportunities for the protagonist to make difficult choices that reveal their true character and test their values and beliefs
• Turning points can trigger significant emotional or psychological shifts in the protagonist, catalyzing their growth and development
• The protagonist's reactions to inciting incidents and turning points should be consistent with their established character while also pushing them to evolve and adapt

Pacing and narrative momentum

• The placement and frequency of inciting incidents and turning points influence the pacing and narrative momentum of the story
• They should be spaced out strategically to maintain a sense of tension and progress, avoiding long stretches without significant events or revelations
• The pacing can be adjusted by varying the intensity and scale of incidents and turns, alternating between quieter character moments and high-stakes action or conflict
• Effective pacing keeps the audience engaged and eager to see how the protagonist will navigate each new challenge or revelation

Inciting incidents in television pilots

• In television pilots, inciting incidents play a crucial role in establishing the central conflict, setting the tone, and hooking the audience
• They introduce the unique premise or high-concept element that distinguishes the series from others in its genre
• Pilots have limited time to capture the audience's attention and interest, making the inciting incident especially critical

Establishing the central conflict

• The inciting incident in a pilot should clearly establish the central conflict that will drive the series, whether it's an external threat, a personal challenge, or a societal issue
• It should introduce the protagonist's main goal or problem, setting the stage for their ongoing journey throughout the series
• The central conflict should be compelling and relatable, tapping into universal themes or timely issues that resonate with the target audience
• Examples: In "Breaking Bad," the inciting incident is Walter White's cancer diagnosis, which drives him to start cooking meth to secure his family's financial future

Hooking the audience

• Pilot inciting incidents need to be particularly engaging and attention-grabbing to hook the audience and convince them to invest in the series
• They should introduce a unique or intriguing premise, a compelling character, or a high-stakes situation that leaves the audience wanting more
• The inciting incident should raise questions and create anticipation for how the story will unfold, encouraging viewers to tune in for future episodes
• Examples: In "Lost," the inciting incident is the plane crash on a mysterious island, immediately creating a sense of danger, mystery, and intrigue

Pilot-specific considerations

• Pilots have the added challenge of introducing the world, characters, and tone of the series while also delivering a satisfying standalone story
• The inciting incident should be integrated seamlessly into the pilot's exposition and setup, avoiding an overload of information or a rushed pace
• It should establish the series' core themes and conflicts in a way that feels organic and promises ongoing development and exploration
• Examples: In "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," the inciting incident of Midge's husband leaving her is woven into the setup of her seemingly perfect 1950s life, establishing the series' themes of female empowerment and self-discovery

Turning points in television pilots

• Turning points in television pilots serve to escalate the conflict, introduce new complications, and set up future storylines for the series
• They can differ in function and placement compared to feature films, as pilots need to balance the demands of episodic and serialized storytelling
• Pilots often have fewer major turning points than films, focusing more on establishing the premise, characters, and central conflict

Episodic vs serialized storytelling

• In episodic series, where each episode tells a self-contained story, the turning points in the pilot may be more focused on the immediate conflict and resolution
• Serialized series, with ongoing storylines spanning multiple episodes or seasons, may use the pilot's turning points to set up long-term arcs and mysteries
• Many series blend episodic and serialized elements, using turning points to advance both standalone stories and overarching narratives
• Examples: "Law & Order" is primarily episodic, with turning points focused on solving the case of the week, while "Game of Thrones" is heavily serialized, with turning points setting up complex character arcs and political machinations

Setting up future episodes and seasons

• Pilot turning points can introduce subplots, supporting characters, or world-building elements that will be explored in future episodes and seasons
• They may hint at larger mysteries, conflicts, or character backstories that will gradually unfold over the course of the series
• These turning points should create a sense of potential and promise, giving the audience a taste of the series' scope and ambition
• Examples: In "Stranger Things," the turning point of Will's disappearance sets up the ongoing mystery of the Upside Down and the government conspiracy that will span multiple seasons

Cliffhangers and revelations

• Pilots often end with a turning point that serves as a cliffhanger or revelation, leaving the audience eager to see what happens next
• Cliffhangers create a sense of urgency and anticipation, encouraging viewers to tune in for the next episode to see how the story unfolds
• Revelations can introduce new information or context that reframes the audience's understanding of the characters or situation, creating a desire to explore the implications
• Examples: In "Westworld," the pilot ends with the revelation that the hosts are becoming self-aware, setting up the central conflict and mystery of the series

Analysis of inciting incidents and turns

• Analyzing the inciting incidents and turning points in successful television pilots can provide valuable insights and lessons for aspiring writers
• By examining how these key moments are crafted and executed, writers can identify effective strategies and techniques for their own work
• Analysis involves evaluating the impact and effectiveness of incidents and turns in relation to character development, theme, pacing, and audience engagement

Examples from successful pilots

• "Breaking Bad": The inciting incident of Walter's cancer diagnosis is a powerful catalyst for his transformation and the series' exploration of morality and identity
• "The Sopranos": The turning point of Tony's panic attacks introduces the central conflict between his criminal life and his mental health, setting up the series' themes of family, loyalty, and psychology
• "Mad Men": The inciting incident of Don's hidden past being revealed to the audience establishes the series' central mystery and the theme of identity and reinvention
• "The Wire": The turning point of the murder investigation being compromised by political pressure sets up the series' critique of institutional dysfunction and corruption

Evaluating effectiveness and impact

• When analyzing inciting incidents and turning points, consider how well they serve the story, characters, and themes of the series
• Evaluate their impact on the protagonist's journey, the escalation of conflict, and the development of stakes and consequences
• Assess how effectively they engage the audience, create anticipation, and encourage further investment in the series
• Examples: In "Stranger Things," the inciting incident of Will's disappearance is effective in establishing the central mystery, introducing the core characters, and setting the tone of nostalgia and supernatural intrigue

Applying lessons to own writing

• Studying successful examples can help writers identify best practices and avoid common pitfalls in crafting their own inciting incidents and turning points
• Consider how to adapt and apply these lessons to your own unique premise, characters, and genre, while staying true to your creative vision
• Experiment with different types of inciting incidents and turning points, testing their impact on your story's pacing, tension, and character development
• Seek feedback from trusted readers or mentors to gauge the effectiveness of your incidents and turns, and be open to revision and refinement
• Remember that mastering the craft of inciting incidents and turning points takes practice, patience, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures