9.3 Identifying and fixing plot holes
4 min read•august 15, 2024
Fixing plot holes is crucial for creating a compelling screenplay. It's about maintaining the story's logic and keeping viewers engaged. Without addressing these issues, even the most exciting narratives can fall flat.
Identifying and resolving plot holes involves careful analysis and creative problem-solving. From timeline inconsistencies to character motivations, writers must scrutinize every aspect of their script to ensure a cohesive and believable story unfolds.
Plot Holes and Screenplay Coherence
Understanding Plot Holes
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- Plot holes manifest as logical inconsistencies or gaps in a story's narrative that contradict established plot points or the internal logic of the fictional world
- Significantly undermine the credibility and immersion of a screenplay led to audience disengagement and confusion
- Indicate deeper structural issues within the screenplay (insufficient character development or poorly conceived story logic)
- Range from minor discrepancies noticed by attentive viewers to major logical flaws that fundamentally break the story's premise
- Impact on screenplay coherence directly proportional to their size and relevance to the main narrative arc
- Addressing plot holes maintains the integrity of the story world and preserves the audience's
- Negatively affect the commercial viability of a screenplay (often targeted by critics and discerning viewers)
Importance of Plot Coherence
- Crucial for maintaining narrative integrity and audience engagement
- Enhances the overall quality and professionalism of the screenplay
- Strengthens the story's emotional impact by eliminating distractions
- Improves the screenplay's chances of success in the competitive film industry
- Demonstrates the writer's attention to detail and storytelling skills
- Facilitates smoother production process by reducing the need for extensive rewrites
- Contributes to building a loyal fanbase who appreciate well-crafted, logically consistent stories
Types of Plot Holes
Narrative Inconsistencies
- Continuity errors contradict previously established details in the timeline, character appearances, or props
- Character inconsistencies involve actions or decisions that contradict established personality, motivations, or abilities
- defy common sense or the established rules of the story world
- introduces an unexpected power, event, or character to resolve a seemingly unsolvable problem
- leave story threads introduced but never adequately addressed or concluded
Information and Knowledge Gaps
- occurs when characters possess information they shouldn't logically have access to without explanation
- happens when characters forget crucial information solely to serve the plot's needs
- create inconsistencies in the story's chronology or cause-and-effect relationships
- contradict previously established laws or norms of the fictional universe
- leave audience questioning the reasons behind critical decisions or actions
Identifying Plot Holes
Analytical Techniques
- Conduct a chronological read-through focused solely on the logical progression of events and character decisions
- Create a detailed timeline of the story's events included off-screen actions to identify temporal inconsistencies
- Develop character profiles outlining each character's knowledge, abilities, and motivations throughout the story
- Utilize beta readers or writing groups to gain fresh perspectives and identify overlooked inconsistencies
- Employ a "devil's advocate" approach actively questioning the logic and plausibility of each major plot point and character decision
- Map out cause-and-effect relationships between key events to ensure logical consistency throughout the narrative
- Implement a cooling-off period between drafts to allow for more objective analysis of the screenplay's logic and consistency
Collaborative Review Strategies
- Organize with actors to identify dialogue or action inconsistencies
- Conduct focused workshops with fellow writers to scrutinize specific plot elements or
- Utilize software to track plot threads and character development
- Create a "plot hole checklist" based on common issues in your genre or writing style
- Engage in peer review sessions with other screenwriters to gain industry-specific insights
- Consult subject matter experts for specialized knowledge areas in your screenplay (legal procedures, scientific concepts)
Fixing Plot Holes
Revision Strategies
- Revise the story's premise or rules to accommodate necessary plot elements while maintaining internal logic
- Introduce or additional exposition to explain seemingly inconsistent events or character actions
- Adjust character motivations or backstories to align with their actions and decisions throughout the screenplay
- Eliminate or modify that create logical inconsistencies or remain unresolved
- Rewrite scenes to provide logical explanations for character knowledge or abilities that initially appeared inconsistent
- Implement a "Chekhov's gun" approach ensuring all introduced elements serve a purpose and are properly resolved
- Utilize rewrites to strengthen the cause-and-effect relationships between events enhancing overall narrative cohesion
Advanced Plot Hole Solutions
- Employ non-linear storytelling techniques to resolve temporal inconsistencies (flashbacks, parallel timelines)
- Introduce unreliable narrators or multiple perspectives to justify conflicting information
- Develop subplot interconnections to resolve seemingly unrelated story threads
- Utilize dramatic irony to explain character knowledge discrepancies
- Implement "red herrings" to misdirect audience attention from potential plot holes
- Create layered character motivations to justify seemingly inconsistent actions
- Develop a comprehensive story bible to maintain consistency in complex fictional worlds
Key Terms to Review (25)
Character Arcs: Character arcs refer to the transformation or inner journey of a character throughout a story, showcasing how they evolve as a result of their experiences and conflicts. A well-crafted character arc enhances storytelling by connecting the character's personal growth with the narrative, providing emotional depth and resonance for the audience.
