An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas (Part 1): They are selling you a lie - Film Crush Collective at 2014-09-15 16:54:08:
[…] There is a burgeoning cottage industry of ‘screenwriting gurus’ selling what some call The Hope Machine. The Hollywood mansion. Tesla Roadster. Movie premieres. Write a …read more […]
cynatnite2009 at 2014-09-15 18:17:48:
I have a stack of books and each one just as confusing because there are so many different approaches. I just wound up storing them in the basement. When I started writing I decided to go with my gut. I spent time working on characterization and plot, making these characters into people that I care a lot about. It's really helped tell what I think is a very good story. I'm into my second rewrite which has been pretty rewarding because they are more fleshed out, more lifelike, in my eyes. The only problem I have is theme and I'm told that is important. I have just focused only on the characters and the story, so I'm not quite sure what to do about that.
Scott at 2014-09-15 19:09:00:
cynatnite2009, I can't tell you how many writers I've intersected with who say pretty much the same thing as you: They've got a bunch of screenwriting books, got confused, then basically shelved them all. Yes, in general, a good idea to go with your gut. It's said by the time we get out of college, we've seen, read or heard 10,000 stories. Some of that has to rub off on us on an intuitive level. Re theme, my thought on that is this: Theme = Meaning. Not so much the premise of the story or the moral of the story, but rather the emotional meaning. Look at your Protagonist. What is the nature of his/her psychological journey? What do they learn? How do they change? How does that aspect of their journey connect with the physical journey (Plot)? If you can zero in on that, I'll bet you'll find the story's central theme. Then you can look at all the subplots for sub-themes that support the central one.
cynatnite2009 at 2014-09-15 19:31:51:
My protagonist is a former nurse who finds herself growing older, feeling useless. It's not until the last act when she realizes that what's she's doing is important and she sees the positive impact she's unknowingly made. Being needed is such an integral part of human nature. Thanks so much. That's made a world of difference!
Markham Cook at 2014-09-15 19:45:10:
The larger problem arises when producers and development execs buy into the idea of a pre-existing story paradigm. Couple that with a deep dependence on making sequels and re-makes and the result is, well, last summer. There are many, many smart and brave producers and development execs out there. The best ones, like the best writers, do as you say: they follow their gut.
Scott at 2014-09-15 20:38:00:
Markham, you read my mind as that is a subject I will be digging into in the 3rd and mostly 4th installment in this series. The growing presence of these 'screenplay formulas' in Hollywood development circles impacts writers who have to respond to notes based on them, resulting in shooting scripts that are often formulaic, leading to movies consumers don't want to see, and in general a diminishing of the screenwriting craft and this narrative form - movies - we love so much.
An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas (5 part series) - Film Crush Collective at 2014-09-22 16:45:26:
[…] An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas (Part 1): They are selling you a lie […]
An Argument Against Formulas (Or Why Scott Myers is My New Hero) | ARCBLOG at 2014-10-30 06:05:57:
[…] I am here to tell you this: They are selling you a lie.” (Read the full article) […]