Story Arc
A Story Arc is the way a story develops from beginning to end in movies, TV shows, or other written content. Think of it like a road map that shows how characters grow, how conflicts develop, and how everything gets resolved. Writers use story arcs to keep audiences interested and make sure the story feels complete and satisfying. It's similar to plotting a journey - there's usually a starting point, some challenges along the way, a big moment where everything comes to a head, and then a conclusion. When you see this term in resumes or job descriptions, it means the person has experience in planning and developing complete story structures.
Examples in Resumes
Developed the Story Arc for a 12-episode Netflix series
Created compelling Story Arcs and character development for multiple award-winning screenplays
Managed multiple Story Arc revisions for a successful TV drama series
Typical job title: "Screenwriters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Screenwriters
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle multiple story arcs in a series while maintaining viewer engagement?
Expected Answer: Senior writers should discuss managing main and subplot arcs, balancing character development, and maintaining story continuity across multiple episodes or seasons while keeping audiences invested.
Q: Tell me about a time when you had to significantly revise a story arc due to production constraints.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate problem-solving abilities, flexibility in storytelling, and experience in adapting story elements while maintaining narrative quality and meeting production requirements.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure your story arc resonates with the target audience?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for understanding audience expectations, incorporating feedback, and adjusting story elements to maintain viewer interest while staying true to the core narrative.
Q: Describe how you develop character arcs that support the main story arc.
Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for creating character growth that enhances the main story, showing understanding of how personal character journeys contribute to the overall narrative.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic elements of a story arc?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the fundamental parts of a story structure: setup, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution in simple terms.
Q: How do you start planning a story arc?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic approach to outlining a story, including how they plan major plot points and develop the story's progression from beginning to end.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic story structure understanding
- Character development fundamentals
- Script formatting
- Scene writing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Multiple subplot management
- Series development
- Script revision and editing
- Collaboration with production teams
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex narrative development
- Show running experience
- Team leadership and mentoring
- Long-form series planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic story structure
- Unable to explain character development
- Lack of completed writing samples
- No experience with script formatting
- Poor understanding of audience engagement
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
From Ghost Town to Talent Hub: Transforming Your Careers Blog into a Talent Magnet
Unlocking Team Potential: Personality Mapping for Dynamic Management
Succession Planning: Your Company's Future-Proof Strategy
