I've been a professional screenwriter for 30 years and hope to for another 15 and you are friggin gem! Love your advise. Love you engaging but breezy professorial style and your great positive energy. Thx. Love all your mini lectures! You're a 10! 👍🏻✍🏻
I'm only at the 9:00 mark, but I do have to say that movies/novels where a lot of the conflict is the would-be couple arguing and ticking each other off is the opposite extreme of your example that is highly grating. I have *often* wondered if the success of Dirty Dancing and Twilight was due in part to the conflict *not* being arguments and disagreements. The couples were made of very different characters (rich Daddy's girl and a guy dragged up on the streets of Brooklyn), yet they admired each other. The contrived misunderstanding ... YES, I'm so glad you talked about this! It's nails on chalkboard. Great video!!!
I'm so dumb -- obviously _Twilight_ and _Dirty Dancing_ are not romantic comedies. _Never Been Kissed, The Wedding Singer_ and _27 Dresses_ were great at avoiding the "arguing is the only conflict I know" pitfall, but I can barely watch movies like _What Happens in Vegas_ for all the yelling and nastiness.
I agree. Characters annoying each other is definitely annoying. And not necessarily actual conflict. Conflict is someone has a goal and someone else stands in their way:) Love having you here -- we need more girls!!
I've had this funny idea where two people live inside storage units, one of them for very depressing reasons, the other one just cuz he enjoys that. They do that for several months, in secret and in solitude as its not allowed to live in a storage unit. They never notice each other until one day they both decide to leave their unit at the same time. Your video helped me IMMENSELY to shape their characters, the stakes and scenes better since its rly only my second attempt at writing something bigger. Thanks a lot =) And obviously I subbed to u, ur a gem
Although I don't typically watch romcoms I found how you describe the various ways these kind of newbie scripts fail really interesting and quite enlightening. Specifically the core ideas about conflict and grabbing and holding an audience's interest. It would be really interesting if you took two produced movie scripts from the same genre (either romcom or any genre really) - one from a movie that got it right in terms of what you point out in this video an was successful vs a script that misses on one or more of these points that resulted in an unsuccessful movie - and contrasted them. Just an idea. I hope you keep making these "how to" videos. You're way of showing, demonstrating and explaining makes it very easy to follow and understand. Keep up the great posts!
I'm sure the conflict part you were talking about where the women misunderstands the text message and runs off thinking he had another woman was actually in a film. I love the way you can pick out the good and bads of screen plots. I have not long started a romantic comedy myself and have taken your views on board. Thank you.
Though my screenplay is not a romantic comedy, I LOVE romantic comedies. Everything you said made perfect sense. If I ever write another screenplay, it will likely be a romantic comedy as it could be a whole lotta fun. =)
Hi there Word Dancer. I had a rom-com story idea that I had roughly sketched out back a few months ago, called "Mother May I". It was a half page long and far from being fleshed out to satisfaction (boring and creepy, lol). Since it was my first attempt ever (I write various genres, but this was the only rom-com concept), I let it sit and started writing other scripts already in progress. In watching your video, it didn't give me the idea, but inspired me to think, "How can I make this concept really interesting, not creepy, and go beyond the cliche? So, I took the original storyline, spruced it up and came up with something I hope is original and high concept, has lots of conflict, high stakes, and arcs for all involved. The story ends up with a happy ending, although the original star-crossed "kissers", never get together (long story, lol). I don't want to give anything away as I just wrote it out after watching your video. It's a 3 page beatsheet-synopsis that can be hammered out to feature-length when I have time. (I have so many other scripts i progress already). Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the "inspiration" behind-the-inspiration, if you catch my drift? Also, I've watched all your other videos and you rock. Thanks for all you do! p.s. Have you done YA fantasy? I have a CoA Fantasy called "Invisible" that is ready to write. (started this in the "March Zero-thirty challenge", but fell off halfway through the month. It's hosted by GITS's Scott Myers). "A lonely, little girl, a valley, a not-too-scary monster, a mystery, and a whole bunch of suspenseful fun."
Very good, I Learned from you many things and get many information about the script writing and screen writing with details study about the subject,character, themes and plots also script for romantic comedy series various types of books and how to find out from the internet and websites that I am happy to know that The subject matter you can teach very well and very interesting with easy access thank you so much for your cooperative effort with me.
Hey Word Dancer, I love your videos! :) Could you share which movies you think don't follow the "rules"? You say so many rom coms you see don't have the high stakes, or the plot is just about them and it's not interesting. Could you show an example? I'd say the Midnight trilogy is a good example of a romcom revolving around just the two of them (the 1st one at least, if I remember correctly). What would be a bad example?
Hi! I really appreciate this video! There's any tip or screenplay to recommend about a romcom that involves someone trying to putting the main characters apart? like the best friend of the girl which is secretly in love with her or something like that... and a for a romcom about characters which already dated years before?
