Violence shouldn't be presented as drama. I think people looking for an easy way out often write scenes where characters come into violent conflict as opposed to looking for the true drama in the situation. That's a shortcoming of a lot of films and television shows. I think certain presentations of violence are not immoral, but amoral.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Violence should not be used as a cheap dramatic shortcut; the true drama lies in the situation, not the conflict.
- In plain terms
- Violence is often overused as an easy way to create drama instead of finding real conflict.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek genuine tension rather than relying on violent acts.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is violence necessary in storytelling?
- How do you write tension without violence?
Another view
Sometimes violence is the only realistic outcome of a situation.
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