The Storytelling Lessons from CODA:
Screenwriting and Filmmaking Insights

Ruby, the only hearing member of her Deaf family, balances school and the family fishing business. When she signs up for the school choir to be near her crush, Miles, it sparks more than a passing interest: it ignites her love of singing. This meaningful inciting incident pushes Ruby into a conflict between personal passion and family duty, setting the foundation for the story’s emotional journey.

As Ruby’s passion for music grows, tensions build at home. Leo resents the family’s reliance on Ruby, and Miles accidentally betrays Ruby’s trust, creating emotional distance. Meanwhile, the family faces a business crisis when they risk losing their fishing license, and Ruby must juggle school, music, and family obligations. These layered conflicts steadily raise the stakes, pulling Ruby toward a breaking point where she must choose between helping her family or following her dreams.

The emotional turning point arrives when Ruby’s family attends her choir performance. While the audience is captivated, her family sits in silence, disconnected from the experience. The film invites viewers into their perspective, using sound design to create a powerful sense of absence. Later, Ruby lets her father feel the vibrations of her voice, bridging their worlds. This shift changes the family’s outlook and empowers Ruby to pursue her dreams.

The story’s climax unfolds at Ruby’s Berklee audition. Nervous but determined, Ruby sings as Mr. V accompanies her on piano. When her family arrives, Ruby begins signing her lyrics, allowing them to share in the moment. This emotional synthesis of her passion and family identity delivers a resonant, satisfying climax where personal growth and plot resolution converge.

Ruby is the emotional heart of CODA. Her decisions propel the narrative, and her growth shapes the film’s emotional core. She faces the universal struggle of balancing personal ambition with family responsibility, making her journey relatable and compelling. For storytellers, Ruby’s layered character shows the power of authentic, multidimensional protagonist.

At its core, CODA explores the tension between personal dreams and family loyalty. Ruby’s journey captures the universal struggle of belonging, communication, and independence. The film invites storytellers to reflect on how individual and collective needs can coexist and how stories can highlight the delicate balance between the two.