How to Write the Best Biopic
Writing a biopic is as much an art as it is a science, calling on you—the screenwriter—to blend meticulous research with creative storytelling to capture the essence of the subject's life and legacy on screen. On top of that, you need to do it within a couple of hours of screen time (or 120 screenplay pages, give or take).
Here, we cover the broad strokes of how to write the best biopic by breaking down the dynamics of this type of screenplay and what goes into creating something special in the biopic realm.
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Forget the Formulas and Rules
Before we dive into the dynamics of biopics, we need to talk a little bit about formulas and rules that you’ll read on this subject, or any type of screenplay or film.
Yes, biopics can be formulaic. No, you do not need to follow preconceived formulas you may have read about in screenwriting books or posts. You can do whatever you would like. All too often, screenwriters lose sight of their vision. They forget that they are the talent bringing these stories to life. They are the ones with the vision of a story they would like to tell.
You need to showcase your vision the way you envision it while adhering to some basic guidelines and expectations the industry has for all screenplays.
Industry insiders won't read and consider a 300-page biopic script, unless your name is Aaron Sorkin or Christopher Nolan.
Read More: 5 Easy Hacks to Cut Your Script’s Page Count
You can’t craft a biopic script using an unconventional format that script readers aren’t used to.
But you certainly do not need to adhere to the conventions of biopics that came before yours.
Find a way to differentiate your biopic script from others
Create a hybrid of successful formulas and structures
Tell the story you want to tell the way you want it to be visually told
'Bob Marley: One Love'
Understand the Legalities of the Biopic
We won’t go into detail about legalities (for legal reasons), but here’s what we can say to help get you thinking about protecting yourself and your story.
Yes, screenwriters typically need to obtain legal rights to tell the story of a public figure in a biopic, especially if the screenplay is based on specific sources like books, articles, or other copyrighted material that provides a detailed account of the person's life.
Some legal issues include:
Right of Publicity
The right of publicity protects an individual's name, image, and likeness from unauthorized commercial use. Public figures should be aware that using their persona in a biopic, depending on the jurisdiction, could potentially violate their right to publicity. This is especially true if the portrayal is exploitative or commercially damaging.
Defamation and Privacy Concerns
Even public figures have rights to privacy in certain contexts, and depicting them in a false or misleading light could lead to defamation lawsuits. Screenwriters and producers need to be cautious about presenting unverified or speculative aspects of a person's life that could harm their reputation.
Copyright Issues
If a screenplay is based on copyrighted material (such as an autobiography, biography, interview, or article), the screenwriter must obtain permission from the copyright holder to use that material. This is often accomplished through option agreements, where the rights to adapt a work into a screenplay are secured.
Life Story Rights
To acquire life story rights, you must obtain permission from the subject of the biopic if they are alive, or from their estate if they are deceased. These rights can provide legal protection against claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, and right of publicity violations. Securing life story rights often also grants access to personal stories, insights, and materials that can enrich the screenplay.
But don’t let those legalities stop you from finding legal ways to write a biopic. Here are two nuances you can work from:
Public Domain: Stories of historical figures whose lives and works are in the public domain may not require explicit rights to be obtained.
Public Figures and Newsworthiness: There is a complex balance between the right to privacy and freedom of expression, especially regarding matters of public interest. Stories about public figures considered newsworthy or based on documented historical facts might not always require permission.
Historical figures are easy subjects to center biopics around. Steven Spielberg didn’t need to get permission from Abraham Lincoln’s heirs. Nor did Ridley Scott need to get approval from France or Napolean Bonaparte’s descendants.
Regardless, given the complexities and potential legal implications, screenwriters should consult with legal experts specializing in intellectual property and entertainment law when developing biopics about public figures. This ensures that they navigate the legal landscape effectively and respect the rights of the individuals whose stories they wish to tell.
But let’s say none of that is an issue. You’ve taken care of it. Or perhaps a production company, studio, network, or streamer has covered the legalities and hired you to write a biopic. Where do you start? What are your options?
'Blonde'
What Kind of Biopic Do You Want to Write?
Writing a biopic movie requires a delicate balance of factual accuracy, dramatic storytelling, and ethical considerations. Biopics recount the lives of historical, public, and famous figures, translating their stories onto the screen in a way that both educates and entertains the audience.
There are generally three types of biopic movies.
1. The Cradle-to-Grave Biopic
This type of biopic covers the subject's entire life, from birth to death, and sometimes it is less about the literal birth-to-death timeline and more about showing the early stages of life before their rise to power, fame, success, or infamy. It's a comprehensive approach, providing perspective on the person's journey by highlighting formative experiences, major accomplishments, and pivotal moments.
A clear character arc is essential, showing the subject's growth, challenges, and transformations over time. This is where the cradle-to-grave approach works best because the character arc is more present when we see the subjects earlier in life, then slowly watching the characters grow and evolve into their later years.
