Less Vs. More
30/Nov/09 21:47 Filed in: The Method
Most movies subscribe to the belief that audiences want to see more. More explosions, more action, more car crashes, more special effects, and more computer-generated images. That’s not true. What audiences really want to see is more suspense. Read More...
Loglines and Thoughtlines Loglines and Thoughtlines
26/Nov/09 14:35 Filed in: The Method
You can condense every movie into a logline, which summarizes what the story is about. However, you might also want to capture a thoughtline to summarize what lesson the movie explores about life. Read More...
Everything is Illuminated
23/Nov/09 09:28 Filed in: The Method
Just saw an amazing movie called “Everything is Illuminated.” It’s not one of those big Hollywood blockbusters and it’s likely you never heard of it, but it’s based on a popular book and turned into a bizarre, but entertaining movie. If you’re tired of watching special effects or A-list actors performing in D-list movies, you need to check this film out. Read More...
The Myth of the Original Story
22/Nov/09 15:46 Filed in: The Method
There is no such thing as an original story, but there is such a thing as telling a story originally. Learn the difference and you won’t waste your time trying to achieve the impossible. Read More...
Touching a Raw Nerve
16/Nov/09 22:32 Filed in: The Method
What makes one movie a classic and another movie a forgettable film that pretty much goes straight to DVD? I think the answer lies in making a story that touches an emotional nerve in all of us. Read More...
The Ending is All Action
14/Nov/09 11:38 Filed in: The Method
In Act III, everything is action. If you watch Act III of any movie, you'll see a lot of movement, action, and excitement, but none of it will mean anything unless you know about the rest of the story as well. Read More...
Below the Tip of the Iceberg
11/Nov/09 21:29 Filed in: The Method
The tip of an iceberg is the smallest part of the iceberg. What you don't see is the massive chunk of ice that makes up the bulk of an iceberg, but which remains hidden underwater. That's a perfect metaphor for movies. What you see is just part of the story. What you don't see is what really makes the movie worth watching. Read More...
Inciting Incidents
08/Nov/09 19:23 Filed in: The Method
The opening scene of every story immediately lets audience's know what type of story it is and who the villain is. Oh, and it must also grab the audience's attention and make them want to watch the rest of your story too. Read More...
Go Deep
06/Nov/09 21:32 Filed in: The Method
Here's a formula for making a lousy meal. Grab as much as you can and throw it in the pot, then hope something good will come out of it. Not surprisingly, this is the same formula that Hollywood uses to make a movie. Guess hat? It never works. Read More...
Beginnings are Really Endings in Reverse Beginnings are Really Endings in Reverse Beginnings are Endings in Reverse
02/Nov/09 21:00 Filed in: The Method
To determine if your idea for a story can make a satisfactory screenplay, start with the beginning and compare it to the end. By knowing what to look for, you can spare yourself waste time writing a screenplay that's doomed from the start. Read More...
