If you’re a screenwriter working in the business or someone who’s just started their journey of becoming one, you would have most certainly come across the term “inciting incident”. It’s the defining incident that set the story in motion.
Definition
Any event or circumstance (big or small) that changes the direction of the protagonist’s life can be considered to be the story’s inciting incident. This moment, often occurring early in the narrative, sets the stage for the conflicts, challenges, and revelations that will follow. It shatters the status quo and often becomes the reason for the story to exist.
Incitare: to set in motion
Latin origin
Origin
In screenwriting, the term was popularized nearly five decades ago by the renowned screenwriting guru, Syd Field, where he talked about the idea of a three-act structure in his influential book Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. In this book, Field discusses the importance of a significant incident or event that sets the story in motion, which aligns with what we now commonly refer to as the inciting incident.
While Syd Field played a crucial role in codifying and teaching principles of modern screenwriting, it’s essential to note that the concept of an inciting incident predates his work. Aristotle’s “Poetics,” written in the 4th century BCE, touches upon the idea of a narrative having a beginning, middle, and end, with the beginning involving an initiating incident
12 Characteristics Of A Compelling Inciting Incident
Besides being one of the most, if not the most, catalytic events of a story, a compelling typical incident will often have the following attributes:
1. Disruption of Equilibrium:
The inciting incident disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world, introducing conflict, challenge, or change that upsets the status quo.
The Matrix: Neo’s encounter with Morpheus disrupts his ordinary world by revealing the simulated reality and the existence of the Matrix.
2. Clear Cause-and-Effect Relationship:
It establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, setting in motion events that shape the narrative trajectory. Once it occurs, there is a clear “pre and post-incident” life of the protagonist.
Back to the Future: Marty McFly’s accidental time travel to the past creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship, leading to a series of events that must be resolved.
3. Irreversibility:
The inciting incident is often irreversible, marking a point of no return for the characters.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Joel Barish undergoes a procedure to erase memories of a failed relationship, an irreversible act that shapes the course of the narrative.
4. Defines the Protagonist’s Goal or Challenge:
It establishes the protagonist’s goal or presents a challenge that becomes a driving force for their actions.
The Lord of the Rings: Frodo Baggins’ task to destroy the One Ring defines his overarching goal, driving the entire narrative.
5. Engages Audience Interest:
An effective inciting incident captures the audience’s interest, posing questions and compelling investment in the characters’ journeys. It can be considered as the story “hook” and often high-concept movies have unusual inciting incidents.
Inception: Cobb is offered the chance to clear his criminal record by performing an inception, immediately capturing the audience’s interest in the complex world of dreams.
6. Occurs Early in the Story:
While timing can vary, the inciting incident generally occurs early, serving as a point of entry for the audience.
Jurassic Park: The arrival at Jurassic Park and the revelation of cloned dinosaurs occur early, setting the stage for the ensuing chaos.
7. Generates Conflict:
Conflict is inherent in the inciting incident, whether it’s physical, emotional, or a challenge to the protagonist’s beliefs.
The Dark Knight: The Joker’s escalating attacks generate intense conflict, challenging Batman’s principles and creating chaos in Gotham.
8. Establishes Tone and Genre:
The nature of the inciting incident contributes to the tone and genre of the story, shaping its thematic elements.
The Sixth Sense: Dr. Malcolm Crowe’s decision to help a troubled young boy establishes the tone of mystery and sets the stage for supernatural elements.
9. Foreshadowing Elements:
In some cases, the inciting incident may be foreshadowed, adding depth to the narrative and preparing the audience for the disruption.
Fight Club: The narrator’s chance encounter with Tyler Durden is foreshadowed by the earlier plane conversation, hinting at the disruption to come.
10. Character Transformation:
The inciting incident marks the beginning of the protagonist’s journey of transformation as they navigate challenges and evolve throughout the narrative.
The Lion King: Simba’s father’s death prompts his journey of self-discovery and transformation from a carefree cub to a responsible leader.
11. Establishes Stake:
The inciting incident introduces stakes and tension into the narrative, setting the tone for the story’s emotional impact. Including these elements in the logline helps create anticipation and intrigue.
The Silence of the Lambs: The inciting incident is the pursuit of a serial killer. The logline might emphasize the stakes: “An FBI trainee must enlist the help of a brilliant but insane serial killer to catch another murderer, risking her sanity in the process.
