Yesterday I posted a link to Robert Legato giving a Ted Talk on how he has created the visual effects on specific shots for Apollo 13, Titanic and Hugo. In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the link again: http://www.ted.com/talks/rob_legato_the_art_of_creating_awe.html It was an interesting talk, but at first I didn’t think it applied very much …
Category: Structure
Robert Legato Ted Talk on Creating Awe
I’m back from vacation, and discovered this Ted Talk. I’ll discuss my feelings on it tomorrow, but for now, take a look. http://www.ted.com/talks/rob_legato_the_art_of_creating_awe.html
The Structure Shall Set You Free
I write a lot about structure in this space and there is a reason for that. The reason is that people keep sending me scripts to read that totally lack structure or that have structure that is weak and can’t carry the story. I also feel that it’s important to discuss at this time again …
Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling
From a friend. Definitely worth the read. http://aerogrammestudio.com/2013/03/07/pixars-22-rules-of-storytelling/
Structure. Structure! STRUCTURE!
I recently read a script for a client that had a powerful premise, an emotional plot line and well designed characters. Not only was the story emotional, but the context through which it was told was thought provoking without being preachy or on the nose. Yet ultimately, the script wasn’t a success, as the story …
Push It. Push It Real Good.
If there is an unwritten rule about screenwriting that every writer needs to follow, it’s this: Push it. Push what? you ask. Push everything, I say. This is especially true if you’re an aspiring writer trying to sell your first spec. This is true if you’re an established writer working on your 50th job. Everything needs …
The Hook Keeps Them Reading
The first three to five pages are the most important pages of your script. That may sound like something of a bold statement, considering that most screenplays approach 120 pages and considering all of the things that a writer needs to accomplish in those pages. A statement like that might lead you to wonder why …
Just a Little Pinch: Screenwriting’s Dirty Little Secret
In his book, The Screenwriter’s Bible, David Trottier describes a moment that happens in the middle of Act II as a Pinch. The hero becomes more fully engaged in the adventure at that point either through finding out a new piece of information, a particular event, or some other important moment that has to re-galvanize the …
The Art of the Outline: Using the Hero’s Journey as a Starting Point
I used to feel that drafting an outline was one of the most difficult challenges in writing a screenplay. The problem is that you cannot skip that step. Without a good, solid outline, there’s no way that the completed screenplay will be coherent, sharp or solid. The outline is part of the foundation of a …
Subtext, or Not Saying What You’re Saying.
Including subext in your characters’ dialogue might simultaneously be the most difficult and most important thing to do in a screenplay. That might sound like an overstatement, because obviously having solid structure, good character depth and a well-written dramatic arc are all important. All of those elements and more are required to draft a quality …