Regarding Tip #3 - Totally agree tht we don't need the relate to the character yet so long as there's conflict in the first 2 pages. I vividly recall from an actual feedback from the Austin Film Festival where this D.U.M.B. reader said 'bcoz u didn't develop the character, we don't feel anything for his conflict' - *the loudest facepalm in the world!!*
Not really. I mean before you describe the alien, describe the cornfield the alien is running through. I understand and know what a cornfield is like. I've seen that. I haven't seen the alien. Most new writers write this beat as: An ALIEN, four arms, eyes on every limb, and what looks like a scorpion's tale chase a FARMER (20s) through a cornfield. no no no no.... The cornfield is vast. Rows and rows of it to the horizon. But-- Something's moving through it-- Fast-- A FARMER (20s). Running like his life depends on it. Looking back, he sees four, muscular green arms flailing above the cornstalks-- Something that looks like a massive scorpion's tail behind them-- It's all the same creature... an ALIEN. Eyes cover its rhino-like head so it can see in all directions. And it's pissed off. ...Someone will say, "well, that first one is better because it's shorter." Nope. It doesn't ground the reader, and it doesn't convey any emotion. The first is more like a straight up story... the second is storytelling. How you lead the reader through the story, letting them first become grounded in something familiar. A cornfield. A farmer. Running scared. Then the alien. That's what I mean by grounding the reader first. They have to have something familiar to understand. Hopefully that helps a little.
It's just the nature of the business. Most people forget it's a business. The goal is to make money, and if you want to play, you have to think that way. Just how it is.
You're a really good content creator, all your videos are on point. Really helpful advice, keep it up! :)
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Wow, you hit the nail on the head with this one. Cheers!!!
This is gold! Thank you
Your videos are helping me so much! THANK YOU!
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for this video, it is really helpful.
Regarding Tip #3 - Totally agree tht we don't need the relate to the character yet so long as there's conflict in the first 2 pages. I vividly recall from an actual feedback from the Austin Film Festival where this D.U.M.B. reader said 'bcoz u didn't develop the character, we don't feel anything for his conflict' - *the loudest facepalm in the world!!*
So many helpful tips!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Seem to have your ten points in my first ten pages of my latest script/play. Perhaps not enough white space. Will look at that.
Awesome video man
Thank you
👍
i didnt expected design advices
5:30 Hahahaha
I don't really understand point 5. Do you mean just show the reader the world we are living in, the normality, things we understand and relate to?
Not really. I mean before you describe the alien, describe the cornfield the alien is running through. I understand and know what a cornfield is like. I've seen that. I haven't seen the alien. Most new writers write this beat as:
An ALIEN, four arms, eyes on every limb, and what looks like a scorpion's tale chase a FARMER (20s) through a cornfield.
no no no no....
The cornfield is vast. Rows and rows of it to the horizon. But--
Something's moving through it--
Fast--
A FARMER (20s). Running like his life depends on it.
Looking back, he sees four, muscular green arms flailing above the cornstalks--
Something that looks like a massive scorpion's tail behind them--
It's all the same creature... an ALIEN. Eyes cover its rhino-like head so it can see in all directions. And it's pissed off.
...Someone will say, "well, that first one is better because it's shorter." Nope. It doesn't ground the reader, and it doesn't convey any emotion. The first is more like a straight up story... the second is storytelling. How you lead the reader through the story, letting them first become grounded in something familiar. A cornfield. A farmer. Running scared. Then the alien.
That's what I mean by grounding the reader first. They have to have something familiar to understand. Hopefully that helps a little.
wow, these videos certainly explain why Hollywood scripts are so formulaic and disappointing: scripts have scripts.
It's just the nature of the business. Most people forget it's a business. The goal is to make money, and if you want to play, you have to think that way. Just how it is.