ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

3 years, 1 month ago - Yuki : the After Effect guy

Avoid those mistake in act 1 (Ver. 2)
1. Story does not have a conflict before the inciting incidents.
It is because if a character does not have a conflict (problem) in their normal life, they would not feel they have to change. As a good example, in the Dark Knight, Batman's normal life is to fight criminals, but he feels he has to retire because the city needs a better hero.
2. The story does not set up its genre.
Some movies has an event that so big that changes their genre. For example, million dollar baby started as a boxing success story, but it turned out that is about a human drama on Euthanasia. In order to make this dramatic change work, you need to set up its genre, or at least tease out what it might happen. For example, in Get Out's opening, a black man is kidnapped with a creepy song played, then we meet our protagonist with his girl friend to visit her house. Imagine if that opening does not exist, it would confuse the audience or make them leave before you could show them what you want to show.
3. Characters don't have clear goals.
What a character wants and how to get it is what we engage. And don't forget to make a reason why the character want that thing.
4. The story has no meaning.
Michael Arndt, a writer of little miss sunshine claims that story is a guide line of how to live life. So we need to have something to educate the audience. Think about what your favorite film taught you about life, this could be your inspiration.
5. Too much exposition.
You can set up a SF world script, but does not mean you have to dump all the information about the world. Would you like to hear what kind of world it is in Blade Runner's opening? No, it could wait and you can show how this world works as a character progress the story.
【LinK to the original video】
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h-tTnV_as&ab_channel=TylerMowery

Now my next step is to fill out the outline of my story. Don't be satisfied with just learning but getting your script written!

3 years ago - Yuki : the After Effect guy

What Act 2 should be like.
In story term, act 2 is where protagonist is making an effort to achieve a goal they set in act 1. However, as a writer, you cannot keep the protagonist doing the same amount of effort to get to the goal. What you need to do can be categorized into 3 factors.
1. Make the protagonist make a decision that cannot be undone. (Getting past the point of no return)
2. Increase the stake of achieving their goal, as they go further.
3. Characters' value or belief have to be challenged with those choices or their outcomes.

I will use a famous movie as an example to show, for you to write act 2 better.

＊If you find this helpful, feel free to comment or message me. I am looking for a friend to motivate each other to write a good screenplay.

【LinK to the original video】
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9caTcRO6BsY&list=PLWeCOIXQgiV7F41BgykccMCsS54uzWJvG&index=2&ab_channel=TylerMowery