How To Write The Transformation Arc

3. Introduce a Catalyst

A catalyst is an event or situation that forces the character to start the transformation arc.

It should be something significant that challenges the character’s beliefs and forces them to reevaluate their choices. This could be a personal loss, a life-changing event, or a new opportunity.

• Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada: Starting a new job as an assistant to a demanding fashion editor forces Andy to change her appearance, behavior, and values.
• Phil Connors in Groundhog Day: Repeating the same day over and over again forces Phil to confront his flaws and become a better person.
• Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries: Learning that she is a princess and has to take on royal responsibilities forces Mia to transform from a shy teenager to a confident leader.
• William Miller in Almost Famous: Going on tour with a rock band forces William to confront his sheltered upbringing and grow as a person and a journalist.
• Daniel Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire: Losing custody of his children forces Daniel to transform into a new persona as a Scottish housekeeper to spend time with them.
• Marlin in Finding Nemo: Losing his son and going on a journey to find him forces Marlin to overcome his fear and overprotectiveness to become a better father.

A catalyst can vary widely, from personal loss to a new job or role, and can be a powerful force for transformation.

4. Show the Character’s Struggle

The transformation arc should should difficult, almost impossibly so at first.

They should struggle with their flaws and face obstacles that challenge them at every turn. This struggle makes the transformation arc compelling and realistic.

• Llewyn Davis in Inside Llewyn Davis: Struggles with personal and professional failure, and with the loss of his friend Mike.
• Derek Vinyard in American History X: Struggles with the consequences of his racist beliefs and actions, and with the influence he has on his younger brother.
• Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront: Struggles with his loyalty to his corrupt union boss, and with his desire to do the right thing and testify against him.
• Chris Washington in Get Out: Struggles with the racism of his girlfriend’s family, and with the realization that they are trying to transplant his consciousness into a white man’s body.
• Chiron in Moonlight: Struggles with his identity as a gay black man, and with the trauma he experienced as a child.
• Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump: Struggles with his intellectual disability, and with the challenges of navigating the world around him.

5. Show the Character’s Growth

The more the character faces their struggles, the more they should grow.

This growth should be gradual and realistic, evolving over time. It is essential to show the character’s growth through their actions, decisions, and mistakes and not solely through exposition.

• Amélie Poulain in Amélie: Overcoming her isolation and shyness through acts of kindness and helping others.
• Michael Oher in The Blind Side: Overcoming his difficult upbringing and lack of education to become a successful football player and student.
• Dominic Toretto in The Fast and the Furious: Learning to trust and work with others, and realizing the importance of family.
• Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network: Overcoming his social awkwardness and betrayal to become a successful entrepreneur and leader.
• Andy in Toy Story 3: Learning to let go of his childhood and move on to the next phase of his life.
• Mia in La La Land: Overcoming rejection and heartbreak to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress.

6. Resolve the Arc

Finally, the transformation arc should be resolved by the end of the movie.

The character should have achieved their goal, but they should also be a different person than they were at the beginning of the story. This should satisfy the audience and leave a lasting impression.

• Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day: Overcoming her fear and becoming a strong leader, while also protecting her son and preventing Judgment Day.
• Carl Fredricksen in Up: Overcoming his grief and opening up to new experiences, while also finding a new family with Russell and Dug.
• Jackie Brown in Jackie Brown: Outsmarting the people who were trying to manipulate her and coming out on top, while also finding a new sense of purpose in her life.
• T’Challa in Black Panther: Learning to become a better leader and embracing the legacy of his father, while also uniting Wakanda and fighting for what is right.
• Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction: Surviving a traumatic experience and making a new start in her life, while also gaining a new appreciation for the people around her.
• Rudy Ruettiger in Rudy: Achieving his dream of playing football for Notre Dame, while also proving to himself and others that he is capable of overcoming obstacles.

7. Use Symbolism and Imagery

Symbolism and imagery are both powerful tools in writing a transformation arc.

They can help reinforce the character’s journey and provide a deeper meaning to the story. For example, a character who starts the story surrounded by darkness may end up in a bright, sunny place at the end of the transformation arc.

