Coincidences and Accidents

Coincidences and Accidents are functions of chance. Chance is one of those metaphysical series of events or core events that are often given a human characterization like fate and destiny. But accidents tend to represent a physical event wherein individuals physically meet by chance. Remember those incidents wherein you bump into a familiar face you have not seen for ages. Those incidents are accidents. Notice that the “chance” meeting is in the context of physically connecting with each other.

On the other hand, coincidences are incidents that tend to represent emotional events wherein individuals connect emotionally by chance. Let say, two people realize that they are both taking the same Samba class. This incident is a coincidence. The Samba class becomes a metaphor for a need that is common for the said individuals. This common ground becomes the emotional connection from which two individuals make a meaningful incident.

In any love plot, the dynamics of coincidences and accidents are relevant in terms of the “layering effect”. In any catalyst, given that it is a story driven material, accidents tend to be dominant. If this is the case, we can come up with several selections of accidents namely;

    These accidents are fertile grounds for the hero/heroine and the love interest to meet. Because these incidents are purely physical, the emotional dimension emanates from the characters and not from the events. In other words, the characters are the ones the supplies the emotional value of the physical accident.

    The opposite holds true for coincidences. Considering that these incidents are purely emotional, it is the characters that provide the needed physical value. Taking up the same Samba class is abstract for us unless we know what a Samba class is. Thus, it is the character that provides the concrete manifestation or the form for the said class.

    If we make a comparative analysis between taking up a Samba class and getting involved in a car accident, the former tend to be specific working within a limited scope in terms of the general population. Thus, one can say that in general, coincidences are specific and limited in scope. On the other hand, accidents tend to be general working within a wider scope in terms of the general population, I mean, compare the number of people who took up the same Samba class and the number of people got involve in car accidents and you will discover that the former is smaller compared to the latter.

    In any catalyst, given that it is a character driven material, accidents tend to be dominant. If this is the case, we can come up with several selections of accidents namely;

      The interesting quality in a love plot is its versatility. It is fluid in terms of the element that drives it. As mentioned before, a love plot is either story driven or character driven. It depends on the tone of the plot referring to its angle of attack.

      Common cases that are prevalent in the Philippines are story driven love plots. These are cases that are highly or extremely dominated by accidents. Too many accidents included in the whole material diminish its ability to capture the imagination of the audience. How many times must two lovers meet in a party or meet in a mall? When we talk about accidents, these are creatively crafted accidents that are familiar with a twist. Traffic accidents as portrayed in terrible love plots in the Philippines often starts with cars bumping to each other. Why not change the whole cliché by making the hero a hit and run victim of the love interest and perhaps in the process of the criminal case, they fall in love.

      There is nothing wrong with story driven love plots but one must be careful in injecting clichés in the mix or else you end up patronizing the audience and beefing up press releases for the sake of marketing requirements. What is needed is to innovate from familiar accidents or perhaps invent new ones. The creative-push in making accidents interest is vital in coming up with interesting love plots

      By:  MELCHOR DF. ESCARCHA