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How to Create a Romantic Movie

by Jason Smith

How to Create a Romantic Movie

Making a movie of any genre requires apt research on characters who make or break the movie. If it is action, thriller, or romantic comedy, the characters have to blend or contrast in a way that complements the ideas in your movie. Romantic comedies or Rom-Coms are informally known, the main characters can exude some exemplary similarities, or their dissimilarities bring much-needed heat to the screens. The UK dating site has shared some tips on how to create a romantic film of your own. With a few tips, you may be well on your way to award-winning producer stardom.

What is Romantic Comedy? 

In its purest form, this is a movie genre that brings a comical feel to the goings-on of the film. These movies may not necessarily have a happy ending, although they usually revolve around love, courtships, and possibly marriage. The most common romantic comedies of our times include Shakespeare’s comedies such as Much Ado About Nothing, or Romeo and Juliet. Essentially, Rom-Coms are popular because they provide escapism for fans. Many who watch these films hope their love-lives will someday exude the love and happiness exhibited in their favourite romantic comedy.

That being said, there are a few guidelines for anyone planning to capture and retain a romantic comedy audience.

Tips for Writing a Romantic Movie

Give the Main Character a Reason to Find Love

Maybe this character is desperate to find someone they are compatible with. The main character may run into someone they don’t particularly like or one who tests their boiling point to the limit. In this case, the character will hate the other with a passion, or as opposites attract, they will be smitten by them.

Introduce a love interest early on 

Quite simply, give the audience something to anticipate from the beginning to the end of the movie. If the main character seems to be intoxicated by another’s looks, personality, or weaknesses, the audience would anxiously await that match made in heaven. If your love interest takes too long to be presented, your audience may not stick around for the ending.

Lean into the Romance 

Some characters fall head over heels at the beginning of a movie. This presents challenges for a plot that will keep audiences engrossed even AFTER they have seen the connection. A good Rom-Com will build intimacy. People may have to hold onto each other in the rain, or gently fall into a kiss on a balcony or staircase. Throughout the movie, instances such as these are what make for an epic Rom-Com.

Make Sure the Main Character stays true to themselves in the End

If a character changes their persona simply to please the audience, it may not sit well with the audience. True love, be it in a fictional tale or true story, is appreciated more when a person’s true character wins in the end. No matter the plot, if true love wins, it can only be between genuine characters.

The Basic Structure of a Romantic Comedy

A Rom-Com has a basic three-act structure. Historically, it involves a Conflict, Crisis, and of course, a Resolution. There can be up to seven beats that create the tempo for a romantic comedy structure. These are:

  • The setup
  • The catalyst
  • Conflicts causing tension
  • The hook- Is it doomed to fail?
  • Turning point (2nd) chemistry becomes unbearable
  • Characters break up
  • Resolution

Build Romantic Tension in a Scene

This can be carried out using internal and external factors. Imagine someone so hot-and-bothered that they cannot help themselves, but they have to because they are unsure how the other feels. A simpler example could be an annoying ex, constantly visiting or always in the picture as your protagonist is about to make a move. Building this tension can be accomplished in various forms, but the key is to gradually build the tension and hype, not to make it so obvious that the audience’s anticipation changes to frustration. The key is to create unpredictability. Your audience will love and appreciate the ending more this way

Whether the characters meet in a hotel, next to a garbage truck, or at another’s wedding, conflicts bring life to the plot. Clichéd plots include couples from polarized backgrounds, rich and poor, educated, and the opposite. Either way, a good plot requires some true character to produce a commendable film. Follow these simple steps and create a romantic movie capable of making it to the big screen and worth of a few accolades.

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