This is Part 8 of our Screenwriting Series
Catch up from the beginning here!
Introduction
The time of year is upon us once more! It’s Christmas, and another instalment of our Mastering the Art of Screenwriting series. Today, we’re talking all things holiday movies!
For as many Christmases as we can remember, holiday movies have held a special place in our hearts. Whether we’re gathering for a rewatch of It’s a Wonderful Life or discovering a new gem, holiday movies bring joy, warmth and magic to the season. It’s no wonder that many writers dream of writing the next big Christmas hit!
But what exactly goes into writing a festive favorite? In today’s blog we’ll unwrap the secrets of crafting a holiday movie script and how you can create your own Christmas magic!
What Makes a Movie a Holiday Movie?
In essence, holiday movies are about more than just tinsel and snow. They capture universal themes that resonate deeply with global audiences. Here are just a few of the ingredients to the quintessential holiday movie:
Family
Family is often at the center of a holiday movie. This could take on many different forms, such as reconnecting estranged relatives like in Four Christmases, cherishing bonds we already have like in Home Alone, or choosing family for ourselves like in The Holiday.
Whatever the relationships, these stories remind us of how important human connection is.
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Love and Romance
Continuing the focus on relationships, romance during the holiday season carries a unique charm. Take Love Actually and its intertwining love stories, or the sweet small-town romances we often see in Hallmark movies.
You’ll find that holiday movies will combine personal character transformations with the rollercoaster ride that is finding or rekindling love.
Holiday Spirit
Holiday movies often celebrate the often-elusive qualities of the season: generosity, kindness, and hope.
For example, The Grinch finds his heart growing three sizes, and George Bailey rediscovers the value of his life in It’s a Wonderful Life. The holiday spirit is the unseen force driving these stories forward, and not always just on Christmas Day. As long as a holiday movie embodies these key themes, it’s a sure candidate for festive viewing.
Classic vs. Modern Holiday Films
Of course, not all holiday movies are made the same, with the genre evolving over time. However, what they do share is the same goal: to bring nostalgia, joy, and reflection to their audiences.
Let’s put some of the classic Christmas movies against their modern counterparts who we also can’t quite get enough of!
Miracle on 34th Street vs. Elf
Released in 1947, Miracle on 34th Street is the epitome of a Christmas classic. We meet a department store Santa who claims to be the real deal, as well as a little girl who learns to believe.
The film’s charm lies in its sincerity and ability to balance whimsy with a heartfelt message about faith and kindness. The film was so popular that it received a remake in 1994 which has itself become regular viewing every Christmas!
Another movie with a message of kindness is Elf. Although it brings a modern twist to holiday storytelling, the film’s humor, quirky protagonist and fish-out-of-water narrative feel fresh. Since its release in 2003, Elf has itself become a classic, proving that holiday movies can be innovative while still hitting the emotional beats audiences crave.
White Christmas vs. The Christmas Chronicles
With its iconic music and nostalgia, White Christmas is a celebration of camaraderie, tradition and the magic of gatherings during the holidays. Its classic charm and amazing musical performances make it a perennial favorite!
With a fresh and adventurous take on Santa Claus, The Christmas Chronicles delivers humor and heart for a modern audience. Resonating with both children and adults, the movie and its recent sequel have an innovative approach to holiday magic.
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Breaking Down Hallmark’s Formula
But of course, we couldn’t talk about holiday movies without spending a little bit of time with the Hallmark Channel which has become synonymous with the season! Their formula is unmistakable, and a lot of the time, predictable.
Despite many of us working out the plot of Hallmark movies within the first five minutes, it doesn’t stop us feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. So, just how does the Hallmark formula work?
First, it has a relatable protagonist who is often a big-city professional returning to their small hometown or to a person from their past for help. It’s here that they discover the true meaning of life and love.
In The Sweetest Christmas, baker Kylie discovers she’s made it to the final of the American Gingerbread Competition, but there’s a problem – the oven she’s supposed to use breaks just before the contest. She finds herself reaching out to an old boyfriend who helps her. It’s not until her ex-boyfriend takes drastic action to try and win her back, that Kylie has a decision to make… and a gingerbread contest to win!
With a relatable protagonist comes the charming love interest, who’s often a rugged handsome local, a single parent, or someone who’s seemingly opposite to the protagonist. The chemistry between these two characters is undeniable despite initial misunderstandings.In The Holiday Sitter, Sam, a workaholic bachelor, finds himself babysitting his niece and nephew. As he struggles, he recruits help from a handsome neighbor and finds himself slowly falling in love.
Of course, what would a holiday movie be without the festive setting! Hallmark films are overflowing with picturesque snow-covered towns, twinkling lights, and cozy fireplaces. These settings are as much a character as the people in the story.Â
A Biltmore Christmas transports us back in time, combining the modern with the classic. Modern-day screenwriter Lucy is sent back to a set of the 1947 holiday movie classic His Merry Wife. The sets are intricate and sparkly, capturing the magic of old Hollywood movies and bringing it into our living rooms today!
