Why I Hate B-Plots

When you're writing a B-Plot into your story, it's important to know what that means and why you are actually adding another plot. Too many writers add one because "it's what everyone does." Today I want to take a look at the B-Plot and how to correctly integrate it into your screenplay.

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#Screenwriting

[cjkalandek]

I _do_ hate it when scripts include a B-plot for a romance just because they feel their script is "obligated" to have a romance.

[jayfolk]

Fast Food: "#1 Combo, Medium Fry and a Coke. Is that right sir?"
Tyler: "But does it have a *Core Philosophical Conflict?"*
Great videos. Thank you again.

[chrisp]

I think Whiplash is a great example for a good "B-Plot". The love story perfectly shows how far Andrew is wanting to go with his beliefs.

[atomicdancer]

My hatred of bee plots:
"Oh no, not the bees! Not the bees!
Oh, they're in my eyes! My eyes!
Aaaaagghhh!"

[maybeitsceline]

So you hate unnecessary subplots or subplots that exist for the sole purpose of adding pages ✍🏼 got it

[capybaratherapy]

Just an example: In interstellar the B-plot is Dr Brand's love for Dr Edmunds, and it works because the B-plot challenges Cooper's way of thinking and supports the theme (love being a part of science and transcending all dimensions, or something like that). I could be wrong, I dunno.

[ЖудаМ]

I used a B-Plot to my script because it was totally linked to the main plot, showed many sides of the two main characters and aspects that wouldnt appear naturally with other characters. Basically shows their growth along their Journey, and from the franchise I am trying to build, they are the most important aspect.

And I fully agree with you, we never should add something for obligation or because is cool for the sake of cool, it needs to have meaning in the story as a whole, and for the characters involved. If not, it will be flat, boring, cliche and cringe.

[grassrootsfilm]

You're making a great point, but I was hoping to learn more after you first told it, while I felt like you merely repeated yourself after that. I would've rather seen it analyzed further or seen an example or sth.

[markparkinson]

I like how you title this video preferentially by saying that "I do not like something", rather than saying authoritatively, "It should be done this way", like you do in a good portion of your videos.

[oliverhanson]

IMO, the best instance of creating a love interest character has to be "The Fly"


The main conflict in the movie involves Jeff Goldblum slowly destroying itself, which on its own really wouldn't be much, but with the added benefit of a love interest you see the conflict of their relationship falling apart as the protagonist himself falls apart, which adds a new level of weight to the story. Most importantly it creates a more human element to the story

[huckwalton]

I like how Blake Snyder puts the b-story after the break into act 2, because this ensures your protagonist has agency in there break into the second act, causing them to meet someone who will be important to there quest.

[Nerf_Jeez]

Love also does not happen randomly and should never just be between the main male and female characters for the sake of a little spice;
Thing is that, love is quite deliberate and practical as it's essentially a form of great admiration of a person which leads to a want to protect, help and to be with that person. It involves certain traits or beliefs that both lovers seek from each other. A guy who thinks that being altruistic and putting others before yourself is the right way to live will fall for just that type of girl. And not just some random randy who decides to flirt for a bit. But if the altruistic girl is looking for a grand visionary on a mission to change the world, she might not like the first guy. It's a great joy to be admired and put on a pedestal by the person you admire and have put on a pedestal. Now that's a strong relationship.
I believe love to be a clearly philosophical process because of this search for a person who practically reaffirms your view of the world and the right way to live just by existing which leads you to wish them to be happy, as to prolong that security of beliefs, to prove them, and to reward the other person for following 'the right way'. If two people believe the same thing it's more likely that their view is at least a little objective. More objective than the view of a single person. (pun not intended)
And isn't that what everyone wants? To objectively know the world and thus to excell in it. That's why we tell stories, isn't it?
The views of both lovers can be similar enough for love to ensue but that still leaves plenty of room for conflict between them, which is, of course, as Tyler has taught us, the real meat of the story.

just don't make love random ok?
purposeful love for a purposeful story

[emiliomanueldepedro]

I would like you to make a video on how to create a good villain and another on how to write a dark story

[Emannzo]

You're a great student and that's why you're a great teacher. Thanks for your videos my man.

[dajex]

Damn dude, I don’t understand why you don’t have more views/likes! This is so freaking helpful in so many ways.

[YouCanCallMeCaius]

I genuinely LOVE the similarities to the actor's work here. What must you over come? vs waffling or in this case padding out with irrelevant story that does not lead to the main objective. Great post...as always!

[therohanexperiment]

Teacher : what is twinkle twinkle little stars about?
Tyler : Its clearly an alegory about mans desire to dicover space

[tomerfeller]

you know you've learned well from Tyler when you hear about a guy trying to just fill up the script to a specific page number and you already say to yourself "well that's just adding things without supporting the character's main conflict!" thanks Tyler, for keeping on showing me how I improved because of you

[cdscissor]

I feel B-plots are completely unnecessary in most media where there's a b-plot. Except for Phineas and Ferb, where the b-plot is completely integrated with the a-plot that it just wouldn't work without a b-plot. And yes before anyone says it, Phineas and Ferb often also feature a C-plot along with the A and B-plot.

[grantlopez]

I've been thinking a lot about subplots recently. This video came just at the right time! Love your videos, keep up the great work!