How can you write a compelling storyline that resonates with global audiences?

1 Know your genre

Every genre has its own conventions, expectations, and tropes that appeal to different audiences. You need to know the rules of your genre, as well as how to break them creatively. For example, if you are writing a horror film, you need to establish a clear threat, a suspenseful atmosphere, and a satisfying resolution. But you can also subvert the clichés, such as having an unexpected twist, a sympathetic villain, or a meta-commentary on the genre itself.

2 Create relatable characters

Your characters are the heart and soul of your story. They need to be believable, complex, and dynamic. You need to give them clear goals, motivations, and conflicts that drive the plot forward. You also need to make them relatable to your audience, regardless of their background, culture, or language. You can do this by giving them universal emotions, values, and flaws that anyone can empathize with. For example, you can show how your characters struggle with love, fear, guilt, or ambition.

3 Use the three-act structure

The three-act structure is a classic and effective way to organize your story into a beginning, a middle, and an end. It helps you create a clear arc, a rising tension, and a satisfying climax. The first act introduces your characters, setting, and premise. The second act complicates your characters' situation, raises the stakes, and introduces obstacles. The third act resolves your characters' conflict, delivers the payoff, and wraps up the loose ends.

4 Incorporate themes and messages

A good story is not only entertaining, but also meaningful. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to say with your story, what message you want to convey, or what question you want to explore. Your themes and messages should be relevant to your genre, your characters, and your audience. They should also be subtle, not preachy or obvious. You can express your themes and messages through your dialogue, imagery, symbolism, or actions.

5 Adapt to different markets

If you want to reach a global audience, you need to be aware of the different preferences, expectations, and sensitivities of different markets. You need to do your research on the cultural, social, and political context of your target countries. You need to avoid stereotypes, clichés, or offensive content that might alienate or insult your viewers. You also need to consider the practical aspects of translation, dubbing, or subtitling your film. You might need to make some changes or compromises to suit different markets, but without losing the essence of your story.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?