• In The Truman Show, Truman’s realization that his entire life has been a television show is symbolized by the repeated appearance of a falling light, which represents the illusion of his perfect world crashing down around him.
• In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s journey from Kansas to Oz and back again is symbolized by the contrast between the black-and-white world of Kansas and the colorful, fantastical world of Oz.
• In A Clockwork Orange, Alex’s transformation from violent delinquent to reformed citizen is symbolized by classical music, starting as source of pleasure when committing violence, to eventually nauseating him after being tortured himself with it.
• In The King’s Speech, King George VI’s journey from stammering Duke to confident monarch is symbolized by his gradual mastery of public speaking, which begins with him struggling to read a simple sentence and ends with him delivering a rousing speech to his people.
• In The Social Network, Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from socially awkward programmer to lonely billionaire entrepreneur is symbolized by his repeated use of Facebook, which begins as a tool for connecting with others but eventually becomes a source of power and isolation.

8. Use Dialogue

Dialogue is another essential tool when writing a transformation arc. It can help show the character’s growth, reveal their inner thoughts and feelings, and provide insight into their motivations. Make sure that the dialogue is natural and authentic to the character’s personality.

• “I’m not a mistake! It all makes sense. In a comic, you know how you can tell who the arch-villain’s going to be? He’s the exact opposite of the hero. And most times they’re friends, like you and me! I should’ve known way back when… You know why, David? Because of the kids. They called me Mr. Glass.” – Elijah Price in Unbreakable
• “I just know there’s something dark in me and I hide it. I certainly don’t talk about it, but it’s there always, this Dark Passenger. And when he’s driving, I feel alive, half sick with the thrill of complete wrongness. I don’t fight him, I don’t want to. He’s all I’ve got. Nothing else could love me, not even… especially not me.” – Dexter Morgan in Dexter
• “I want to be normal. I want to be like other kids. To be able to go to school… hang out. I just want to be human. But I’m not.” – Clark Kent in Man of Steel
• “I’m tired of being afraid all the time. I’ve decided not to stay mad at you.” – Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump
• “I’m sorry I’m not perfect. But I’m trying.” – Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You
• “I just want to be happy. And I can’t do that with you.” – Joel Barish in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

9. Avoid Cliches

When writing a transformation arc, it is essential to avoid cliches. A cliche is a tired and overused plot device that can make the story feel predictable and boring. Instead, try to come up with unique and creative ways to show the character’s transformation.

Try to avoid these cliches in your movie script:

• The character suddenly gains a new skill that conveniently helps them achieve their goal.
• The character’s transformation is too sudden or unrealistic.
• The character’s transformation is solely due to a romantic relationship.
• The character’s transformation is only skin-deep, with no significant change in their beliefs or values.
• The character’s transformation is due to a deus ex machina, or a convenient plot device that solves all their problems.
• The character’s transformation is too predictable or formulaic, with no surprises or twists.

10. Stay True to the Character

The character’s journey should be organic and authentic, and their choices should be consistent with their personality and motivations. Don’t force the character to change to fit the plot; instead, let the transformation happen naturally.

11. Show, Don’t Tell

It’s important to remember the old adage “show, don’t tell” when writing a transformation arc. Instead of simply stating that the character has changed, show the audience the character’s new behavior and thought patterns. This will make the transformation feel more real and earned, rather than forced or unearned.

Here are some examples of “show, don’t tell” in a movie script:

• Instead of having a character say “I’m scared,” show them shaking, sweating, or looking around nervously to convey their fear.
• Instead of having a character say “I love you,” show them doing something thoughtful or romantic to express their feelings.
• Instead of having a character say “I’m sorry,” show them making amends or trying to make things right.
• Instead of having a character say “I’m happy,” show them smiling, laughing, or dancing to show their joy.
• Instead of having a character say “I’m angry,” show them yelling, throwing things, or storming out of a room to convey their rage.

12. Use Flashbacks

Flashbacks can be a powerful tool when writing a transformation arc.

They can show the audience the character’s past and how it has led them to their current state. By seeing the character’s past experiences and how they have affected them, the audience can better understand the character’s transformation.

