Simple Technique for Structuring Scenes

Here’s a simple but powerful editing technique: edit scenes by starting at one emotional polarity and traversing to its opposite. The result? Dramatic punch.

I first learned this technique from screenwriting guru Robert McKee, author of Story. For example, the scene could begin with the protagonist stuttering nervously and end with them melting into a hug.

Why does moving from one emotional polarity to its opposite create dramatic tension? Think of a skater creating forward motion by pushing off in one direction and then the other.

You can also create polarity by butting two different-feeling scenes against one other. The first scene may feel calm, the next scene may feel frightening.

Learn more about adapting narrative storytelling techniques to documentary films in my free, evergreen article Reality in Three Acts.