This also helps identify central themes that recur throughout the subject's life that can help unify the narrative and provide deeper insights into their character and impact.
Cinematic examples include:
Gandhi (1982)
Chronicling the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi from his South African beginnings to his assassination in India, this quintessential cradle-to-grave biopic focuses on his philosophy, struggles, and achievements in leading India to independence.
Ray (2004)
This film follows the life of Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, through his rise to fame in the music industry, battling racism, drug addiction, and personal tragedy, showcasing his contributions to music and civil rights.
Oppenheimer (2023)
While not a true cradle-to-grave biopic like Ray, we do begin the story early on in his education and then through his whole career leading up to and beyond the creation of the atomic bomb.
2. Story Window Biopic
Story Window biopics concentrate on a specific, defining period of the subject's life rather than their entire life story. This type often zeroes in on a career-defining project, a pivotal moment, or a significant crisis that shaped the person's legacy.
By narrowing the scope, writers can delve deeper into the intricacies of the subject's experiences, motivations, and the context of the chosen timeframe.
Focusing on a condensed period allows for a tighter narrative with more immediate stakes and dramatic tension, engaging the audience more directly with the subject's challenges and triumphs.
This approach offers an opportunity for a more specific in-depth character study, exploring the subject's psychology and personal growth during one of the most critical periods in their life.
Cinematic examples include:
Steve Jobs (2015)
Aaron Sorkin’s script focuses on three pivotal product launches in the career of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, delving into his personal and professional challenges during those times, rather than covering his entire life.
Selma (2014)
This film narrows in on three months in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition, culminating in the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
Lincoln (2012)
Steven Spielberg’s film primarily focuses on the final months of Abraham Lincoln's life, specifically his efforts to pass the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
3. The Anthology Biopic
The anthology biopics break from the linear narrative, presenting the subject's life through vignettes, flashbacks, or thematic segments. This type allows for a more experimental storytelling structure, highlighting different aspects of the person's life, philosophy, and impact from multiple angles.
Within this type of narrative, writers can experiment with non-linear timelines, thematic connections, and stylistic elements to weave narrative segments into a cohesive whole. Different viewpoints and voices can enrich the narrative, providing a more rounded and complex portrait of the subject.
Character arcs are a bit more difficult to communicate using this type of narrative. However, if you work the anthological structure with style, you can showcase a more creative way to present the character arc through your subject’s journey.
Cinematic examples include:
I'm Not There (2007)
The unique film portrays different aspects of Bob Dylan's life and persona through six characters, each embodying a different phase or element of his life and work, using an anthological approach to explore the complexity of its subject.
Love & Mercy (2014)
This film presents the life of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys in two parallel narratives—one during the 1960s, focusing on his creative peak and struggles with mental health, and another in the 1980s, covering his legal battle and recovery. It's an innovative approach highlights different critical periods in Wilson's life.
Rocketman (2019)
This musical biopic of Elton John employs a fantastical approach to recount his rise to fame, struggles with addiction, and personal relationships. Rather than strictly adhering to chronological events, it uses his music to anchor emotionally resonant moments in his life, creating an anthological feel through its thematic and musical vignettes. It takes a cradle-to-grave approach by going back to his youth and then to later in his life but does so in anthological form.
Do Your Research
Authenticity and accuracy are crucial in biopics. Extensive research ensures the story respects the facts and will help you to identify compelling narrative threads within the research.
When you’re dealing with historical subjects, you can go through historical documents, old press writings, and non-fiction books on the subject to get your facts straight. However, you will notice that history does tend to be written not by the subjects and their factual actions, but by sometimes subjective eyes. This is especially true with political figures.
Regardless, research is key. Read and watch everything you can on the subject and for facts and details that provide cinematic value for your story.
Keep your eyes peeled for:
Love interests
Antagonists
Levity
Irony
Struggles and conflicts
Cliffhangers
Character-defining moments
Know the facts. But also know that facts aren’t enough to tell a cinematic story.
Embrace Creative Liberties
The difficult aspect of researching biopics is that you can’t focus on the research alone to tell the story. The facts and details are great, but they aren’t always cinematic.
You need to be able to take creative liberties, fill in the unknowns or undocumented with educational assumptions, and choose broad strokes of the facts to tell a story that audiences will want to watch.
Do you recall the powerful closing argument delivered by Jim Garrison, portrayed with exceptional skill by Kevin Costner, in Oliver Stone's film JFK?
It never happened.
Remember the intense fight scene in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, where Bruce Lee's rival, Wong Jack Man, appears to concede defeat but then unexpectedly strikes Bruce in the back? This treacherous blow results in a severe spinal injury, leaving Bruce partially paralyzed and leading to the period where he formulates his Jeet Kune Do philosophy.
It never happened, at least the back injury part (he hurt himself lifting weights).
Remember the inspiring moment of the sports drama Rudy, where the team refuses to play unless Rudy gets to suit up for the final game?
