On Screenwriting…
On this page you will find notes, ideas and references on the art of screenwriting. It is an ongoing process so be sure to refer back here on a regular basis.
References:
- The Screenwriter’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script by David Trottier. This is a writers essential tool!
- Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias
Invaluable information on how to make your story jump off the page. Make sure you tell Karl I sent you.
- Anything by Michael Hauge. He has excellent ideas on how to structure your story. Make sure to tell Michael I sent you.
- Story by Robert McKee.
Excellent, although a little heady, guide on how to write a story.
My Story Notes:
- Struggle: It is essential when writing a story bthat struggle is prevalent. Not only that but the struggle must intensify as the sstory moves forward to the climax and that this struggle is what causes change for your main character. This is how you develope the arc to the character.
- The Audience:
- Remember that the audiences imagination is much bigger that the filmmakers. Why? Because the audience brings more energy. The bigger the audience, the bigger the energy and the greater the collective imagination.
- Allow the characters to think on screen by allowing them times when they don’t use works/dialogue.
- Story:
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- A good story is worth doing bad.
- Let the visual tell the story.
- When you are re-writing, make sure you can answer the following question of every scene: “What is the purpose of the scene?”
- Impact of a movie:
- How does a movie affect an audience? According to Robert McKee, a movie is a Meaningful Emotional Experience (MEE). I completely agree. The emotion you portray in the screne has to be real and believable from the circumstances that came to be. The emotion is the energy vibration that people feel in the theatre and if you take them on an emotional journey – if you set it up right – then the payoff is the meaning – the lesson.
Screenwriting
- Every single work and movement must be calculated – but also trust the universe with the inspirations that you get.
- Screenwriting is not visual. It’s about what a character says and does.