12. Highlights Genre and Tone:
Different inciting incidents contribute to the overall genre and tone of a story. The logline should convey these aspects to give potential audiences a sense of what to expect, whether it’s a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a chilling mystery.
The Matrix: Neo discovers the simulated reality. The logline might reflect the sci-fi tone: “A computer hacker learns the truth about reality and joins a rebellion against intelligent machines.
Also Read: How to develop a story from an idea?
When Does An Inciting Incident Occur
In both feature films and TV series, the inciting incident typically occurs early in the story, serving as the trigger for the main plot. However, the exact timing can vary based on the narrative structure and the preferences of the storyteller. Here are common points in a screenplay where the inciting incident may occur:
Feature Films
Opening Scene:
Some films introduce the inciting incident right at the beginning to immediately engage the audience. In “Jaws,” the shark attack during the opening scene can be considered its inciting incident.
Act I:
The majority of films place the inciting incident within the first act, around the 10-15 minute mark. In “The Matrix,” Neo’s encounter with Morpheus, offering him the red pill, marks the inciting incident.
End of Act I:
In certain films, especially those adhering to a three-act structure, the inciting incident may occur at the end of the first act. In “The Dark Knight,” the Joker’s escalating attacks and the threat he poses become evident by the end of Act I.
TV Series
Teaser or Cold Open:
Some TV series introduce the inciting incident in the teaser or cold open to grab the audience’s attention. In “Breaking Bad,” the RV crash in the first episode serves as a dramatic inciting incident.
First Act of Episode 1:
Similar to feature films, TV series often present the inciting incident within the first act of the first episode. In “Stranger Things,” the disappearance of Will Byers kicks off the main plot.
Mid-Season or Finale Cliffhanger:
In serialized TV shows, especially those with longer seasons, the inciting incident for a major story arc might occur as a mid-season or finale cliffhanger. “Game of Thrones” utilizes this approach with events like the Red Wedding.
Different Kinds Of Inciting Incidents
The inciting incident can take various forms depending on the genre of the story. Here are examples of different kinds of inciting incidents across various genres:
1. Action/Adventure (Indiana Jones)
Inciting Incident: Indiana Jones learns about the Nazis’ quest for the Ark of the Covenant, prompting him to embark on a dangerous mission to find it before they do.
2. Romantic Comedy (Notting Hill)
Inciting Incident: The famous actress Anna Scott walks into the bookstore owned by the ordinary bookseller William Thacker, sparking an unlikely romance.
3. Science Fiction (Blade Runner)
Inciting Incident: Rick Deckard, a retired Blade Runner, is brought back to hunt down replicants who have escaped to Earth, challenging his understanding of humanity.
4. Mystery/Thriller (Gone Girl)
Inciting Incident: Nick Dunne discovers that his wife, Amy, has gone missing under suspicious circumstances, leading to a complex investigation and a media frenzy.
5. Fantasy (The Lord of the Rings)
Inciting Incident: Frodo Baggins inherits the One Ring and learns about its destructive power, compelling him to leave his home and embark on a perilous journey.
6. Horror (The Conjuring)
Inciting Incident: The Perron family experiences disturbing paranormal activities in their new home, prompting them to seek the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
7. Drama (The Pursuit of Happyness)
Inciting Incident: Chris Gardner, facing financial struggles, secures an unpaid internship at a prestigious brokerage firm, setting the stage for his pursuit of a better life.
8. Comedy (Bridesmaids)
Inciting Incident: Annie Walker’s life unravels as her best friend Lillian announces her engagement, leading to a series of comedic events as Annie tries to regain control.
9. Historical/Epic (Braveheart)
Inciting Incident: The execution of William Wallace’s wife prompts him to lead a rebellion against the English, marking the beginning of a historical epic.
10. Superhero (Spider-Man)
Inciting Incident: Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider, gaining superpowers and the responsibility to use them for the greater good.
Common Misconceptions
It’s important to understand what an inciting incident is and does as well as what it’s not. Knowing so will help you be more deliberate whilst crafting your own. Let’s take a look at some of them:
1. Misidentifying the Inciting Incident
Misconception: Some may mistake a random event or the story’s initiating action for the inciting incident. However, the true inciting incident is the event that disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world and sets the story in motion.
In The Wizard of Oz some might mistake Dorothy’s arrival in Oz as the inciting incident. However, the true inciting incident is the tornado that transports her to Oz, disrupting her ordinary life in Kansas.
