If there is a modern-day aspiring figure to look to when dreaming of breaking into Hollywood as a screenwriter, Diablo Cody is the writer to look to. The stripper-phone sex operator-blogger turned Academy Award-winning screenwriter seemingly overnight, thanks to a random email from Mason Novick recommending her to write a spec script that became Juno, is a Hollywood success story we all dream of.
With Cody’s latest film, Lisa Frankenstein, hitting theaters in February, let’s look back at her screenplays and learn five trademarks of Diablo Cody that we can implement into our screenwriting practices.
MacGuffins
Diablo Cody is known for using MacGuffins. Popularized by Alfred Hitchcock, MacGuffins is a story device that exists purely to drive the plot forward but has no real significance. Cody’s MacGuffins have two purposes in her scrips: to move the plot forward and explore social issues.
Cody’s screenplays often focus on a character facing a challenge. These challenges are often the MacGuffins. In Juno, the MacGuffin is Juno’s (Elliot Page) pregnancy. Juno’s journey to self-discovery is what makes this teen pregnancy story matter. Pregnancy is also a symbol of choices that women should have when it comes to their bodies and their lives.
MacGuffins can be anything that the author wants them to be as long as they are necessary to the plot and drive the character’s actions.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know about MacGuffins
‘Juno’
Clever, Quirky Dialogue
Cody’s clever, quirky dialogue helped her make a name for herself in Hollywood. While some of you may cringe when reading, “He’s the macaroni to my cheese,” or “You’re totally lesbigay,” this dialogue represents a niche corner of the internet that Cody is obsessed with. She can craft this lingo into sharp one-liners and to create engaging back-and-forth conversations between characters.
The characters in Cody’s narratives often have speech patterns that deviate from traditional dialogue and incorporate slang, colloquialisms, and pop cultural references with a sense of authenticity and relatability. On top of this, Cody uses dialogue to reveal personalities, motivations, insecurities, and relationships through a unique perspective.
Her dialogue often carries undertones of social commentary and satire through her references. By poking at the zeitgeist, the audience can understand these characters and their obsessions at a deeper level. It also makes puns, sarcasm, and double entendres more engaging.
Cody’s mastery of dialogue is not for everyone, but that is the point. Dialogue is her trademark in her screenwriting success. It set her apart and captured the audience’s attention (and the Academy Awards).
‘Jennifer’s Body’
The Diablo Cody Narrative
Cody is not afraid to experiment with different narrative structures and pacing, allowing her to take unexpected turns that surprise audiences. Using unreliable narrators and unexpected plot twists keeps the audience engaged and invested in the stakes presented.
In Young Adult, Mavis (Charlize Theron) shows the audience her biased version of the world we are living in, yet her perspective and perception are not always trustworthy. Our unreliable narrator forces us to engage with the story and decipher her true intentions.
Cody’s narratives are peppered with unexpected moments that subvert expectations. These plot twists often have nothing to do with the MacGuffin introduced in the story but offer something that challenges the characters. In Tully, the introduction of a mysterious night nanny adds to the suspense while questioning the nature of reality and the protagonist’s mental state.
Read More: How to Develop Your Voice as a Screenwriter
‘Tully’
Pop Culture References Galore
Cody’s scripts often incorporate pop culture references that help elevate the social commentaries and relatable character studies she writes. From music to movies to fashion trends to celebrity gossip, Cody’s ability to weave pop culture into the narratives proves her understanding of social commentary.
There are several ways that Cody embeds pop culture references in her screenplays.
In Young Adult, Mavis is haunted by ’90s pop culture and shows her inability to let go of the past and adapt to the present. Addressing popular culture helps anchor the story in a specific era while showcasing what matters to a character. Pop culture can also show character bonds, establish common ground, or reveal differences in perspective.
Cody also uses pop culture to serve as subtle social commentary. She highlights trends, stereotypes, and cultural norms to satirize or critique her narratives. In Jennifer’s Body, the superficiality of the high school social hierarchy and obsession with celebrity gossip are mocked through their pop culture references.
These references serve not merely as throwaway lines but as integral components of the character’s identities and the broader cultural context of the stories that help the audience connect to the story.
‘Young Adult’
Exploration of Social Issues
By now, you have probably noticed that social issues have been prominent in Cody’s work. It’s true: Cody often tackles social taboos in her screenplays in nontraditional ways. Cody challenges the issue through a new lens. She does this through her use of relatable characters and unconventional storytelling techniques.
Cody’s films already challenge norms by talking about teen girl issues, a demographic that is often largely ignored by Hollywood despite being the influencers of popular culture. In Jennifer’s Body, Jennifer uses her female sexuality to devour men who only see her as an object.
Beyond issues of adolescents and identity formation, Cody’s film likes to explore the complexities of motherhood and diverse forms of family dynamics. From single parenting, blended families, and unconventional parenting choices, Cody highlights that each story looks at the normality and functionality of complex family bonds and the importance of understanding for a character to complete their story arc.
Through her nuanced and insightful exploration of social issues, Diablo Cody’s films spark conversations about contemporary society, challenging viewers to confront societal norms, question gender stereotypes, and embrace diversity and self-acceptance.
‘Lisa Frankenstein’
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Diablo Cody is a talented screenwriter with a natural understanding of a story. Great screenwriting extends beyond the words characters say. It is about the emotional depth of a story, the completion of a character’s journey, and the care and dedication a screenwriter has behind telling their story.
When you care about what you are writing, greatness will follow. Cody is living proof of that.
Read More: How to Avoid Writing On-The-Nose Dialogue
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The post 5 Trademarks of a Diablo Cody Script appeared first on ScreenCraft.
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Author: Alyssa Miller
