- 1). Decide on the type of ending your film will have. Most stories fall into the categories defined by the classical Greek genres of "comedy" and "tragedy." A Greek comedy is a story that usually ends in a marriage or other celebration, while a Greek tragedy traditionally ends in a funeral---often, of the main character. "Comic" stories, in the Greek model, bring characters together, while tragic ones separate them.
- 2). Determine how you want the moviegoers to feel when they leave will leave---uplifted or downbeat. Some stories are written with a sequel in mind. Those films usually end with a teaser about part II.
- 3). Shape your ending on previous events in the movie. If your protagonist and antagonist are friends at the end of a film after fighting throughout it, the ending must present a logical reason for that alliance. Writer Sherri Sheridan outlines 40 plot lines film makers can follow as a guide (http://www.myflik.com/Articles/40PlotPoints.html) to help them reach a logical ending.
- 4). Write a rough draft of the ending in summary form. Make bullet points, or write a set of paragraphs to put the ending in short-story form. Avoid a cliche ending, one that is common to several movies---such as the underdog emerging victorious. Tie up plot-line loose ends: if even a minor character was on a quest, make sure that quest has a conclusion.
- 5). Show a rough draft of the ending to some friends for editing. Ideally, find a friend who has experience with story-writing, although anyone who has an opinion about what makes films good will help. Ask friends first for feedback and an initial reaction, and then ask them to look for certain things: cliches, loose ends, and "deus ex machina." A deus ex machina is a situation in which a character is in an inescapable situation, and you introduce an unexpected or improbable character, device, or event to resolve that situation.
- 6). Begin drafting the dialog and stage directions for the ending.
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