It never happened.
All of these scenes were artistic licenses developed by the writers and directors to convey the emotional elements and themes of the story.
True stories often span several years, encompassing numerous events and locations. However, with a feature film's typical duration of around two hours, screenwriters face the challenge of condensing these narratives.
This constraint necessitates creative adjustments in storytelling. Screenwriters might have to omit significant events and characters or merge multiple individuals into a single character to streamline the story and prevent cluttering the script. Sometimes, fictional characters are introduced seamlessly, connecting and supporting the narrative's flow.
Dialogue and interactions among chosen characters are crafted to enhance the narrative. These adaptations construct an engaging cinematic experience for viewers. While documentaries aim to present facts, biopics strive to capture the essence of the subject's journey through entertainment.
Do your best to balance fact with fiction—and always aim towards creating the most compelling, cinematic, and cathartic experience for your audience.
Read More: How to Master Creative Liberties in True Story Screenplays
The Secret to Writing Great Biopics?
Writing a biopic is a tightrope between sticking to the real story and adding a dash of movie magic. It's about finding those true moments that scream to be on the screen, whether you're telling someone's whole life story, zooming in on their biggest challenge, or mixing up different parts of their life in a creative way.
It’s easy for people to watch documentaries about the likes of Gandhi, Lincoln, and Oppenheimer. They can learn all of the facts to get an understanding of the impact they had on the world.
Biopics are different. The secret to writing great biopics isn’t about facts or hyperbole. It’s about helping the audience understand their journey, empathize with their emotions, and walk in their shoes for a couple of hours to comprehend the magnitude of their impact on the world.
We want to understand where they came from, why they did what they did, and how they accomplished what they accomplished. But we also want to relate to what they went through on an emotional level by way of universal themes and ideas presented through cinematic artistry.
Digging deep into research, being honest in your storytelling, and bringing real people to life on the page are key. The goal? To make movies that tell us about someone's life and connect audiences to a bigger human story. The best biopics are the ones that entertain, teach, and touch our hearts, showing us that, in the end, we're all part of the same big, messy, beautiful life.
Lastly, Choose Your Biopic Subjects Wisely
Lastly, Choose Your Biopic Subjects Wisely
In the end, Hollywood is a business. It’s bad business to do something that has already been done. Most production companies, studios, networks, and streamers won’t be looking for the “next” biopic about X subject. They’ll be looking for the first.
If you manage to have a different take on what’s been done before, be sure that it is very innovative and different.
Consider these factors to ensure you’re on the right path to selecting a subject wisely:
1. Compelling Story
Look for a subject with a compelling story that offers both a unique perspective and universal themes. The best biopic subjects often face significant obstacles, experience profound transformations, or impact the world in meaningful ways.
Find the most compelling stories that haven’t been told. And if others have tried, find your unique take on the subject.
2. Audience Interest
Consider the potential audience's interest in the subject. Is the person well-known enough to draw an audience based on name recognition? Or does their story have a hook that will attract viewers even if they're not familiar with the subject?
Once again, Hollywood is a business. If you’re writing about an obscure public figure that most people don’t know, Hollywood may be scared off. That said, there’s something about bringing an unknown but enthralling, engaging, or inspiring story to light with a great biopic.
3. Cultural Relevance
Subjects that resonate with current cultural conversations or themes can make a biopic more timely and relevant. Consider how the subject's life or achievements align with or contrast contemporary issues. This can enhance the impact of your story and make it easier to not only sell but find a greater audience.
4. Emotional Depth
The best biopics delve into the emotional and psychological complexities of their subjects. Choose a subject whose personal journey and conflicts will engage audiences, offering insight into the human condition.
'Elvis'
5. Unexplored or Misunderstood Aspects
Subjects overlooked by history or whose stories have been misunderstood offer an opportunity to bring new perspectives and truths to light. These stories can offer fresh material that intrigues audiences and adds to the public understanding of the subject.
6. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Consider the feasibility of securing life rights or the necessity of navigating around potential legal and ethical issues. Handle the subject's privacy, family considerations, and the implications of dramatizing real-life events with care and respect.
7. Personal Passion
Finally, choose a subject you are passionate about. Writing a biopic requires a deep dive into another person's life and often a long commitment through the development process. A genuine interest in the subject will sustain your motivation and bring authenticity to the work.
'Dreamgirls'
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Use these directives to help you hone in on what you need to do to write the best possible biopic you can. In the end, it’s like writing any screenplay.
Engage the audience
Connect with them using universal themes and cathartic narratives
Create a cinematic story
Understand what type of biopic you want to write. Do your research. Embrace creative liberties. And choose your subjects well.
Read More: 40 Incredible Movies Based on True Stories
CHECK OUT OUR PREPARATION NOTES SO YOU START YOUR STORY OFF ON THE RIGHT TRACK!
Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.
He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76
The post How to Write the Best Biopic appeared first on ScreenCraft.
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