Character inconsistency: Character inconsistency refers to the discrepancies in a character's actions, thoughts, and dialogue that do not align with their established personality traits or motivations. This can lead to confusion for the audience and undermine the character's believability, which is crucial for maintaining narrative cohesion and emotional investment. When characters behave in ways that seem out of character, it can create plot holes or diminish the story's overall impact.
Continuity error: A continuity error refers to a mistake in a film or television production that disrupts the flow of the narrative, often caused by inconsistencies in visual elements or actions that should logically follow one another. These errors can break the audience's immersion and may result from changes in props, wardrobe, or even actor positions that are not consistent across shots. Maintaining continuity is crucial for storytelling, as it helps create a seamless viewing experience.
Deus ex machina: Deus ex machina is a plot device used in storytelling where an unexpected power or event suddenly resolves a seemingly unsolvable problem. This technique often appears as a way to pull characters out of difficult situations, but it can also lead to criticism for lacking narrative coherence or depth. While it can provide a quick resolution, overreliance on this device may highlight plot holes and weaken character development.
Feedback sessions: Feedback sessions are structured meetings where writers present their work to peers or mentors to receive constructive criticism and insights. These sessions play a crucial role in the writing process by helping identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of the script.
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give an indication or hint about what is to come later in the story. This technique helps to build anticipation and creates a sense of tension by dropping subtle clues that may connect with future events, enhancing the overall narrative structure and character development.
Inconsistent world-building rules: Inconsistent world-building rules refer to the lack of coherence and uniformity in the established rules and logic of a fictional universe. This inconsistency can lead to confusion for the audience and disrupt the narrative flow, as characters may act in ways that contradict previously established norms or laws within that world.
Logical Fallacies: Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument. They can occur in various forms, such as making unwarranted assumptions or distracting from the main issue, often leading to misleading conclusions. Recognizing these fallacies is crucial in assessing arguments and ensuring that plot holes are identified and fixed effectively.
Narrative logic: Narrative logic refers to the principles and structures that govern the way a story unfolds, ensuring that events and character actions are coherent and follow a believable sequence. It involves the internal consistency of a narrative, including how plot points connect and contribute to the overall meaning of the story. When narrative logic is strong, the audience can easily follow the story, while weak narrative logic can lead to confusion or disbelief.
Overlooking Backstory: Overlooking backstory refers to the failure to adequately develop or integrate the historical context and character backgrounds that shape a narrative. This oversight can lead to disjointed storytelling, where characters' motivations and plot developments lack depth, resulting in plot holes or inconsistencies that may confuse the audience.
Plot-convenient amnesia: Plot-convenient amnesia refers to a storytelling device where a character suddenly forgets important information or events to facilitate the progression of the plot. This technique is often criticized for being unrealistic, as it can create inconsistencies or plot holes that undermine the story's credibility. When characters experience selective memory loss, it can serve to enhance drama but also raise questions about character development and story logic.
Poor pacing: Poor pacing refers to the uneven or ineffective rhythm of a narrative, where scenes and events unfold too quickly or too slowly, disrupting the audience's engagement. When a story lacks proper pacing, it can lead to a loss of tension, a failure to build emotional investment, and an overall disconnection from the plot, making it challenging for the audience to follow along and remain invested.
