Endings in film

MacGuffin

A MacGuffin is something which drives the film and moves around the character, however it isn't important or what the audience usually care about. It is an element which drives the narrative. For example in Harry Potter and The Philosopher Stone, the MacGuffin is The Philosopher Stone.

A characters want and need 

In the film Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King, the main character Frodo wants to destroy the Ring by throwing it into Mordor, however his obsession with it is destroying him. The main character of Frodo needs to be strong within himself like Sam, so that he can beat his obsession with the Ring. Something which Sam could do.

The want which my character I created - Albert would be that he wants lots of money. Every con he does is a contest to him, and he must win that contest or he won't be happy. My character of Albert needs to let the money go and find inner peace with himself while staying happy with having a good relationship with his wife.

Michael Feit Dougan's Creative Compass

Below are four different possible endings to what could have happened in The Return of the King

Triumphant ending 

The Return of the King is already triumphant ending.

Transcendent ending

Frodo would be happy within himself and felt like he has beaten his obsession with the Ring, however he leaves Sam to continue the quest to destroy the Ring at Mordor.

Tragic ending 

Frodo does not destroy the Ring and it falls into the hands of Sauron. He also does not achieve strength within himself, ultimately ending in demise because of the Ring

Existential ending

The existential ending would be that Frodo successfully destroys the ring by throwing it into Mordor, however he is not strong or happy within himself like Sam and his obsession only worsens at the loss of the Ring.

Below are four different possible endings to what could have happened in the narrative for my film idea

Triumphant ending 

Albert successfully finds peace among himself, staying with his wife. Along with the millions of pounds which he has earn through cons.

Transcendent ending 

My film is already a transcendent ending - because he does not go away with much money, however he does finally become happy within himself as he has to learn to deal with what he did to his late wife.

Tragic ending

The tragic ending to my film would be that Albert walks away with no money and he is not happy with himself. Eventually dying as did his wife.

Existential ending 

Albert walks away from his murdered wife with millions of pounds from his successful cons, however he is upset and unhappy within himself because his cons have caused a misery to his life.