This is the script to my video about “Conflict”
Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed. Capt. Ahab vs. a Great White Whale. Montagues vs. Capulets. … Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. And where there’s conflict, there’s a story.
I’m Jim Lamb … Let’s get started.
If you’re a story-teller, you know conflict is part of life. Why? Because People will fight about anything. To be or not to be. To wear a mask — or not. McDonalds or Burger King. Religion-Politics. Coke-Pepsi.
In “The Wizard of Oz,” it’s Dorothy against the Wicked Witch in a jam-packed story that will knock your socks off — or maybe just your shoes.
In Stephen King’s “The Shining,” the main character (played by Jack Nicholson) is in a battle with himself…. That’s when the real “Johnny” emerges.
Speaking of Nicholson, consider his character in “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” He was in conflict with Nurse Ratched. (Wouldn’t mess with her.)
But conflict isn’t just Character A vs. Character B.
Consider Hester Prynne in “The Scarlett Letter” — she faced off with her entire community. How about the main character in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”? She had a similar face-off — with disastrous results.
The Bible is full of conflicts: Cain vs. Able. Esau vs. Jacob. Moses vs. Pharaoh. David vs. Goliath.
And how about Tom Hanks in “Cast Away.” He was practically the only character on-screen, and he still had conflicts — with nature. No wonder he was so upset when he lost his soccer ball. … “Wilson!”
Helen Hunt, Tom’s love interest in “Cast Away,” faced her own problems with tornadoes in “Twister.” (Scary stuff.) The old man in “The Old Man and the Sea” battled sharks, fate, and inner doubt. (Guess who won?)
And don’t even get me started on man vs. technology, like the HAL 9000 in “2001” — “Open the pod bay door, HAL” … “I can’t do that, Dave.”
What about Mary Shelly’s monster in “Frankenstein.” (Wouldn’t pick a fight with that guy. Right?)
So, if your story goes flat as pancake, punch it back up by starting a fight between your main character and a Great White Whale, a big storm, wicked witches, or renegade robots.
I’m Jim Lamb, and you’ve just learned a little Somethin-Somethin’ about Conflict.conflict
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