by Tim Long (@ScreenplayStory) If you analyze screenplays and films you are bound to find commonalities that exist among the ones that are successful and the ones that aren’t. A consistent commonality I see time and time again is that of character. In particular, there are three ubiquitous yet distinguishing features that all compelling characters... Continue Reading →
7 Ways to Make Us Care About Your Characters
by Douglas Eboch (@dougeboch) I considered titling this article “7 Ways to Make Us Care About Your Story,” because it’s really the same thing. The only reason we’ll care about your story is if we care about your characters. We stay engaged in the plot of a movie because we want to find out what... Continue Reading →
Irish Writer Mark O’Halloran On Finding the Voice of Cuban Drag Stars in VIVA
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Mark O’Halloran is the rare artist that has made his impact both in front of the camera and as a scriptwriter. Working closely with director Lenny Abrahamson (Room), he scripted Adam & Paul, Garage, and the mini-series Prosperity before crafting his latest story, far from his native Ireland. His upcoming film, Viva... Continue Reading →
Get a Job! 6 Ways to Develop Plot Through Your Character’s Job
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) In the United States, people often feel defined by what they do for a living. In the world of story, a character’s occupation can have similar importance. If your character is of working age, audiences expect to learn how they make their living. This may or may not be a significant element... Continue Reading →
Building a Launchpad: 3 Foundations for a Character’s Internal Journey
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) One of the most difficult puzzles a writer must solve involves the relationship between the inner needs and external goal of the protagonist. Some writers pitch stories solely about a character that learns or comes to realize something, not recognizing this is impossible to photograph on film since it occurs inside someone’s... Continue Reading →
How to Write a Better Female Protagonist
Danny Manus of No Bull Script Consulting recently wrote a great article for Script Magazine about the lack of strong, well-rounded, likeable female characters on the silver screen these days. I highly recommend reading the full article, but here are a few of the highlights: Recently, at the Final Draft Screenwriting Awards, the infamous Nancy Meyers labeled... Continue Reading →
Climaxing the Right Way (In Your Script)
This article by Candace Kearns Read lays out some important guidelines to follow while crafting the third act of your script, and particularly the climax: The climax is the action the protagonist chooses to take after facing the moment of crisis, where he or she is pushed to the edge with no way out. This... Continue Reading →