Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion –

If you are familiar with physics, then you’ve probably heard of the brilliant English physicist, Isaac Newton, who wrote the most influential book in Science history called Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Newton wrote this world famous book in 1687 and in its pages, he describes Universal Gravitation and the three laws of motion.

So, what does this have to do with character development?  Do Isaac Newton’s credentials also include screenwriting?  I’m afraid not.  However, experienced screenwriters have been using the third law of motion written in Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica to build strong characters in their screenplays for years. 

In Newton’s third law, he explains that a force upon an object is a result from its interaction with another object.  In other words, forces result from interactions and for every action, there is an equal or opposite reaction.  Interaction = action and reaction.

Although this law was intended to be used for scientific purposes, it can be a valuable asset to writing a good screenplay.  Allow me to explain:

Let’s say that some kind of incident/event takes place in your screenplay that affects one of your characters.  Naturally, the character is going to have some sort of reaction to it.  The character’s reaction to the incident/event is one way of revealing to your audience your character’s personality because it allows them to see that character’s temperament when dealing with that kind of situation. 

Here’s an example:

In Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Batman is unable to save Rachel from the Joker’s sinister plan to demoralize the city of Gotham by overseeing the downfall of their role model and Rachel’s boyfriend, Harvey Dent.  As a result, Rachel dies and Harvey Dent, who is broken-hearted by the loss of his beloved-girlfriend, goes insane and turns into the notorious villain, Two-Face.

Now let’s compare this example with Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion:

Rachel’s death is the event (interaction) that occurs.

Her death affects Harvey Dent (action).

As a result of her death, Harvey goes insane and turns into the villain, Two Face (reaction).

Harvey’s transformation from role model to villain is his reaction to the action.

Harvey’s reaction to Rachel’s death reveals to the audience that Harvey wasn’t as “perfect” and as wholesome as the city of Gotham portrayed him to be.  When faced with the death of a loved one, Harvey reacted by becoming the very evil he had fought so hard to get rid of.

Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion is extremely important when writing your screenplay and developing your characters. In fact, you’ll find that Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion is included in every successful film and screenplay.  Why?  Because this law pertains to everyday life- people are always acting and reacting to things that affect them.  Every event and every circumstance requires some kind of action or reaction.  How you act or react reflects your character and gives others a glimpse of who you really are.  It should be the same with the characters you create in your screenplay.