Screenwriting Beyond the Paradigms: Creative Thinking and Script Development

Abstract

Creativity is a staple of many screenwriters’ lives, but when it comes to using that creativity to help with real story problems, do the two meet comfortably? Are screenwriters even aware of what creativity means, and how it can be learned and applied to their practice? Certainly in much of the screenwriting guides and training available, the focus is on models, templates and paradigms. But what about the theory and practice of creativity? What role does psychology play in the screenwriter’s creative process? And how might creativity theory help the screenwriter to overcome story stumbling blocks? This chapter will outline a fresh approach to screenwriting—practice, teaching and training—that encourages writers to understand and harness their creative skillset, and with these acquired skills, deal with complex problems by playing, taking risks and daring to fail during the script development process.