Mastering Emotional Depth and Conflict in Screenplays

Welcome back, Engleversian! We’ve explored the foundation of adaptation and the craft of scene-building for the screen. Now, it’s time to add the secret ingredient that makes your screenplay truly unforgettable: emotional depth and conflict. Let’s dive in and create moments that grip audiences, stir hearts, and leave a lasting impact.

Why Emotional Depth and Conflict Are Key

Think about the scenes that stay with you long after the credits roll: Katniss’s heartbreaking goodbye to Prim in The Hunger Games, Harry Potter facing off with Snape, or even Rocky fighting not just for the title but for his own self-worth. These moments resonate because they tap into something universal—emotion.

Conflict is the heartbeat of any great scene. Whether it’s a physical battle, a war of words, or an internal struggle, conflict drives the story and creates tension that keeps audiences hooked. Emotional depth adds the humanity that makes every victory sweeter, every loss more profound.

Creating the Blueprint: Crafting Emotional and Conflict-Driven Scenes

Here’s how to infuse your screenplay scenes with powerful emotions and gripping conflict:

Subscribe to continue reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

ENTER THE ENGLEVERSE

Follow Jaimie's writing journey with Member Only Content & Behind the Scenes Snapshots!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Published by Jaimie Engle

Jaimie Engle built the Engleverse, stories in books, film, and tv. She wrote, sold, and produced Just Jake (2023), sold and developed a story with DreamWorks Animation Studios (2025), and was hired to write an audiobook for Fresh Produce Media (2025). Jaimie founded Chapter Drops™ to help people with stories write and publish books, offering a Pitch Drop service for authors to connect with producers. She has written and published 25+ book, earning awards such as Kirkus Choice Book of the Year (2020), Publisher’s Book Life Prize (Fiction and Non-Fiction 2020), and the Writers of the Future Award (2016).Follow on social @jaimieenglewrites