I’ve noticed recently when covering scripts that a lot of screenwriters are missing mentors for their heroes.

Though not necessarily essential, a mentor can be a valuable asset to a screenplay and can provide a way to handle some otherwise boring exposition.

A mentor is another tool in the toolbox of a screenwriter. He explains things to the hero that would be difficult to get across otherwise and he gives the writer another opportunity to add depth and drama to the story. Quite often it’s the mentor who gives the hero the final push after the hero initially hesitates to go on his adventure.

So how do you inject a mentor into the script? Mr. Miyagi and Obi-Wan Kenobi rescued the heroes of their stories, and that gave them instant credibility, not only with their stories’ respective heroes, but also with the audience.  Glinda, the Good Witch gave Dorothy the Ruby Slippers to protect her from the Wicked Witch of the West.  Other mentors, like Howard in “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” or Yoda teach and demonstrate their knowledge over the course of the entire film.

Those are some of the better examples, and that’s why those mentors are so memorable.  If you can have your mentor rescue your hero in some way, or give the hero some tool or weapon or critical information that will help her along her journey, you’re well on your way to creating an effective mentor in your script.

Does your hero have a mentor in the script you’re currently writing?

If not, would it strengthen your story to give him one? My service can help you answer those questions.  Along with other issues you may be working on, my professional script reading service can let you know what’s working and what isn’t working in your script, including your mentor or lack thereof.