Screenwriting : False Hope by Imo Wimana Chadband

False hope seems like a very specific way to interpret reversals and character arcs. But it’s kind of like the “rule” that someone needs to die at the end of act two, which leads to people randomly dropping dead in a way that does not serve the story. If false hope helps you tell your story, go for it. But it is by no means necessary.

'necessary in every screenplay'? Nope.

I didn’t watch the video. False hope is kind of a good obstacle. The protagonist thinks they are about to win and BOOM they never had a chance.

For me, it depends on the story. Adding false hope fits with some stories...but not all.

Ignore the distracting word “must” and the labeling of “false hope” and, really, most great stories do have some sort of moment where the protagonist thinks she’s got it solved or figured out or everything is “okay” and then the rug gets pulled out from underneath her. She has some sort of major realization. Consider it any way you choose, but this tends to happen maybe around the midpoint or later. This is also just another part of conflict, structure, and plot building to create that emotional roller coaster ride that not only entertains but tends to lean into or point to the theme. Consider this notion again more broadly and open-mindedly, and I bet you do have some sort of similarly defining moment in your screenplays.

There is truth to what you say Beth Fox Heisinger I see it in my scripts, some more than others. Logically thinking it adds to keeping the story unpredictable and interesting, but, guess the defining term 'must' is where the disagreement lies, as I can also see a script working without it.