This article was originally posted on Medium. It is reprinted here by the author with permission. by Angela Bourassa (@angelabourassa1) I have to begin with a confession — I’m not a Marvel person. I don’t get super hyped about these movies. In all honesty, I haven’t even seen all of them (I skipped both Ant-Mans and Doctor... Continue Reading →
5 Lessons on How to Write a Message Movie from Jordan Peele’s US
Let’s take a look at five lessons that can be learned from Us regarding how to write an effective message screenplay. (Lots of spoilers ahead.)
FIVE FEET APART: A Conversation with Director Justin Baldoni
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Since launching his television career in 2004, Justin Baldoni has appeared in numerous shows and films but rose to fame playing Rafael Solano on Jane the Virgin in 2014. Since then, he’s begun to pursue directing and creating stories designed to make the world a better place. His new film, Five Feet Apart, tells... Continue Reading →
5 Wounded Healers to Use in Your Stories
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Psychologist Carl Jung popularized a term he assigned to fellow analysts with a desire to heal others because they themselves were wounded in some way. He called these individuals wounded healers. This archetype has appeared time and again throughout storytelling. The Greek myth of Chiron tells of a centaur who spent a... Continue Reading →
4 Powerful Orphans to Focus Your Story On
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Certain archetypal characters seem to appear again and again throughout storytelling history. Many early narratives told tales of youngsters without one or both parents. From Moses to Little Orphan Annie, orphans have served as heroines and heroes in countless stories, even when the plot does not specifically revolve around their abandonment. There’s... Continue Reading →
7 Elements of a Viable Story Idea
The following is an excerpt from Erik Bork's new book, The Idea: The Seven Elements of a Viable Idea for Screen, Stage or Fiction. by Erik Bork (@flyingwrestler) I have come to believe that 60 percent or more of what makes a film or TV project potentially successful (or not) is the core idea that could... Continue Reading →
Announcing LA Screenwriter’s First Online Course - ON CHARACTER
We are thrilled to announce our very first online course, On Character, presented by John Bucher and Jeremy Casper. Hopefully many of you already know John as your favorite story guru -- he shares insights on LA Screenwriter every Wednesday. What you may not know is that John also teaches writing and filmmaking with his... Continue Reading →
4 Steps to Creating a World for Your Story
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) There are a number of ways that a writer can begin crafting a story. Many begin with a character – the protagonist. Others begin with a concept. While there is not one “right” way to begin constructing a story, there are many ways to help jump-start the process. One method is to... Continue Reading →
The Ironic Payoff: 4 Ways to Use Irony in Your Story’s Ending
Minor spoilers ahead for Bridesmaids, Peppermint, Brokeback Mountain, and Sierra Burgess is a Loser. by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Last week, we looked at principles of story setups and payoffs. We examined how these elements can drive the narrative journey in your script and thus the emotional voyage of the audience. This week, we will concentrate on... Continue Reading →
3 Principles of Story Setups and Payoffs
Minor spoilers ahead for Cray Rich Asians, Coco, and Operation Finale. by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) One of the most vital yet least discussed aspects of effective storytelling is the ability to execute potent setups and payoffs. While it may seem like common sense, the demonstration of this skill is often the factor that separates amateur scripts... Continue Reading →