Imagine sitting down to watch a movie. Everything about it seems competent—the dialogue flows, the plot progresses logically, and the characters make sensible choices. But two hours later, you can barely remember what you watched.The film was good, but that's the problem. It was merely good, nothing more. What it lacked was an X factor.If you were having a nice steak dinner, it would be like the food lacking any seasoning: bland steak, plain potatoes. You’re full by the end, but not satisfied. If a character doesn’t experience any trials and has the perfect day… well, good for him, but not for you. You need seasoning. You need it to be a little exciting.In storytelling, that exciting seasoning is called the rising action.What is Rising Action?Rising action is the sequence of events in a narrative that builds tension, instigates conflicts, creates complications, and escalates the stakes for the characters.It typically follows a narrative structure: the introduction of the setting, characters, and initial conflict, and the inciting incident, gradually increasing in intensity, leading up to the climax.Key Characteristics of Rising ActionTypically spans the largest portion of the narrativeThe rising action takes up most of the story because it develops the conflict, builds suspense, and deepens character arcs. Without this gradual build-up of tension, the climax would seem rushed and confusing.Creates obstacles and complicationsAny story thrives on conflict, and the rising action is all about introducing obstacles into the protagonist’s path. These obstacles can be internal, such as self-doubt or fear, or...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today