1077: Michael Arndt | The Oscar-Winning Science of Storytelling

Surprising Endings

Crafting surprising endings in storytelling involves creating a false binary, where the audience expects a win or lose scenario, only to be presented with an unexpected third option. Michael Arndt explains how this technique was used in "Little Miss Sunshine," where the character Olive neither wins nor loses the pageant, but instead delivers a performance that defies expectations 1. This approach not only surprises the audience but also evokes a strong emotional response, as seen in similar moments like a young contestant on "America's Got Talent" who unexpectedly wowed the judges with her performance 2.

The gap between your expectations and what actually happens is what makes it so emotional.

--- Jordan Harbinger

Such endings are memorable because they challenge conventional storytelling norms and engage viewers on a deeper level.

   

Character and World

The interplay between character and world is crucial in storytelling, as it creates depth and relatability. Michael Arndt highlights how characters like Ben Braddock in "The Graduate" and the Dude in "The Big Lebowski" are defined by the worlds they inhabit 3 4. These characters resonate because they react against the prevailing norms of their environments, such as conformity or competitiveness, making them memorable and engaging to audiences.

A lot of times, what makes a hero very memorable is not the hero themselves, it's the world that they live in.

--- Michael Arndt

By crafting a "tilted universe," storytellers can reflect real-world issues and create characters that serve as antidotes to these problems, enhancing the story's impact 5.