How To Write More Like Misha Green
Misha Green
Misha Green is an accomplished writer, producer, and showrunner who has received critical acclaim for her work on TV shows like "Underground" and "Lovecraft Country." Her style of writing is distinctive, and her ability to create complex characters, intricate plots, and memorable dialogue has made her a much sought-after writer in the entertainment industry.
Here are some tips on how you can write a screenplay more like Misha Green:
Develop Complex Characters
Misha Green is known for her ability to create complex, multi-dimensional characters that are relatable and memorable. To write like Misha Green, you need to focus on developing characters that are flawed, nuanced, and interesting.
L to R: Jonathan Majors as Atticus Freeman, Courtney B. Vance as George Freeman
For example, in "Lovecraft Country," the character of Atticus Freeman is a veteran who struggles with PTSD and the trauma of growing up as a Black man in America. His flaws and struggles make him relatable to viewers, and his journey to find his missing father drives the plot forward.
To develop complex characters like this, start by creating detailed character bios that outline their backstories, motivations, and personality traits.
Here is a general template for creating character bios that includes key elements such as backstory, motivations, and personality traits:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Occupation:
Relationships (family, friends, romantic interests):
Key events in their life:
Backstory:
Provide a brief history of the character, including their childhood, family life, education, and any significant events that have shaped who they are.
Motivations:
What drives the character? What are their goals and desires? What do they hope to achieve in their life or in the story?
Personality traits:
Describe the character's personality in detail. What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they interact with the other characters? Are they outgoing or introverted? Do they have any quirks or idiosyncrasies that make them unique?
Other:
Are there any other details about the character that are important to know? This could include their appearance, their hobbies and interests, or any unique talents or skills they possess.
You can create a detailed character bio that provides insight into who the character is and what motivates them. Use these bios as a reference as you write your screenplay, and make sure your characters' actions and dialogue are consistent with their personalities.
Use Themes to Drive the Plot
Misha Green is known for incorporating themes into her work that explore social issues and challenge conventional ideas. In "Lovecraft Country," themes of racism, sexism, and the supernatural are woven into the plot, creating a rich tapestry of ideas and perspectives.
Think about the themes you want to explore in your screenplay and use them to drive the plot forward. For example, if your theme is about the dangers of conformity, you could create a plot where the protagonist must choose between following the crowd or staying true to their beliefs.
Create a Strong Story Structure
Misha Green is a master of story structure, and her ability to weave together multiple plot threads and character arcs is one of her strengths as a writer. You need to focus on creating a strong story structure that keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end.
One way to do this is by using the Five-Act Story Structure, which involves breaking your screenplay into five parts: the inciting incident, the midpoint, the climax, attack by the enemy, and the resolution. Each part should have its own distinct tone, pacing, and climax.
For example, in "Lovecraft Country," the setup introduces the main characters and their conflicts, the confrontation involves their journey to find Atticus' missing father, and the resolution ties up loose ends and sets up potential future storylines.
Here's a breakdown of the screenplay story structure:
ACT I
The series begins with Atticus Freeman, a black veteran of the Korean War, receiving a letter from his estranged father, Montrose, who has gone missing in Ardham, Massachusetts. Atticus and his Uncle George, a publisher of a travel guide for African Americans, decide to embark on a road trip to find him.
INCITING INCIDENT: While driving through a sundown town, they are stopped by the police, who threaten them with violence if they don't leave before sunset. They narrowly escape and continue their journey.
ACT II
Atticus, George, and their friend Letitia arrive in Ardham, where they encounter a group of white people practicing a mysterious ritual in the woods. They also learn that Montrose is being held captive by a wealthy white family, the Braithwaites, who are seeking to perform a ceremony that will grant them immortality.
MIDPOINT: Atticus and Letitia share a romantic moment after narrowly escaping an attack by the Braithwaites.
ACT III
Atticus, George, and Letitia team up with a group of other black people in Ardham who are also targeted by the Braithwaites. Together, they attempt to thwart the ceremony and rescue Montrose.
CLIMAX: The group successfully stops the Braithwaites' ceremony and escapes Ardham, but Montrose is shot and killed by a member of the Sons of Adam, a white supremacist group that the Braithwaites belong to.
ACT IV
In the aftermath of the events in Ardham, Atticus discovers that he is a direct descendant of Titus Braithwaite, the founder of the Sons of Adam. He also learns that he possesses a mysterious and powerful book that can help him control the universe.
ATTACK BY THE ENEMY: The Sons of Adam attack Atticus and his family, seeking to take the book and use its power for their own purposes.
ACT V
Atticus, Letitia, and their family and friends team up with a group of supernatural beings called the Shoggoths to defeat the Sons of Adam and protect the book.
RESOLUTION: Atticus sacrifices himself to use the power of the book to defeat the Sons of Adam and save the world.
This is a general and brief breakdown of the screenplay story structure of "Lovecraft Country." Of course, there are many more details and subplots in the series, but this should give you a sense of how the story is structured.
Write Memorable Dialogue
Misha Green is known for her ability to write memorable dialogue that captures the essence of her characters and moves the plot forward. To increase your writing ability, work on creating dialogue that is authentic, witty, and memorable.
L to R: Jonathan Majors as Atticus Freeman, Journee Smollet as Leticia “Leti” Lewis
One way to do this is by using subtext, which involves creating dialogue that has a hidden meaning or agenda. For example, in "Lovecraft Country," when Letitia tells Atticus, "I don't need a white knight to come to my rescue," she's not just rejecting his help; she's also asserting her independence and challenging the idea that Black women need to be saved by men.
Collaborate with Other Creatives
Misha Green is a collaborative writer who works closely with other creatives, including directors, producers, and actors. To write like her, you have to be more open to feedback and willing to collaborate with others to improve your screenplay.
Look into joining a writers' group or participating in workshops and screenwriting events. These opportunities allow you to share your work with other writers, receive feedback, and learn from others' perspectives.
In conclusion, in order to write more like Misha Green, you need to focus on developing complex characters in your screenplays, using themes to drive the plot, creating a strong story structure, writing memorable dialogue, and collaborating with other creatives. While these tips can help you write your screenplay better, it's important to remember that every writer has their own unique style and voice. Ultimately, the key to success as a writer is to hone your craft, find your own voice, and tell stories that are meaningful and impactful to you.
YOU CAN READ/DOWNLOAD EVERY EPISODES SCRIPT FROM “LOVECRAFT COUNTRY” HERE
For Educational Purposes Only!
