"Any time you get two people in a room who disagree about anything, the time of day, there is a scene to be written. That's what I look for"
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Aaron Sorkin’s observation delivers a blueprint for compelling drama: conflict forms the heart of storytelling. He highlights that even the smallest disagreement, such as over the time of day, holds the potential for a scene worth writing. Conversation becomes alive when viewpoints clash, whether the subject is substantial, politics, morality, love, or as trivial as the morning hour. What matters is not the topic itself, but the presence of opposition, the tension that arises when different truths occupy the same space.
For Sorkin, two characters in a room expressing discord set the stage. Their disagreement becomes an engine that powers dialogue, revealing personalities, backstories, ambitions, vulnerabilities, and agendas. It’s less about the subject and more about what the disagreement exposes: character emotions, stakes, and desires. The friction creates energy; the search for consensus or the pursuit of victory gives characters motivation. Conflict brings out the essence of individuals under pressure. Will they defend their opinions with reason, sarcasm, or desperation? Are they speaking the truth or hiding something behind their argument?
Drama hinges on conflict because resolution is compelling. Viewers or readers become invested, whose perspective will prevail, or will compromise arise? The rhythm of discourse, the rapid back-and-forth, is not just entertainment but illumination. Audiences learn about who the characters are and what they care about, through the way they debate even the most banal issues.
Sorkin’s approach turns mundane disputes into microcosms of larger themes, suggesting that the seeds of engaging drama exist in everyday interactions. Every disagreement is a stage where deeper motives, fears, and passions play out. Writers need not seek grand dilemmas; any point of contention can ignite a meaningful, dynamic scene. That’s what makes human relationships complex, and stories memorable.
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