How can you avoid cliches and tropes in your screenplay?

I think about the tropes I have seen repeatedly in whatever genre I'm writing, and then I purposely, sometimes hilariously, do the exact opposite of what's expected. It only takes a little imagination and a warped sense of humor that can turn a trope into a classic moment.

Prioritize originality by exploring diverse perspectives. Break away from conventional character traits and story arcs and instead research and interview people to gain perspective and insight to the uniqueness of their experiences, backgrounds, and cultures to infuse authenticity. Foster creativity by collaborating with a diverse team, encouraging fresh viewpoints. Continuously question assumptions and strive for innovative storytelling, ensuring your screenplay reflects a rich tapestry of human experiences.

Many fiction writers begin by emulating the style of their favorite author. I remember the best compliment I received from one of my English teachers after she read one of my short stories, she said, "You know, you don't have to be Ray Bradbury." It was actually a criticism of my habit of overwriting. But the fact that she compared what I did to my favorite author encouraged me greatly. From that point, I kept her words in mind and learned through authors like Robin Cook and Michael Crichton how to write economically and concisely in a way that gets readers reading down the page instead of across it.

When it came time to create my titular character Doboro the Bottlenecker, it was at a time (and remains so) that the trend seemed to be creating protagonists who were deeply flawed antiheroes. To buck this trend, and perhaps because I share a lot of characteristics with Doboro, he emerged as a hero, someone who intends to do what is right, however imperfectly he seeks to do that or how difficult it proves. This is an attribute that, I believe, has caused my readers to follow Doboro on his journey. He's different from what is prevalent in fiction today.

Some may find this crazy, but when I write a novel, it's almost as if I have two brains working: the one writing and another "watching" the story unfold like a movie. As a result of this, Brain #2 doesn't know what's about to happen at any given moment. So, when something surprising does occur, it is not uncommon for me to almost jump up from my computer and shout something like, "Oh, holy crap! I didn't know he was gonna do that!" Or to burst out laughing at something funny that Brain #1 had just written. I don't know if mentioning this actually contributes to this subject. But...maybe there are others who can relate.

I used to read my work to my wife before releasing it. Of course, she loved everything I wrote and thought everything was perfect, confirming what I already knew. NOT. On the contrary, her honestly was downright infuriating. "I don't get it." "That doesn't make sense." "Why would it do that?" "That doesn't seem likely." AAAAUUUURRGHHHH! Of course, in SOME cases...she was absolutely right. It's just that I, being too close to my work, was hardly objective about it. I have since developed, I'm pleased to say, a thick skin, and trust in the perspective of others, including my wife, who can honestly tell me where my work falls short or "misses it." Every author needs that or they fall victim to their godlike arrogance.