What happens when the main story ends,
but there's just a little more story to tell?
Enter the epilogue.
"- All right, Tim, let's get out here."
- Today, we are going to lay out the rules and expectations,
how they work,
and how to use them creatively.
"- In the end, he was even rich."
- This is "What is an Epilogue?"
In the past, we've covered literary devices
like foreshadowing and red herrings.
Subscribe and click the bell to find out what we do next.
"- My God."
- We will be spoiling the following movies.
Now let's skip to the end.
An epilogue is a final piece of information
separate from the main story
meant to bring closure, add irony,
or relay what happens to the characters in the future.
"- Welcome to heaven, motherf*ckers."
- The word 'epilogue' comes from the Greek 'epi' in addition.
And 'logos' - speech translated literally as 'additional speech'.
And while the term wasn't used until the mid-16th century,
the concept goes back even further.
In Greek theater, the chorus would deliver final thoughts on the plays meaning.
In medieval times, a character would address the crowd directly
with additional commentary.
In literature and film, epilogues can be final chapters,
scenes, or text.
"- No!"
- But there is some debate about whether epilogues unnecessary at all.
"- Sometimes it leads to very little and it seems like it's not worth it."
- Some see it as a crutch and a way to wrap things up
inorganically at the last minute.
For example, the infamous happy ending of "Blade Runner".
Deckard's final narration was tacked on in post-production by producers
in an attempt to clarify the plot
and end on a more optimistic note.
"- Tyrell had told me Rachel was special.
No termination date.
I didn't know how long we'd have together.
Who does?"
- This awkward insertion was later removed by director Ridley Scott
leaving what most people agree is a superior, more ambiguous ending.
"- It's too bad she won't live.
But then again, who does?"
- To paraphrase Shakespeare, 'Just like a good wine doesn't need to be advertised
A good play doesn't need an epilogue.
Both will succeed on their own merits.'
- In other words, an epilogue can make your story better,
but don't rely on it to make your story good.
"- Intriguing."
- Let's continue with the various types of epilogues and the functions they serve.
Because film is a visual medium, epilogues can be presented in a number of ways.
One of the most common is with onscreen text.
This device is most common in biopics and documentaries.
But we can also see it in fictional films.
True stories in all forms will often conclude with parting text
as an update on future events.
Zodiac reminds us that the killer was never caught.
The big short shares statistics about the market crash.
Kathryn Bigelow's "Detroit" dramatizes true events.
And in the end, we see a series of stills of the actual people,
where they ended up,
and later developments in the case.
Text epilogues like this accomplish two things.
They provide a shorthand answer to what happens next.
And they remind the audience one last time that this was a true story
adding authenticity and dramatic impact.
Epilogues can also be delivered through voiceover.
In "Apollo 13", the crew survives a disastrous mission to the Moon.
"- Houston, we have a problem."
Over a montage of the celebrations
Jim Lovell explains what happened in the aftermath.
"- Our mission was called a successful failure in that we returned safely,
but never made it to the Moon."
- What caused the problem?
"- It was determined that a damaged coil built inside the oxygen tank
sparked during our cryo stir and caused the explosion that crippled the Odyssey."
- And what came of the ensemble years afterwards.
"- Fred Haise was going back fo the moon on Apollo 18...
but his mission was cancelled due to budget cuts.
He never flew in space again."
- A montage without voiceover can also give the
audience a glimpse at the future of these characters.
This is something Pixar does all the time.
In "Toy Story 3", we see how Sunnyside has become a much more hospitable place.
"- New toys."
- And how Bonnie's old and new toys are successfully bonding.
"- Yes, we did it. - High five.
Hold on."
- In "Wall-E" we get a montage about how life on earth returns to its former glory.
This more unobtrusive type of epilogue avoids the traps of overextending its ending
while still providing a layer of optimistic closure.
Another type of epilogue is one final scene,
which can be placed before the credits.
"- You've gotta come back with me."
- During the credits.
"- I found him."
- Or after the credits.
"- I'm here to talk to you about The Avengers initiative."
- These scene epilogues can function in a few different ways.
"- You're still here."
- The first is to bring further closure.
"- It's over."
- "Harry Potter" concludes with a scene 19 years later.
Bringing Harry's journey full circle.
While sending the next generation off on their own adventure.
Instead of closure, an epilogue scene can also reopen the story.
Like when they set up a sequel.
"- I'll look into it."
- "Hellboy" actually has three of these.
Six months later
they tease the return of a popular character.
"- Icthyo Sapien.
Anyone know what that means?"
A mid-credit scene that foreshadows future conflicts.
"- Holy crap. - Listen.
- Yeah. - Evil is coming.
- Okay. - You want to battle.
And you gotta go kick ass in a war."
- And an end credits vow for revenge.
"- He mocks me!
And I've had enough!
Go!
Kill Hellboy and bring me his eye!"
- Let's now look at some creative exceptions
that expand our understanding of what an epilogue can be and what they can do.
The epilogue for "Schindler's List" is handled in a unique and respectful manner.
We are first given text as to the fate of Amon Goeth and Schindler himself.
Then we break through the dramatization and pay respect to the actual survivors.
The actors accompany the person they portray
as they lay rocks on Schindler's grave.
Arguably, this is an extremely effective way
to bring the reality and gravity of this story to the audience.
In "Vice", Adam McKay's satirical portrait of Dick Cheney
we suddenly get an epilogue only 45 minutes into the movie.
On-screen text informs us of a very positive future for Cheney and his family,
which being a satire is completely fabricated.
The rest of the film shows us what really happened.
Cheney's rise to the vice presidency
and how he wields power and influence.
"- That's not something a vice president really does, is it?
- Well, it is now."
- In the end, we get the real epilogue.
And in between facts and statistics,
Cheney breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience.
Just like the epilogues of old.
"- I can feel your incrimination and your judgment, and I am fine with that."
- George Lucas's "American Graffiti" is often cited
as the template for the, 'Where are they now?' epilogue.
The film follows four friends on their last night together,
unsure of how to proceed into the next phase of their lives.
"- I ain't going off some goddamn fancy college.
I'm staying right here.
Having fun as usual."
- But rather than let the audience imagine their futures
we are given a somber and tragic conclusion.
"- Hey, doc, where you going now?
Back to the future?
- Nope. Already been there."
- Remember, not every story needs an epilogue.
And if you can tell your entire story without one, do it.
Otherwise, be thoughtful about how you can incorporate it naturally.
It's over.
Check the description for links to our video on Denouement.
And the StudioBinder blog for more resources and examples of how to end a story.
And when you're ready to write the next great epilogue
StudioBinder screenwriting software is the perfect tool.
Start writing today.
And maybe you'll come up with something better than this.
See you in the next one.