Crafting Youthful Narratives: Screenwriting Insights from Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

Crafting Youthful Narratives: Screenwriting Insights from Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

They say 'write what you know,' but let's be real, do we want to write what we know all the time? Don’t we want to write something new and interesting? An opportunity to learn something new? What if we used our wordsmith ninja skills to forge the new Pulp Fiction or the new Lord of the Rings for generations to come? That would be cool. Albeit, writing something we know is solid advice. "Stay in your lane," they’ll say. If someone asked me to write the next sci-fi horror, I would deliver the god of all screenplays on a golden platter because I eat, sleep, and dream sci-fi horror. But what if we didn’t write what we know? After all, a good writer is a good writer, is it not? What if by writing what we don’t know, we open a whole universe of magic ready to unfold. A world where the character hijacks the story, rather than the story hijacking the character. Confused? Let me paint you a picture with a hypothetical: Imagine you're tasked with writing a story about some farmer named John, a corn enthusiast, who is dealing with the worst drought in eons. Sounds like a snooze fest, right?

But what if, in a twist of desperation, our seemingly boring Farmer John concocts a wild plan to siphon water from the high-tech corn factory down the road, the very fiend monopolizing the water supply in Kern County? Suddenly, Farmer John isn't just a farmer; he's a heist mastermind in overalls.

Enter Jenna Ortega, cinema and TV's reigning queen, who plays as our anti-heroine in this Farmer John adventure, poised to crush Farmer John's plans because the corn plant isn't just a business; it's her family's legacy. As you can see, demonstrated by this sample logline, I wouldn’t have been able to concoct my own screenplay heist if I hadn’t thought outside of the box. Jenna’s character isn’t just adding tension; it’s layering the narrative with complex motives, ethical and moral dilemmas a young heir of a corn super plant might have to deal with. When you introduce real sustainable obstacles within the plot—it's like throwing a grenade into the mix and watching the story explode into fragments. This all happens when we let the story unfold by focusing on our character’s needs and wants. This opens the door of creativity for someone as creatively diverse as Jenna to shine on screen. Pretty amazing, huh? Oh, and by the way, I did just come up with this storyline as I was writing this post. I’ve decided to develop it into a full idea. Don’t get any ideas!

DiverseCharacters Analysis: Depth and Complexity

A muse in her own right, Ortega transcends from character to character with truth and conviction. From the gothic charm of Wednesday Addams in Wednesday to portraying the resilience of Ellie Alves in You, Jenna turns the cliché on its head, injecting each role with a complexity that beckons us, screenwriters and viewers alike, to peer a little deeper. And it all starts with a compelling character, written by us screenwriters, into which an actor can fully immerse themselves.

Transforming the act of farming into a narrative that's as gripping as a last-minute plot twist might seem like a tall order at first sight. It's our own self-doubt – mine included – and not the mundanity of farming or any other subject that stifles our creativity. It's like we're standing at the edge of a narrative cliff, scared to leap because, hey, what if we fail? Okay, fair question but pointless, to be honest. We’re not Doc from Back to the Future with a time-traveling machine; we’re writers. What if traversing beyond the confines of our literary comfort zones leads us to the pinnacle of success we have been looking for?

In my own opinion, taken from my own personal experiences, playing it safe is the real danger here. It's the comfort zone where stories go to yawn and stretch but never awaken. If Jenna Ortega teaches us anything, it's that leaping into the narrative unknown can lead to stories that resonate, surprise, and stay with us long after the credits roll.

• Screenwriting Tip: When crafting young characters, imbue them with complexities that challenge their worldviews, encouraging growth and engagement from your audience.

GenreVersatility: Adapting Writing Styles

Ortega's illustrious career serves as a masterclass in genre versatility, seamlessly navigating the space. Her remarkable ability to adapt herself to each different genre, weaving a bit of her own ethos of who Jenna Ortega is, underscores the importance for screenwriters to cultivate a versatile writing approach. It's about ensuring that the essence of a young character's voice remains authentic and resonant, no matter the backdrop against which their story unfolds.

Take, for instance, Ortega's portrayal of the enigmatic Wednesday Addams in Wednesday. Here, her character is steeped in dark humor, a stark contrast to the dramatic tension that defines her role as Ellie Alves in You. These roles couldn't be more different in tone and texture, yet Ortega brings a consistent depth to each, highlighting the adaptability and range that screenwriters must emulate.

For screenwriters, this means not only mastering the conventions of each genre but also understanding how to bend and blend them to serve the story’s needs. It’s about asking how a character would realistically react in a horror scenario versus a comedic one, and adjusting their voice accordingly without losing the core of who they are.

• Screenwriting Tip: Master the core of your character, allowing their essence to adapt and remain relatable across genres.

Dialogue and Voice: Authentic Youth Dialogue

If you’re like me in your 40s, you might say, “How am I supposed to write as a fourteen-year-old in 2023?” It’s a fair question, especially when the gap between adolescence and adulthood feels like a chasm. To which I’ll say, you were fourteen years old once upon a time. If you’re worried about the latest Gen-Z slangs, you can always ask Google or as I like to call it, Chatty(GPT).

Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of characters like Wednesday Addams serves as a prime example of this principle in action. Through her, we see how a character can be both timeless and utterly of the moment. The snarky humor and sharp wit she brings to Wednesday offer a modern twist on the classic Addams Family archetype, making her an instant hit with contemporary viewers. This isn’t just about throwing in a few buzzwords or meme references; it’s about understanding the essence of youthful communication—its rhythms, its boldness, its inventiveness—and weaving that understanding into your characters' interactions. What jumps out on paper is often the authenticity of the moment. Don’t manufacture your character’s next move; let them tell you. This concept of writing all goes back to letting the character tell you the story and not the other way around.

In essence, it requires empathy, curiosity, and a little bit of research. With these tools at your disposal, your characters can achieve the same level of authenticity and appeal that Jenna Ortega brings to hers, resonating with audiences across the generational divide.

• Screenwriting Tip: Listen to how young people speak— their rhythms, their slang, their concerns— and let this inform your characters' dialogue without resorting to stereotypes.

And so...

In conclusion, Jenna Ortega's diverse roles in movies and TV shows provide invaluable lessons for screenwriters aiming to captivate young audiences. By analyzing her work, we gain insights into creating characters that are not just seen but felt, stories that not only entertain but resonate on a deeper level.

Let's challenge ourselves to push the boundaries of our storytelling, jump out of the page. Come on, you can do it! Give in to the unknown. Trust me, it’s fascinating what will happen. Crafting narratives that are as dynamic and multifaceted as the young people we aim to inspire should be the creed of all screenwriters.

In Optimus Prime's voice, circa Peter Cullen's genius contribution - "As we embark on our screenwriting voyage, let the likes of Jenna Ortega and similar newcomers inside the world of Hollywood's creative power inspire us to weave tales of youthful vigor, crossing genre boundaries with the ease, ready to dive into the cornfield of creativity. Let's plow through the mundane and harvest a crop of stories worth telling, where every character has a compelling reason to fight back. This is Optimus Prime, I'm coming for you."