While Hallmark movies are predictable, we can always expect plenty of feel-good, holiday tropes that include a dramatic misunderstanding all tied up in a resolution that solves everyone’s problems in the end. Yes, we know what’s coming, but somehow, we find comfort in the predictability that we wouldn’t with any other movie genre.Â
Key Elements of a Holiday Movie Script
So, you’ve decided you want to write a holiday script. Whether you’re writing a nostalgic family tale or quirky romantic comedy, there are certain elements you need to consider to your story stand out!
Captivating Settings
As we’ve seen from our movie picks so far, they thrive on visually stunning locations that evoke cheer. Ice-staking rinks, snow-covered forests and bustling Christmas markets are what it’s all about!Â
Check out Serendipity and Last Christmas for some wonderful examples of immersive and engaging locations!
Settings like these establish the mood and immerse the audience in a winter wonderland.
Tone
Tone is everything to a holiday movie. Make sure to strike a balance between light-hearted fun and emotional depth; while jokes are great, your audience needs to relate to your characters and buy into their story, so don’t rely on jokes alone.
The humor in Elf is family-friendly and quirky but also follows Buddy’s deeply personal quest to reunite with his father. Similarly, the dramatic moments in The Family Stone tug at the heart strings with some humor peppered in along the way.
For example, in the opening moments, Santa tries to have a joke with a flustered Everett. We can see his disillusioned manner, with some immediate humor injected with Santa. From page one, we know the kind of movie we’re in for.
Festive Themes
Why not try incorporating holiday traditions, symbols, and activities into your story? Just as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation uses tree decorating, The Princess Switch uses baking, and The Polar Express uses gift exchanges, such traditions in your screenplay not only adds charm to your story, but also provides character development opportunities abound.
Check out the parade scene from Jingle All the Way (1996), where writers describe the location in great detail, immersing ourselves in the world.
Emotional Stakes
While holiday movies are lighter in their tone, they still need high emotional stakes to engage audiences. In The Holiday, characters confront their loneliness and restore themselves through love and friendship.
Jingle All the Way sees a father race against time to secure the perfect gift and make amends with his son.
Whatever these stakes may be in your story, it’s crucial that you tie them to the themes of the holiday season. Think about what would happen if your character were to fail in their pursuit and what will they do to avoid that at all costs?
How Celtx Can Help You Stay Organized
Writing any movie is no small feat, let alone a holiday movie! Managing characters, subplots and festive details can quickly become overwhelming. Well let Celtx give you one less thing to worry about this Christmas. Our powerful suite of screenwriting tools is here to make all the difference to your screenwriting workflow before the New Year arrives!
Our fantastic scene breakdown feature allows you to outline your script scene by scene, ensuring a logical flow and proper pacing throughout. Tag key settings, props, and seasonal details to keep your holiday elements consistent from start to finish!
Check out our Script Breakdown Masterclass below, where we explore how to use our dedicated feature. The perfect solution for your next script!
If it’s more templates you need, then Celtx has them pre-built and tailored specifically for screenwriting. So, whether you decide to write a Hallmark-style romance or an ensemble comedy this holiday season, you’re sure to find a structure that suits your needs. Our templates make it easier to plug in classic tropes while putting your own spin on them.
From call sheets and film budgets, to storyboards and catalogs, Celtx has you covered!
While we all like to focus on our creativity when writing our screenplays, organization is key. Well, good news, as we have all the admin covered, covering everything from character arcs to cataloguing props, Celtx helps you stay organized with its intuitive interface.
If you decide to collaborate on your next holiday script, our collaboration tools are all you’ll need. Share your script with co-writers, directors or producers in real-time and receive their feedback instantly!
Wrapping it Up…
Holiday movies hold a timeless charm that brings us together, evoking warmth, nostalgia, and hope. Writing your own holiday script is a chance to weave magic into a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. By focusing on universal themes like love, family, and the holiday spirit, you can create a film that captures the essence of the season. Drawing inspiration from both classic and modern favorites, while embracing the creative tools at your disposal, sets the stage for success.
With Celtx’s comprehensive features guiding you along the way, you can organize ideas, collaborate seamlessly, and bring festive visions to life. So, embrace the glow of twinkling lights, the allure of snow-covered settings, and the power of heartfelt storytelling. Start crafting a tale that may one day join the ranks of beloved holiday classics.
Who knows? Your script could be the next reason for seasonal cheer!
Catch up with the rest of our Screenwriting Series:
- Part 1: Intro to Mastering the Art of Screenwriting
- Part 2:Â From Dreams to Screams: How to Write a Horror Script
- Part 3:Â From Dreams to Screams: How to Write a Horror Script Part 2
- Part 4:Â Beyond the Stars: How to Write a Science Fiction Script
- Part 5:Â Laugh Out Loud: How to Write a Comedy Script
- Part 6:Â From Tears to Triumphs: How to Write a Drama Script
- Part 7:Â From Meet-Cutes to Happy Endings: How to Write a Rom-Com Script