Retconning: Retconning, short for retroactive continuity, is a storytelling technique where new information is introduced to alter or expand upon previously established facts in a narrative. This can be used to fix plot holes, clarify character motivations, or adjust story arcs, ensuring that the overall narrative remains coherent and engaging. It's often seen in serial storytelling formats like movies, TV shows, and comic books.
Reverse engineering: Reverse engineering is the process of analyzing a finished product to understand its design, functionality, and components, often with the goal of recreating or improving upon it. In storytelling, it involves dissecting a completed narrative to identify its structure and elements, allowing writers to pinpoint weaknesses or inconsistencies in plot, character development, and pacing. This method can be invaluable in finding and fixing plot holes, enhancing overall storytelling effectiveness.
Scene analysis: Scene analysis is the process of breaking down a scene in a screenplay to understand its structure, purpose, and impact on the overall narrative. This involves examining elements such as character motivations, dialogue, visual composition, pacing, and how these components work together to convey themes and emotions. By dissecting a scene, writers can identify strengths and weaknesses, making it easier to spot plot holes or inconsistencies in the story.
Script analysis: Script analysis is the process of breaking down a screenplay to understand its structure, themes, characters, and overall storytelling mechanics. It involves examining each element of the script, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and determining how effectively the narrative flows. This technique is essential for writers and filmmakers to refine their stories and ensure clarity in their plot.
Script breakdown: A script breakdown is the process of analyzing a screenplay to identify all the elements necessary for production, such as locations, characters, props, costumes, and special effects. This step is crucial in pre-production as it helps the production team understand what resources and logistics are needed to bring the script to life. A thorough breakdown also aids in identifying any inconsistencies or plot holes that might need to be addressed before filming begins.
Story mapping: Story mapping is a visual technique used in screenwriting to outline the structure of a story, helping writers organize their ideas and ensure a cohesive narrative flow. It connects various plot points, character arcs, and themes, allowing writers to see how each element interacts within the story. This approach is essential for identifying key events and potential gaps in the plot, ensuring that every part of the narrative serves a purpose.
Subplots: Subplots are secondary storylines that complement and enrich the main plot of a screenplay. They often revolve around supporting characters and provide additional depth, themes, or emotional arcs, helping to enhance the overall narrative structure. Subplots can vary in complexity and significance, influencing the main plot while also allowing for character development and thematic exploration.
Suspension of Disbelief: Suspension of disbelief is the willingness of an audience to accept the fictional world and its events as real for the purpose of enjoyment or engagement. This concept is crucial in storytelling, as it allows viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative without constantly questioning its plausibility, which is particularly important when addressing plot holes that might disrupt this engagement.
Table reads: Table reads are informal sessions where actors read through a script aloud, often at a table, to get a feel for the dialogue, characters, and overall flow of the story. This process helps writers and directors identify any inconsistencies or issues in the plot, allowing them to pinpoint and fix potential plot holes before moving forward with production.
Time paradoxes: Time paradoxes are situations in storytelling where an event in the past contradicts or creates inconsistencies with future events, often leading to logical contradictions. They are commonly explored in narratives involving time travel, where actions taken in the past can change the future in unexpected ways, creating a loop or inconsistency that challenges the narrative's internal logic.
Unexplained character knowledge: Unexplained character knowledge refers to instances in a story where a character possesses information or insight that they should not realistically know, leading to inconsistencies in the narrative. This phenomenon can disrupt the audience's suspension of disbelief and create plot holes that challenge the story's credibility. It’s essential to ensure that all character knowledge is logically derived from the established narrative to maintain coherence.
Unexplained character motivations: Unexplained character motivations refer to actions or decisions made by characters that lack a clear rationale or background, leaving audiences puzzled about their intentions. This can lead to inconsistencies in storytelling, as characters may seem to act out of character or without sufficient development, ultimately creating plot holes and confusion.
Unresolved subplots: Unresolved subplots are narrative threads in a story that are introduced but not fully resolved by the end, leaving questions unanswered or story arcs incomplete. These subplots can create a sense of ambiguity or dissatisfaction for the audience, as they may expect all storylines to have closure. The presence of unresolved subplots can highlight deeper themes or character development but can also indicate plot holes if not handled carefully.