Writing Analysis
3 Writing Lessons from Netflix’s Arcane
Using formulas to unleash emotion
Arcane was a masterpiece. Every detail of the show reflected the love and dedication of the writers, animators, and fandom.
Stephen King says that metaphors, setting, and even plot are neat bells and whistles, but that only the story is the story.
Arcane shows how all the bells and whistles can enhance the story. No detail is wasted. The 2D sketchy animation style reflects the grungy feel of the story while the 3D figures root us squarely in the world of the videogame. The soundtrack roots us in the scenery and emotional landscape of the story, with clanking machinery in the undercity’s Welcome to the Playground, gun-cocking staccato hits in the gleefully mischievous Dynasties and Dystopia, muted 8-bit repetitions in the sorrowful Goodbye, and somber cellos matching those woven throughout the score in What Could Have Been.
But all of that genius is unparalleled by the screenplay itself. Without good writing, the neat animation, banging soundtrack, and evocative voice acting would have nothing to latch on to.
That is, of course, in part thanks to the expertise and tenure of the writers, Alex Yee and Christian Link. As of writing this in 2021, Yee and Link have a combined 18 years of experience working at Riot Games, the parent company of League of Legends, the videogame on which Arcane is based (according to LinkedIn). Though League of Legends has long been known for its extensive and immersive lore, Yee and Link share in interviews how it was nice to finally tell a fuller story behind some of the characters and world they helped develop.
Here are 3 key takeaways from the script:
- Use the Three Act Structure: be explicit and meticulous with the storyboarding. The dichotomy between logic and emotions is false. Logic can help unleash emotions.
- Don’t waste a shock to the story as an opportunity to both show a choice and trigger another choice: every plot point has the potential to be the culmination of and the catalyst for character and plot development.
- Use parallels: they’re incredibly effective at comparing and contrasting characters, worlds, and the ideologies they stand for.
Click on the links to learn more, but overall, the message is this: don’t be afraid to use formulas.
Who cares if a story is formulaic if it doesn’t feel formulaic?
Bruce Lee said it best. We practice the same kick a thousand times to achieve a natural unnaturalness, or an unnatural naturalness.
The product of Yee and Link’s careful planning doesn’t feel rigid or hokey. It feels like water flowing.
