The Inciting Incident in Filmmaking and Novel Writing
The Inciting Incident in Filmmaking and Novel Writing
For the purposes of my discussion on a film screenplay inciting incident and how it can be integrated into the writing of a fiction novel, I chose to preview the 1941 Film Screenplay of "The Wolf Man." This screenplay was produced by Universal Pictures. After describing the definition of the inciting incident and its application in the classic motion picture "The Wolf Man," I will provide an excerpt of the inciting incident from my epic medieval fantasy book, "The Wolves of Trisidian."
Definition of the Inciting Incident
According to Reference.com, "An inciting incident is an event that sets the plot of a book, movie or play into motion. This normally occurs after the background and setting have been given. The inciting incident is usually followed by the rising action of the plot, which is the basic build up of conflict that leads to the climax. There may be several other points involved in the rising acting, but it should all stem from the inciting incident. The plot points that come after the inciting incident will always be related back to that point because it is the launching point that sets the character on a journey." (Reference.com, 2016).
Inciting Incident in the Classic Flm -- "The Wolf Man"
The inciting incident in the screenplay for the film "The Wolf Man" begins when Larry and Gwen are walking in the woods and they hear a wolf howling. When they hear their friend Jenny scream, Larry rushes to help her. He then sees her laying on the ground being attacked by a fierce wolf. Larry then pulls the wolf off of Jenny and beats it to death with a silver-handed walking cane. As Gwen rushes up, she finds Jenny dead and Larry badly bitten.
The script to this inciting incident reads as follows:
EXT. - The Path Leading To Bela's Tent - Night - Long Shot.
In the moonlight, below a great tree, lies Jenny. Above her stands a huge animal, a wolf. Larry runs into the scene.
EXT. - Woods - Night - Med. Close - Larry and the Wolf.
Larry stops as he sees the wolf and Jenny. The beast turns, and looks at him with eyes like burning coals. Larry sees the animal crouch -- he lifts his cane, ready to smash it over the animal's head. The wolf springs forward to attack him.
EXT. - Woods - Another Angle.
The animal jumps at Larry. Larry crashes the silver handle of his stick down on the wolf's head, but the beast hangs on.
EXT. - Woods - Close Shot.
The wolf's head, he teeth tearing Larry's coat right over his heart, to shreds. Larry hits the animal with his left fist, and stumbles back.
EXT. - Woods - Med. Close.
The beast attacks him again, but Larry crashes his stick over the animal's skull... once... twice... The wolf collapses.
Discussion of the Inciting Incident in "The Wolf Man"
This inciting moment is where Larry begins to suffer an inner battle. He begins to fear that he is now turned into a werewolf. This incident actually hooks the audience with a deep emotional, yet rational response. The event tugs at the audience's feelings. The Wolf Man is a scary creature; however, he is also lonely and different than everyone else. Even though the Wolf Man is scary to the audience, the fact that he is tormented by a body that has gone out of control causes the audience to feel sympathetic and sorry for the story character. In actuality, the Wolf Man is an underdog. As the protagonist of the story, the Wolf Man at the moment of the inciting incident has a conflict that may or may not seem solvable. With the limited willpower he has to not be a werewolf coupled with his intellectual, emotional, social, and physical capacities against the antagonistic people and environment in which he exists, the Wolf Man appears to be overwhelmed as his balance of life is turned upside down.
The above video "Larry is Bitten - The Wolf Man (1941)" was uploaded by Moonlight Dawn. to YouTube. This video is not associated with the author of the article contained in this post nor does it imply any endorsement of the video's content by the article's author. No copyright infringement is intended; it is being provided here as "fair use" as part of this social commentary, historical reference, fair use blog. "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for 'fair use' for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." Use of the Inciting Incident Principle of Filmmaking in Novel Writing
I incorporated an inciting incident in the writing of my epic medieval fantasy novel, The Wolves of Trisidian. The following excerpt from my novel depicts the inciting incident in the scene where Squire Geoffrey Talbot's trusted friend, Lucian Randall from Castle Trisidian, appears at the Gates of Castle Stonehaven. Lucian is a refugee from Castle Trisidian. He is bringing a secret message to the Lord Alexander of Stonehaven. On his own accord, Lucian wants to tell Lord Alexander a clandestine message about his father, Lord Randall of Trisidian. Within an hour after Lucian’s arrival at his castle, Lord Alexander assembles the Knights of Stonehaven in the Great Hall to listen to Lucian’s message. When Geoffrey sees Lucian in the Great Hall, Lucian's eyes are earnest and intent about something. Suddenly, his expression stills and grows even more sober than before. He is focusing on something terrible. Whatever is on his mind, it is deeply grave and serious. With this background in mind, here is my excerpt with the inciting incident in The Wolves of Trisidian novel. Everything prior to this point in time was background, but everything after this point is the actual story in the novel of The Wolves of Trisidian.