2. Focusing Solely on External Events
Misconception: There’s a tendency to think of the inciting incident purely in terms of external events or actions. While external disruptions are common, internal shifts in the protagonist’s mindset or emotional state can also serve as powerful inciting incidents.
In The Pursuit of Happyness while the external event of Chris Gardner becoming homeless is significant, the internal inciting incident is his decision to pursue an unpaid internship, marking a shift in his mindset.
3. Believing It Must Be Dramatic or Action-Packed
Misconception: There’s a misconception that the inciting incident must involve high-stakes drama or action. In reality, it’s more about the significance of the disruption to the character’s life and the story’s central conflict.
In Lost in Translation the inciting incident is subtle. It involves the chance meeting of two lonely individuals in a foreign country, which sets the stage for a transformative connection.
4. Expecting a Single, Clearly Defined Incident
Misconception: Some expect a singular, easily identifiable event as the inciting incident. In complex narratives or character-driven stories, the inciting incident might be subtle or dispersed across multiple events.
In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind the inciting incident is dispersed across multiple memories being erased. The fragmented nature of the disruption adds complexity to the narrative.
5. Overlooking Character Reactions
Misconception: Writers might focus solely on the external event without delving into the protagonist’s emotional response or decision-making process. Character reactions and decisions are integral to the inciting incident.
In Forrest Gump when Jenny leaves, Forrest’s emotional reaction and his decision to run become the inciting incident, shaping his journey and the events that follow.
6. Assuming it Must Occur in the First Scene
Misconception: While the inciting incident often occurs early, there’s no strict rule dictating that it must happen in the first scene. Some stories build tension and context before introducing the disruptive event.
In The Dark Knight the true inciting incident is the Joker’s threat, which occurs after the initial bank heist scene. The tension builds gradually before the disruption takes center stage.
7. Neglecting to Connect It to the Overall Story
Misconception: Writers may introduce an inciting incident without a clear connection to the overall narrative. For the inciting incident to be effective, it should be an integral part of the larger story structure.
In Inception Cobb’s guilt over his wife’s death is not just a subplot but intricately connected to the main narrative. The inciting incident influences both his personal conflict and the heist plot.
8. Forgetting About Subplots
Misconception: Writers may focus exclusively on the main plot, overlooking the fact that subplots may have their own inciting incidents. Each significant storyline should have a disruption that contributes to the overall narrative.
In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Frodo’s journey with the One Ring is the main plot, but the inciting incidents for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli on their respective paths contribute to the larger story.
9. Not Considering Character Arcs
Misconception: Some may separate the inciting incident from the character’s arc, treating it merely as a plot device. The inciting incident should intertwine with the character’s journey, influencing their growth and transformation.
In Good Will Hunting the inciting incident involves Will’s arrest, but its impact on his emotional state and the subsequent therapeutic journey with Dr. Sean Maguire is integral to the narrative.
10. Expecting Immediate Resolution
Misconception: Writers might assume that the conflicts introduced by the inciting incident must be immediately resolved. However, the resolution often unfolds gradually, contributing to the rising action of the story.
In The Shawshank Redemption Andy Dufresne’s imprisonment and his resolve to maintain hope represent the inciting incident. The resolution of his escape unfolds gradually over the course of the film.
Do All Films Have An Inciting Incident?
While many films do have a discernible inciting incident, it’s not an absolute rule that every film must have a single, clear event that disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world. The presence and nature of an inciting incident can vary based on the narrative structure, genre, and storytelling style employed by filmmakers. However, it’s worth noting that even if a film doesn’t have a traditional inciting incident, there is typically some event or catalyst that sets the story in motion.
In some films, the disruption to the protagonist’s life might be gradual or implied, and the story may lack a singular, identifiable inciting incident. Experimental or non-linear narratives, for example, might present events in a way that deviates from a conventional structure.
Additionally, certain genres or film styles, like avant-garde cinema or some documentaries, may not adhere to traditional narrative structures and therefore may not have a distinct inciting incident as commonly understood in more mainstream storytelling.
That being said, the concept of an inciting incident is a useful and widely employed storytelling tool because it efficiently engages the audience, introduces conflict, and propels the protagonist into action. It provides a clear entry point into the narrative and helps establish the stakes and goals of the story. While not 100% mandatory, the presence of an inciting incident often contributes to a more engaging and accessible storytelling experience for the audience.
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