Joachim Trier, the acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker behind work like The Worst Person in the World and Sentimental Value, offers screenwriters a master class in storytelling that goes beyond formulas and structure.
Drawing from his recent conversation on Scriptnotes and insights highlighted in No Film School’s breakdown of his approach, Trier’s creative philosophy emphasizes character depth, thematic clarity, and narrative confidence—lessons that resonate whether you’re writing film, podcasts with narrative arcs, or serialized video content.
1. Let Characters Inform Story Structure
One of Trier’s core principles is that character should come before plot mechanics. Rather than building a screenplay around beats or structural templates, he and co-writer Eskil Vogt spend extensive time exploring who their characters are, what they want, and what internal complexities define them. This process, which can take months of development before the first draft, ensures the story’s emotional and psychological logic originates from lived characters, not arbitrary plot mechanics.
This approach can be transformative for creators tackling long-form narratives or character-driven podcasts: the relationship between what your characters feel and what happens to them should be the engine of your storytelling, not an afterthought.
2. Know Your Ending Early
Trier argues that knowing where a story ends—even if the details evolve—gives writers a true sense of direction for the middle of a script. Crafting an ending upfront allows you to calibrate pacing, thematic stakes, and emotional rhythms with intention.
For creators of serial content or episodic series, this lesson is invaluable. If you know the narrative destination, you can weave in thematic callbacks and character beats that pay off meaningfully when the audience reaches your climax.
3. Establish Narrative Authority in Your Opening
In Sentimental Value, the opening sequence doesn’t immediately introduce a character—it establishes the story’s narrative authority. Trier uses evocative imagery of a family home through time to set the tone, theme, and emotional stakes before any dialogue or traditional character introduction.
For creative projects, especially ones relying on audience investment early (like podcasts or video series), investing in an intentional opening sequence that sets expectations and tone can make a major difference. It tells your audience this world matters and is worth following.
4. Introduce Characters Through Challenges
Instead of showing characters in neutral moments, Trier often introduces them in situations that reveal stakes, personality, and conflict. For example, in Sentimental Value, a central character’s nervous breakdown before a performance tells us about her internal world more effectively than any exposition ever could.
This lesson applies across formats: presenting characters at their most vulnerable or conflicted instantly gives your audience context and compelling reasons to care about what happens next.
5. Use Ambiguity With Purpose
Trier acknowledges that ambiguity can be a powerful storytelling tool—but only when grounded in clarity about character and narrative goals. Rather than vague storytelling, purposeful ambiguity invites audiences to lean into the nuances of your script with curiosity rather than confusion.
For creators making podcast narratives, documentaries, or hybrid formats, ambiguity can enrich emotional engagement when used judiciously, adding complexity without loss of direction.
Takeaways for Creators and Writers
Joachim Trier’s screenwriting lessons aren’t about rigid structures; they are about intentionality. Whether you’re a filmmaker, narrative podcaster, or multimedia storyteller, his emphasis on depth, clarity, and emotional nuance can deepen your craft. Invite your characters to shape the storytelling framework, anchor your narrative with a clear ending, introduce your world with confidence, and use complexity to deepen engagement—not derail it.
By applying these principles, creators can elevate their narratives from functional stories to deeply resonant experiences that stay with audiences long after the final scene or final episode.
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