Inciting Incident in The Wolves of Trisidian
When Lord Alexander walked into the assembly of the Great Hall, all of the knights stood at attention. The assembly was reverentially quiet. Lord Alexander broke the awkward silence and said to the knightly assembly, “Today, Lucian Randall, the son of Lord Draegan Randall of Trisidian, comes to us with a covert message.” Turning to Lucian, Lord Alexander said, “Share your message freely.”
Lucian said, “Thank you, my Lord.” Turning to the assembly, he said, “Knights of Stonehaven, I come here today on my own volition. My father, Lord Randall, does not know I am here, nor does he know what I am about to say.”
After hearing Lucian’s words of introduction, I knew in my heart that another significant conflict and dilemma was now about to be introduced to our tormented Land of Jandor. I felt it in my bones. Something paramount had to occur for Lucian to step out against Lord Randall in such a secretive manner. I stood still, pensively waiting for what was coming next.
Lucian looked at the assembly with a tight strain upon his face. His expression intensified. He said, “Lord Randall of Trisidian has sent an Army of Black Wolves and Dark Riders to attack the City of Granador. To survive such an attack, the citizens of Granador will need the assistance of the Jandor Alliance.”
Sir Vezian asked, “How large of an army, and when is this attack scheduled to occur?
Lucian said, “The deployed Army of Trisidian is comprised of four Centuriae, a total of 320 Dark Riders with an equal number of Black War-Wolves. The attack is scheduled to occur 3 days from now. They will attack from the north as a swarm of hornets through the Plain of Granador.”
Discussion of the Inciting Incident in The Wolves of Trisidian: As you can see, the inciting incident in The Wolves of Trisidian fiction novel takes place early in the First Act of the story and it sets into motion a conflict that may or may not seem solvable to Lord Alexander of Stonehaven. The inciting incident also has a direct effect upon the protagonist, Squire Geoffrey Talbot, since he will be ordered to deploy with the Army of Stonehaven to engage in an upcoming major battle to stop the Army of Trisidian from attacking the unwalled City of Granador.
REFERENCES
Reference.com Website. (2016). "Q: What is an inciting incident?." Retrieved on 20 August 2016 from https://www.reference.com/education/inciting-incident-8b86c25c4f2d7d54#
Note: For a more detailed discussion of the filmmaking and how it applies to a film director, read Techniques of the Film Masters (ISBN 978-1435743472). The book is available in paperback print as well as digital download in Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Apple iBook formats.
For the purposes of my discussion on a film screenplay inciting incident and how it can be integrated into the writing of a fiction novel, I chose to preview the 1941 Film Screenplay of "The Wolf Man." This screenplay was produced by Universal Pictures. After describing the definition of the inciting incident and its application in the classic motion picture "The Wolf Man," I will provide an excerpt of the inciting incident from my epic medieval fantasy book, "The Wolves of Trisidian."
Definition of the Inciting Incident
According to Reference.com, "An inciting incident is an event that sets the plot of a book, movie or play into motion. This normally occurs after the background and setting have been given. The inciting incident is usually followed by the rising action of the plot, which is the basic build up of conflict that leads to the climax. There may be several other points involved in the rising acting, but it should all stem from the inciting incident. The plot points that come after the inciting incident will always be related back to that point because it is the launching point that sets the character on a journey." (Reference.com, 2016).
Inciting Incident in the Classic Flm -- "The Wolf Man"
The inciting incident in the screenplay for the film "The Wolf Man" begins when Larry and Gwen are walking in the woods and they hear a wolf howling. When they hear their friend Jenny scream, Larry rushes to help her. He then sees her laying on the ground being attacked by a fierce wolf. Larry then pulls the wolf off of Jenny and beats it to death with a silver-handed walking cane. As Gwen rushes up, she finds Jenny dead and Larry badly bitten.
The script to this inciting incident reads as follows:
EXT. - The Path Leading To Bela's Tent - Night - Long Shot.
In the moonlight, below a great tree, lies Jenny. Above her stands a huge animal, a wolf. Larry runs into the scene.
EXT. - Woods - Night - Med. Close - Larry and the Wolf.
Larry stops as he sees the wolf and Jenny. The beast turns, and looks at him with eyes like burning coals. Larry sees the animal crouch -- he lifts his cane, ready to smash it over the animal's head. The wolf springs forward to attack him.
EXT. - Woods - Another Angle.
The animal jumps at Larry. Larry crashes the silver handle of his stick down on the wolf's head, but the beast hangs on.
EXT. - Woods - Close Shot.
The wolf's head, he teeth tearing Larry's coat right over his heart, to shreds. Larry hits the animal with his left fist, and stumbles back.
EXT. - Woods - Med. Close.
The beast attacks him again, but Larry crashes his stick over the animal's skull... once... twice... The wolf collapses.
