Clichés, Tropes & Stereotypes (Part 1)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Detective chases a suspect to a dark alley. Suspect has to be hiding in that alley so detective steps softly in, gun out, senses at maximum, step by agonizing step then – stumbles back and nearly shoots as something jumps at him. Cat, not the suspect. Start […]
Do Characters Have To Be Likable (Part 2)
Compared To What? The master (Shakespeare) knew how to write characters that we didn’t love, but we did like them compared to others. Here’s a passage from “Othello” that tells you everything you need to know about how Shakespeare softens Iago. Brabantio: Thou art a villain. Iago: You are – a senator! As bad […]
Do Characters Have To Be Likable? (Part 1)
Not to spoil it for you, but the opening of The Shield is one of the most stunning in TV series history. The Vic Mackey character, leader of the ‘Strike Team’ that went after gangs and drug dealers does something unbelievable. Mackey and his team raid a drug dealer’s house with a new member in tow. […]
Film and TV Titles and Their Importance
What’s the first impression of your script?The title, of course. That’s the handshake that comes even before Fade In. It’s in every way some of the most important creative writing you’ll do. History Of Movie Titles Since the beginning days of cinema, titling a film has changed dramatically. Titles in the days of […]
Scene Sequences Enhance Screenplay Structure Not Inhibit It
People who disdain structure in scripts point to the dreaded “Hollywood Formula” as being the death of creativity. My take is different. With good structure you can explore creativity. It’s like saying, I’ll just build my house without any of the supporting structures I’ll need to keep it standing because it’s the outside that matters. […]