The issues you describe with Romantic Comedies can be seen in all their glory in every movie shown on Hallmark or CAG. Trite dialogue, lame stories, and predictable plots. It's like watching a bad sitcom that lasts 90 minutes. Yet the TV is always on one of those channels if my wife has the remote. She feels the same way when I watch sports. The conflict between men and women and the programs they watch could be the next Hallmark movie. At least it will have conflict!
Zombies/undead and vampires seem more perennial. Rom-coms are fairly new whereas the latter two have been around for centuries (romance, however, has been around forever).
9:33 .. that is absolutely wrong. That's why I turn off movies. Maybe you don't know this but if people really like each other they see past the small things and don't have petty fights. If it's missing action that's when you zoom out the movie and have them work towards a goal together. Avoid petty patronising or petty fighting.
Funny. When I’m finished, you’ll beg me to teach you what I did (I won’t) bc I’ll be busy with my next... I’ve thrown mine past people they don’t know what the hell im smoking Sleepless and Harry met Both really suck. Witten on s mediocre level on a mediocre genre. I’m almost ashamed I lowered my self... I know, who am I?
Any other genre-specific videos you guys would like?
Do you think you can make a video on how to write parodies? I have written three of them. I would like to know your take on the genre.
I will put it on the list:)
Word Dancer - How to write a screenplay black comdey or satire or westerns
I'll put those on the list:)
Tragic comedy like Little Miss Sunshine
I've been a professional screenwriter for 30 years and hope to for another 15 and you are friggin gem! Love your advise. Love you engaging but breezy professorial style and your great positive energy. Thx. Love all your mini lectures! You're a 10! 👍🏻✍🏻
Wow! You made my day! Thanks so much, Reed:)
As I work on my current Script, a Romantic Comedy, you gave me a lot of insightful "food for thought". Thank you so much.
I'm only at the 9:00 mark, but I do have to say that movies/novels where a lot of the conflict is the would-be couple arguing and ticking each other off is the opposite extreme of your example that is highly grating. I have *often* wondered if the success of Dirty Dancing and Twilight was due in part to the conflict *not* being arguments and disagreements. The couples were made of very different characters (rich Daddy's girl and a guy dragged up on the streets of Brooklyn), yet they admired each other.
The contrived misunderstanding ... YES, I'm so glad you talked about this! It's nails on chalkboard. Great video!!!
I'm so dumb -- obviously _Twilight_ and _Dirty Dancing_ are not romantic comedies. _Never Been Kissed, The Wedding Singer_ and _27 Dresses_ were great at avoiding the "arguing is the only conflict I know" pitfall, but I can barely watch movies like _What Happens in Vegas_ for all the yelling and nastiness.
I agree. Characters annoying each other is definitely annoying. And not necessarily actual conflict. Conflict is someone has a goal and someone else stands in their way:)
Love having you here -- we need more girls!!
I've had this funny idea where two people live inside storage units, one of them for very depressing reasons, the other one just cuz he enjoys that. They do that for several months, in secret and in solitude as its not allowed to live in a storage unit. They never notice each other until one day they both decide to leave their unit at the same time. Your video helped me IMMENSELY to shape their characters, the stakes and scenes better since its rly only my second attempt at writing something bigger. Thanks a lot =)
And obviously I subbed to u, ur a gem
Although I don't typically watch romcoms I found how you describe the various ways these kind of newbie scripts fail really interesting and quite enlightening. Specifically the core ideas about conflict and grabbing and holding an audience's interest. It would be really interesting if you took two produced movie scripts from the same genre (either romcom or any genre really) - one from a movie that got it right in terms of what you point out in this video an was successful vs a script that misses on one or more of these points that resulted in an unsuccessful movie - and contrasted them. Just an idea. I hope you keep making these "how to" videos. You're way of showing, demonstrating and explaining makes it very easy to follow and understand. Keep up the great posts!
I'm sure the conflict part you were talking about where the women misunderstands the text message and runs off thinking he had another woman was actually in a film. I love the way you can pick out the good and bads of screen plots. I have not long started a romantic comedy myself and have taken your views on board. Thank you.
Gold. Pure Gold. Thank you
Thanks, Jonathan!
That's so funny because I was just going to say what about "Sleepless in Seattle" or "When Harry Met Sally"? LOL.
brilliant as always...It Happened One Night set the standard, and the reward is wonderful. Both characters change for the better and for each other
Thanks, Viking!
Though my screenplay is not a romantic comedy, I LOVE romantic comedies. Everything you said made perfect sense. If I ever write another screenplay, it will likely be a romantic comedy as it could be a whole lotta fun. =)
Cool!
Hi there Word Dancer.
I had a rom-com story idea that I had roughly sketched out back a few months ago, called "Mother May I". It was a half page long and far from being fleshed out to satisfaction (boring and creepy, lol). Since it was my first attempt ever (I write various genres, but this was the only rom-com concept), I let it sit and started writing other scripts already in progress.
