Screenwriting : Therapy and not being on the nose by Nicolas Lavoie

Nicolas Lavoie

Therapy and not being on the nose

Hello everyone.

Another question for this wonderful community. In my screenplay my protagonist is seeing a therapist to help them manage traumas. We delve into her past then we sometimes get back in the therapy room with the therapist and protagonist discussing what they saw.

I think it’s important to share how the protagonist react to her rediscovered memories and her own past. but at the same time it’s easy to write what she felt and how she process these memories rather than show it. Any suggestion as to how make the therapy feel genuine without being too much on the nose?

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, @Nicolas. It's therapy and the protagonist is sharing how she felt and how she processes the memories, so I think it's fine to be on the nose with some of the dialogue. You could add subtext to some of the dialogue and use body language, objects in the room, etc. to explain some things.

Leonardo Ramirez

Hey Nicolas Lavoie - I'll echo what my good friend Maurice Vaughan is saying in having her react physically to what she is processing. Going beyond crying and into subtle hand movements, etc. All the best!

Leonardo Ramirez

You're very welcome Nicolas Lavoie. Happy IY Weekend!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Nicolas Lavoie.

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