Power Analysis Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

Analyzing conflict dynamics in a scene
Strengthening antagonist relationships
Identifying why a scene feels flat
Developing tension and stakes

Understanding Power Structure

Power in a screenplay flows between characters, shifting throughout scenes and acts. Understanding power dynamics helps create compelling conflict.

Types of Conflict

Immediate Conflict: Conflict happening right now, in the present moment of the scene.

Physical confrontation
Verbal argument
Direct obstacle

Imminent Conflict: Conflict that is about to happen, creating tension and anticipation.

Approaching deadline
Inevitable confrontation
Looming threat

Best Practice: The most effective scenes often contain BOTH immediate and imminent conflict.

Power Analysis Exercise

Part 1: Film Analysis

Watch a film you admire and analyze the movement of power throughout.

## Power Analysis: [FILM TITLE]

### Power Shifts by Act

ACT ONE:
| Scene | Power Holder | Shift To | How |
|-------|--------------|----------|-----|
| | | | |

ACT TWO:
| Scene | Power Holder | Shift To | How |
|-------|--------------|----------|-----|
| | | | |

ACT THREE:
| Scene | Power Holder | Shift To | How |
|-------|--------------|----------|-----|
| | | | |

### Observations
- Who holds power at the start?
- How many times does power shift?
- What techniques cause power shifts?
- Who holds power at the end?

Part 2: Conflict Scene Writing

Exercise A: Write a scene with ONLY immediate conflict.

Two characters in direct opposition
Conflict is happening NOW
No reference to future consequences

Exercise B: Write a scene with ONLY imminent conflict.

Tension from what's about to happen
Characters aware of approaching crisis
No direct confrontation in the scene

Exercise C: Write a scene with BOTH immediate AND imminent conflict.

Present struggle
Plus awareness of greater threat
Layered tension

Part 3: Desire/Obstacle Analysis

The following examples have a desire and obstacle. Create a reason that does not allow compromise to be an option.

Example:

DESIRE: Sally wants a new job so that she can move on with her life.
OBSTACLE: Her father, the boss, is the nicest guy in the world.
          It will break his heart if she quits.
REASON COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION: ___________________

Your Story:

DESIRE: ___________________________________
OBSTACLE: ___________________________________
KIND OF CONFLICT: [ ] Immediate [ ] Imminent [ ] Both
REASON COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION: ___________________________________

Part 4: Story Power Audit

Take the story you're working on and identify the key elements of power, conflicts, and rising stakes. Eliminate or combine any elements that do not contribute to these.

## Power Audit: [YOUR SCRIPT TITLE]

### Key Power Elements
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________

### Conflict Inventory
| Scene | Conflict Type | Power Dynamic | Stakes |
|-------|--------------|---------------|--------|
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |

### Rising Stakes Progression
ACT ONE STAKES: ___________________________________
ACT TWO STAKES: ___________________________________
ACT THREE STAKES: ___________________________________

### Elements to ELIMINATE (don't contribute to power/conflict):
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________

### Elements to COMBINE:
1. ___________________________________ + ___________________________________

Power Dynamic Patterns

Classic Power Structures

Seesaw: Power constantly shifts between protagonist and antagonist
Descent: Protagonist steadily loses power until the climax
Ascent: Protagonist steadily gains power (underdog story)
Reversal: Major power shift at midpoint
Illusion: Perceived power holder is not the real power

Power Sources

Physical: Strength, weapons, numbers
Positional: Authority, title, rank
Economic: Money, resources, property
Knowledge: Information, secrets, skills
Relational: Loyalty, love, obligation
Moral: Righteousness, justice, truth

Scene Power Checklist

For each major scene, verify:

Power holder is clear at scene start
At least one power shift occurs
Immediate OR imminent conflict present
Stakes are established
Compromise is not an easy option
Scene ends with changed power dynamic

Validation Checklist

Analyzed reference film for power movement
Wrote immediate conflict scene
Wrote imminent conflict scene
Wrote combined conflict scene
Identified protagonist's desire/obstacle/no-compromise
Audited script for power elements
Eliminated non-contributing elements

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