Discussion of the Inciting Incident in "The Wolf Man"
This inciting moment is where Larry begins to suffer an inner battle. He begins to fear that he is now turned into a werewolf. This incident actually hooks the audience with a deep emotional, yet rational response. The event tugs at the audience's feelings. The Wolf Man is a scary creature; however, he is also lonely and different than everyone else. Even though the Wolf Man is scary to the audience, the fact that he is tormented by a body that has gone out of control causes the audience to feel sympathetic and sorry for the story character. In actuality, the Wolf Man is an underdog. As the protagonist of the story, the Wolf Man at the moment of the inciting incident has a conflict that may or may not seem solvable. With the limited willpower he has to not be a werewolf coupled with his intellectual, emotional, social, and physical capacities against the antagonistic people and environment in which he exists, the Wolf Man appears to be overwhelmed as his balance of life is turned upside down.
The above video "Larry is Bitten - The Wolf Man (1941)" was uploaded by Moonlight Dawn. to YouTube. This video is not associated with the author of the article contained in this post nor does it imply any endorsement of the video's content by the article's author. No copyright infringement is intended; it is being provided here as "fair use" as part of this social commentary, historical reference, fair use blog. "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for 'fair use' for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." Use of the Inciting Incident Principle of Filmmaking in Novel Writing
I incorporated an inciting incident in the writing of my epic medieval fantasy novel, The Wolves of Trisidian. The following excerpt from my novel depicts the inciting incident in the scene where Squire Geoffrey Talbot's trusted friend, Lucian Randall from Castle Trisidian, appears at the Gates of Castle Stonehaven. Lucian is a refugee from Castle Trisidian. He is bringing a secret message to the Lord Alexander of Stonehaven. On his own accord, Lucian wants to tell Lord Alexander a clandestine message about his father, Lord Randall of Trisidian. Within an hour after Lucian’s arrival at his castle, Lord Alexander assembles the Knights of Stonehaven in the Great Hall to listen to Lucian’s message. When Geoffrey sees Lucian in the Great Hall, Lucian's eyes are earnest and intent about something. Suddenly, his expression stills and grows even more sober than before. He is focusing on something terrible. Whatever is on his mind, it is deeply grave and serious. With this background in mind, here is my excerpt with the inciting incident in The Wolves of Trisidian novel. Everything prior to this point in time was background, but everything after this point is the actual story in the novel of The Wolves of Trisidian.
Inciting Incident in The Wolves of Trisidian
When Lord Alexander walked into the assembly of the Great Hall, all of the knights stood at attention. The assembly was reverentially quiet. Lord Alexander broke the awkward silence and said to the knightly assembly, “Today, Lucian Randall, the son of Lord Draegan Randall of Trisidian, comes to us with a covert message.” Turning to Lucian, Lord Alexander said, “Share your message freely.”
Lucian said, “Thank you, my Lord.” Turning to the assembly, he said, “Knights of Stonehaven, I come here today on my own volition. My father, Lord Randall, does not know I am here, nor does he know what I am about to say.”
After hearing Lucian’s words of introduction, I knew in my heart that another significant conflict and dilemma was now about to be introduced to our tormented Land of Jandor. I felt it in my bones. Something paramount had to occur for Lucian to step out against Lord Randall in such a secretive manner. I stood still, pensively waiting for what was coming next.
Lucian looked at the assembly with a tight strain upon his face. His expression intensified. He said, “Lord Randall of Trisidian has sent an Army of Black Wolves and Dark Riders to attack the City of Granador. To survive such an attack, the citizens of Granador will need the assistance of the Jandor Alliance.”
Sir Vezian asked, “How large of an army, and when is this attack scheduled to occur?
Lucian said, “The deployed Army of Trisidian is comprised of four Centuriae, a total of 320 Dark Riders with an equal number of Black War-Wolves. The attack is scheduled to occur 3 days from now. They will attack from the north as a swarm of hornets through the Plain of Granador.”
Discussion of the Inciting Incident in The Wolves of Trisidian: As you can see, the inciting incident in The Wolves of Trisidian fiction novel takes place early in the First Act of the story and it sets into motion a conflict that may or may not seem solvable to Lord Alexander of Stonehaven. The inciting incident also has a direct effect upon the protagonist, Squire Geoffrey Talbot, since he will be ordered to deploy with the Army of Stonehaven to engage in an upcoming major battle to stop the Army of Trisidian from attacking the unwalled City of Granador.
REFERENCES
Reference.com Website. (2016). "Q: What is an inciting incident?." Retrieved on 20 August 2016 from https://www.reference.com/education/inciting-incident-8b86c25c4f2d7d54#
Note: For a more detailed discussion of the filmmaking and how it applies to a film director, read Techniques of the Film Masters (ISBN 978-1435743472). The book is available in paperback print as well as digital download in Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Apple iBook formats.
No comments have been added yet.
