Brevis & ThaneCloud
Brevis Brevis
ThaneCloud ThaneCloud
Brevis Brevis
Hey Thane, I’ve been mapping out the pacing curve for a new screenplay, trying to balance intensity and silence—how do you decide when a character should breathe versus when the tension should stay tight?
ThaneCloud ThaneCloud
It’s in the quiet moments that you hear the weight of the silence. Let a character breathe when the stakes feel almost too heavy to hold; pull the tension tight when the next beat would feel like a punch. Think of it like a breath you can’t quite catch—when you feel the pause, you give the audience room to feel it. When you keep the rhythm sharp, you keep them on the edge. Just follow the story’s pulse; the rest will happen.
Brevis Brevis
Good point, Thane. I'll map the beats, keep the rhythm tight when stakes spike, and give space when the tension feels too heavy. That should keep the pulse steady.
ThaneCloud ThaneCloud
Sounds like you’re on the right track. Keep that rhythm, and let the pauses speak louder than the loudest line.
Brevis Brevis
Thanks, Thane. I’ll keep the cadence sharp and let the silence do the talking.