In watching your video, it didn't give me the idea, but inspired me to think, "How can I make this concept really interesting, not creepy, and go beyond the cliche?
So, I took the original storyline, spruced it up and came up with something I hope is original and high concept, has lots of conflict, high stakes, and arcs for all involved. The story ends up with a happy ending, although the original star-crossed "kissers", never get together (long story, lol).
I don't want to give anything away as I just wrote it out after watching your video. It's a 3 page beatsheet-synopsis that can be hammered out to feature-length when I have time. (I have so many other scripts i progress already).
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the "inspiration" behind-the-inspiration, if you catch my drift?
Also, I've watched all your other videos and you rock. Thanks for all you do!
p.s. Have you done YA fantasy? I have a CoA Fantasy called "Invisible" that is ready to write. (started this in the "March Zero-thirty challenge", but fell off halfway through the month. It's hosted by GITS's Scott Myers). "A lonely, little girl, a valley, a not-too-scary monster, a mystery, and a whole bunch of suspenseful fun."
Very good, I Learned from you many things and get many information about the script writing and screen writing with details study about the subject,character, themes and plots also script for romantic comedy series various types of books and how to find out from the internet and websites that I am happy to know that
The subject matter you can teach very well and very interesting with easy access thank you so much for your cooperative effort with me.
This is gold!!! ❤
Love this!! Thank you 😁
LOVE IT!!!!!!!💖💖💖
Just got my copy of this book... Thank you. :)
Yeah! It's a great one.
Great tips! Thanks.
Any pointers on science fiction?
Another awesome vid!
‘Goes home, prints off screenplay, lights it on fire. Takes up accounting.’ Thanks, thanks a lot!!
steps to follow to write scripts to any type of story with good conclusion which is following in University
Hey Word Dancer, I love your videos! :)
Could you share which movies you think don't follow the "rules"? You say so many rom coms you see don't have the high stakes, or the plot is just about them and it's not interesting. Could you show an example? I'd say the Midnight trilogy is a good example of a romcom revolving around just the two of them (the 1st one at least, if I remember correctly). What would be a bad example?
Forgive the guy who hit the dislike button. They were looking for the 'A Guide to Greek Mythology in Times of AI' channel...
LOL.
This is of a great help
Awesome and thank you. I'm getting a lot out of these vids #Respect
This was really good.
WOW!!! your Videos are helping me so much Thx
Cool! Thanks for letting me know:)
we need more videos from u
You are the best!
Hi! I really appreciate this video! There's any tip or screenplay to recommend about a romcom that involves someone trying to putting the main characters apart? like the best friend of the girl which is secretly in love with her or something like that... and a for a romcom about characters which already dated years before?
Love to have a Real life romcom with you!
The issues you describe with Romantic Comedies can be seen in all their glory in every movie shown on Hallmark or CAG. Trite dialogue, lame stories, and predictable plots. It's like watching a bad sitcom that lasts 90 minutes. Yet the TV is always on one of those channels if my wife has the remote. She feels the same way when I watch sports. The conflict between men and women and the programs they watch could be the next Hallmark movie. At least it will have conflict!
Genius .
11:52 As you’re describing this, I thought it would be really funny to do this to absurd levels. Have the ex-boyfriend be a ballistic action hero.
yes
:)
Zombies/undead and vampires seem more perennial. Rom-coms are fairly new whereas the latter two have been around for centuries (romance, however, has been around forever).
You never heard of "Romeo hates Juliet?" I think some guy name Bill wrote it back in the day. A big hit, from what I hear. ;-)
"Fairly new"? William Powell, Myrna Loy and Carole Lombard would heartily disagree.
9:33 .. that is absolutely wrong. That's why I turn off movies. Maybe you don't know this but if people really like each other they see past the small things and don't have petty fights. If it's missing action that's when you zoom out the movie and have them work towards a goal together. Avoid petty patronising or petty fighting.
True, but all stories need conflict.
yep, I liked it.
Excellent!!!
:)
👍👍👍👍
I always curious... Are you an aries? Because I can feel your fire!!!! 💓
Rom-com concept: Boy zombie meets vampire girl. Hijinks.
Douche is the French word for shower
Funny. When I’m finished, you’ll beg me to teach you what I did (I won’t) bc I’ll be busy with my next... I’ve thrown mine past people they don’t know what the hell im smoking
Sleepless and Harry met
Both really suck.
Witten on s mediocre level on a mediocre genre.
I’m almost ashamed I lowered my self...
I know, who am I?
You have to STOP making videos....because I watch youtube and write scripts on the same machine, and you are DESTROYING my productivity!
+Exquisite Corpse
Lol
Exquisite Corpse totally agree!
She is very helpful to me...
Writing horror?
I will put it on the list!
I won’t ask your advice