10 Screenwriting Lessons You Can Learn From Star Trek Into Darkness
5. Answer Questions With More Questions
J.J. Abrams is famous for being secretive (well, some would say infamous). Abrams is obsessed with mystery, believing it to be far more interesting than knowledge itself. It has worked pretty well for him so far, seeing that he has a built a career from this concept.
What helps move Star Trek Into Darkness along at a steady pace is the way mysteries are placed in the film. We get a hint of something that makes us wonder just what is going on. And when we think were about to get the answer, we get smacked in the face with another question. Which makes us want the answers even more.
For example, we learn that something may be wrong with the torpedoes for which the crew is responsible. That question burns in our brain: what is so special about these torpedoes? Later, they decide to crack them open and find out. Our mind shouts YES! Were about to learn the answer! until we see that, inside the torpedoes are...people. Thus, our question is replaced with another: who are these people? And why are they stuck inside these torpedoes?
And so on and so forth. This string of mysteries keeps us glued to the screen. We desperately want to know the answers and wont be satisfied until we have them. If your script is devoid of mystery, you may want to take a second look at it. It could mean the difference between a good film and a great one.