Thanks.
"Five great moments" is now my new favourite mantra.
And like all good mantras, it's easy to understand but a nightmare to live up to.
Just about to go over my latest and apply it.
I reckon I've got three.
So, just two to go.
Loved this series by the way - as a Brit it's good to see one of our own doing so well.
Plus I once shot a business-to- business video with Tom Hooper.
Who knew?

From the OP: "How about that script you're working on? Go through and count how many movie moments you have. Why do you think they are memorable? Can you do something to make them more entertaining, more compelling, more cinematic?"

I call this the "trailer pass" because it's where you lay in the kinds of moments and dialogue an editor could pull for the trailer. I'm looking forward to doing this on the script I'm working on now. It's still too early yet, as I'm tackling structural issues in this rewrite and de-bugging character, but the script is shaping up so nicely it clearly has a trailer pass in its future.

These posts are great. Cuts right to the heart of the craft's most important elements. Also forces you to re-examine your own writing in comparison to truly great writing. Thank you.

I was going to suggest that you do this more often for other movies. So, yes, please do continue this series. This, Screenwriting 101 and the Business of Screenwriting are my favorites.

Thank you, Scott.

Hey Scott,

Do keep 'em coming - Screenwriting Lessons.

Tremendous insights and fuel for doing solid work.

Thanks a ton.

Please sir, I want some more.

(apologies to Oliver)

Very informative lessons.
Keep posting more of them.
Thanks.

I like the moments concept. Doesn’t buzz about movies go like this? “Remember where Indiana Jones shoots the Tuareg instead of using his whip?” “Yeah, and the end, where you see the Ark disappearing into this humongous warehouse on a forklift?” Viewers typically don't talk about symbolism or theme or motif. It's moments that are the heartbeat of the movie, the places where it connects most intensely with our emotions. (I recall the quote as being attributed elsewhere to Loretta Young, not Thalberg, but I could be wrong.)