As a genre, tragedy scriptwriting needs special handling because the writer must be emotionally involved to get the best results. A tragic script has been defined as an art form that brings pleasure to the audience through the representation of the suffering of the characters. It may sound quite paradoxical but the beauty of a tragic story lies in the struggle and downfall of one or more of the main characters. The extreme pain resulting from a series of calamities, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unavoidable circumstances has a magical effect on the audience.
Tragedy screenwriting has long been viewed with a degree of deference due to the skill required to do a good job. The tragic element has to be so realistic that viewers of the movie, TV series, or play must begin to identify with the person in pain. In this way, the script is likely to gain more recognition from the writer, director, and viewers. When people engage with artists, their senses are engrossed to the point where they can begin to silently cry for them. This is exactly what good tragedy scriptwriting is all about: seizing the minds and hearts of the audience.
While not simple, writing tragedy scripts is also not a Herculean task. A few hints and you’ll be an expert on tragic literary effusions.
* Equip yourself by reading lots of heartbreaking scripts and start getting used to writing about disastrous situations. The more you read, the more comfortable you will become with tragedies. Use the time well to build a believable plot and each action must have logical repercussions.
* Make a thorough planning on all aspects of the tragic story. Any event that does not fit into the culminating catastrophe will not suffice.
* Take your time to write. The interim periods help you think of new ways to represent the lurking misfortune. Revise several times until you have polished the script to your satisfaction. Your hard work will surely be richly rewarded.
Have others evaluate your work. Tragedy scriptwriting has a smooth flow so the opinion of others can go a long way. Get your final script read by honest people and not by those who are likely to only give you positive feedback. Instead, encourage constructive criticism from those with proven experience in the field of screenwriting.
