When do you answer the question?

After it’s been asked.

I just came across this lovely little video essay on the movie Constantine that I found interesting. It talks about how the movie is presented as having no interest in explaining itself, the story just happens and it’s up to the audience to piece things together from context until later in the film clarification is given.

They show a thing happening, then later more information is given to explain it, rather than what many films do in explaining all the rules as early as possible.

(Link to the original video here, please take a look to support the original creator and because the rest of what I write here will assume you know what I’m talking about.)

I found it fascinating to hear it discussed this way with film because in written works, this has always been the standard rule of thumb to my eye. Perhaps I’ve not been paying enough attention, I certainly didn’t click on it being what made Constantine hit differently. But it’s definitely something worth more thought.

I’ve touched on the idea a bit in my posts on story structure (which I’m certain I will finish at some point, the longer form essay style just takes a lot more time and energy I haven’t had to spare for a while.). The earlier in the story you are the more questions should be getting raised, only switching later in the story where things are being wrapped up so questions get answered.

Strip exposition down to the absolute essentials, basically. What does the audience need to know for the story to make sense up to this point. Do they need to know dragons exist? Or do they just need to know it’s possible for dragons to exist? Do they need to know that’s a dragon trying to eat the hero now, or do they just need to know there’s very sharp teeth tearing through the tent. Do they need to know the history of why the hero was camping in the wilderness or is it enough just to know that they HAVE been camping in the wilderness?

The rest can be saved for later. Once the audience has had just enough time to start asking those questions. Once the heroes have escaped to safety, and someone starts to wonder why they were out in danger to begin with. Once the heroes have evaded the fangs and teeth and hot breath, gathered their wits and weapons, and turned to figure out what monster they’re up against. So on.

It’s a very rambling post today, I was going to just comment on the video but then realized how long it’s been since I added anything here :D Hopefully it’s something to think about though.