Conflict is the driving force behind every story, creating tension, raising stakes, and propelling characters into action. Without conflict, stories would lack the emotional depth and engagement that make them compelling. Conflict is essential to drama because it drives the plot, generates suspense and keeps the audience engaged.
Conflict also serves as a catalyst for character development, revealing the true nature, motivations, and vulnerabilities of the characters. As they respond to challenges (whether external obstacles, internal struggles, or interpersonal clashes) audiences gain insight into who they are and how they evolve.
These transformative arcs are often what resonate most with viewers, as they mirror real human growth through adversity. A protagonist's decisions under pressure not only shape the outcome of the plot but also deepen the emotional impact of the narrative.
Conflict also enhances thematic exploration by forcing characters to confront moral dilemmas, cultural tensions, or existential questions. Through opposing goals or worldviews, stories can explore deeper meanings and values that transcend the immediate plot.
Whether it's a hero choosing between duty and love, or a society battling systemic injustice, conflict can examine complex ideas in a tangible and engaging way. It’s through conflict that stories challenge audiences to think critically and feel deeply.
Syd Field: "Without conflict, there is no action; without action, there is no character; without character, there is no story. And without story, there is no screenplay."William Froug: "Without conflict, you might as well pack it in - you are in the wrong field of endeavor. Without conflict, readers will fall asleep and you’ll never have to think about having an audience. The ball game is over.”
Robert McKee: “Nothing moves forward in a story except through conflict.”
Joseph Campbell: "Conflict is the engine that powers the narrative."
David Mamet: "Conflict is the heart and soul of drama."
John Truby: "Conflict is the essence of drama and foundation of character."
NEXT ARTICLE: The Foundation of all Drama is Conflict
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Must-read article, Peter D. Marshall! Thanks for sharing it. I like to add conflict to mundane things in scripts. I also like to have more than one conflict going on at a time, but it depends on the scene.
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No it isn’t. You’re wrong. Bah, humbug.
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Hi David. Thanks for your response. I am a lifelong learner, so could you please elaborate on your answer above. Cheers, :)
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It is borrowed from Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ novella, who had Ebeneezer Scrooge tell people that Christmas was ‘Bah Humbug’ thus creating maximum conflict with others who loved it.