• In The Godfather Part II, the flashbacks to Vito Corleone’s early life in Sicily provide insight into his character and motivations, while also showing the audience how he became the powerful mob boss he is in the present day.
• In Memento, the flashbacks to the protagonist’s past are shown in reverse order, providing a unique and disorienting perspective on his character and his motivations.
• In The Social Network, the flashbacks to Mark Zuckerberg’s early days at Harvard provide insight into his personality and his motivations for creating Facebook.
• In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the flashbacks to Joel and Clementine’s past relationship provide context for their present-day struggles and help the audience understand their characters on a deeper level.
• In The Usual Suspects, the flashbacks to the heist gone wrong provide a twist ending that recontextualizes the entire story and makes the audience question everything they thought they knew.

13. Use Foreshadowing

By hinting at the character’s eventual transformation early in the story, you can create a sense of anticipation and make the transformation feel more earned. Foreshadowing can be subtle, such as a character mentioning a desire to change, or more overt, such as a character being shown in a situation that highlights their flaws.

Here are five movie examples of excellent use of foreshadowing in a script:

• In The Sixth Sense, the color red is used as a foreshadowing device throughout the movie, appearing in scenes that hint at the twist ending.
• In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy’s repeated references to the “Pacific Ocean” foreshadow his eventual escape to Mexico.
• In The Usual Suspects, the initial lineup scene contains several clues and hints that foreshadow the twist ending.
• In The Godfather, the orange imagery throughout the movie foreshadows death and tragedy.
• In The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter’s mention of having an old patient for dinner foreshadows the climax of the movie.

14. Explore the Character’s Relationships

Great transformation arcs always involve great supporting characters who influence the protagonist.

Do they provide support and encouragement or act as obstacles to their growth? By exploring the character’s relationships, you can create a more nuanced and realistic transformation arc.

• William Forrester and Jamal Wallace in Finding Forrester: An unlikely friendship between a reclusive writer and a gifted young basketball player leads to both characters learning from each other and growing as individuals.
• Loretta Castorini and Ronny Cammareri in Moonstruck: Loretta, a practical and reserved woman, is transformed by her passionate and impulsive lover, Ronny, who challenges her to embrace life and take risks.
• Carol Danvers and Nick Fury in Captain Marvel: Carol, a former Air Force pilot with no memory of her past, forms a strong bond with Nick Fury, who helps her unlock the secrets of her identity and embrace her full potential as a superhero.
• Selma Jezkova and Kathy in Dancer in the Dark: Selma, a Czech immigrant struggling to save money for her son’s eye surgery, forms a deep friendship with her coworker Kathy, who supports her and helps her cope with the challenges of her life.
• Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction: Vincent, a jaded hitman, is transformed by his unexpected evening with Mia, the wife of his boss, who challenges him to embrace life and break out of his routine.
• Rudy Ruettiger and Father Cavanaugh in Rudy: Rudy, a small-town boy with big dreams of playing college football, is encouraged and supported by Father Cavanaugh, who helps him overcome his obstacles and achieve his goals.

15. Consider the Setting

It’s said that the setting of a film is like another character in the story. The setting can make or break or film.

For example, a character who lives in a small town may feel trapped and limited by their surroundings, while a character who travels the world may feel more free and open to new experiences. Use the setting, to create a more immersive and impactful transformation arc.

• The Florida Project: The setting of a low-budget motel in Florida provides a backdrop for the character Moonee’s transformation from carefree child to a young girl who begins to understand the harsh realities of the world around her.
• Before Sunrise: The setting of Vienna provides a romantic and dreamy backdrop for Jesse and Celine’s transformative night together, in which they learn about each other and themselves.
• Million Dollar Baby: The setting of a gritty boxing gym provides a realistic and challenging environment for Maggie’s transformation from a hopeful amateur boxer to a skilled and determined fighter.
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower: The setting of high school provides a relatable and poignant backdrop for Charlie’s transformation from a shy and introverted freshman to a more confident and self-aware young adult.
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: The setting of Iceland provides a breathtaking and adventurous backdrop for Walter’s transformation from a daydreaming office worker to a brave and adventurous traveler.
• Whiplash: The setting of a prestigious music conservatory provides a competitive and intense backdrop for Andrew’s transformation from a talented but unsure drummer to a driven and determined musician.

Conclusion

Incorporating these additional tips into your writing can help you create a transformation arc that is not only compelling and memorable but also authentic and nuanced. Creating a transformation arc is a challenging process, but by following these tips, you can create a character journey that will resonate with your audience long after the movie is over.