Grab your FREE PDF: http://www.jamesahurst.com/dialogue
Want to write scenes that crackle with tension? In this video, screenwriter James A. Hurst breaks down a powerful storytelling technique used in Breaking Bad, Fleabag, Parasite, Insecure, Succession, and The Sopranos—the Unity of Opposites.
This is the same screenwriting concept that’s helped me in my work on shows like Wynonna Earp, The Hardy Boys, and Flashpoint—and it’ll take your story structure, conflict, and dialogue to the next level.
Once you understand how to trap your characters in conflict they can’t escape, your scenes will carry more weight, and your story will practically write itself.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
- How to use the Unity of Opposites to create unstoppable conflict
- Why most writers sabotage their own scenes without realizing it
- How to apply this technique using a simple 3-part exercise
- What makes shows like Breaking Bad and Fleabag so damn watchable
📺 Case Studies Covered:
- Breaking Bad
- Fleabag
- Parasite
- Insecure
- Succession
- The Sopranos
📌 Drop your own Unity of Opposites dynamic in the comments—I’ll read them while pretending to work on my next script.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - The Secret Engine Behind Great Scripts
00:41 - FREE Guide: Write Dialogue Like a Boss
00:56 - Unveiling the Technique: The Unity of Opposites
02:07 - Defining the Unity of Opposites
03:47 - Case Study: Breaking Bad (Walt & Jesse)
04:39 - Case Study: Insecure (Issa & Molly)
05:23 - Case Study: Succession
05:54 - Case Study: Tony Soprano
06:34 - Case Study: Fleabag
06:57 - Masterclass: Parasite
09:18 - How to Use It: Practical Exercise
11:04 - Final Thoughts