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That's what makes a storyteller a storyteller, a writer a writer. Go up randomly to anyone you know and ask them if they have an idea for a movie or a book that they've had for awhile. Chances are good that they not only have one idea, but several. Most people lack the time or will to turn their...

I think it's just the times. There are bad movies in every era, most movies, plays, books, anything that is ever written is going to be bad or mediocre. That will always be true. But the movies that are made are the best of the stories that are written. So if you don't see anything good, it's...

Rickety, not a bad idea but you have two important things you have to consider in my opinion: 1. The story does not seem to lend itself to early conflict. Even if the story gets very interesting as it unfolds, it sounds like it has the potential to have a "boring" Act I. Now, it doesn't have to...

Did it? I don't think it really changed the movie at all, was done for style, and unnecessary. I like that movie, but I think it would have been just as good or better without breaking the 4th wall.

OK, I can think of one other instance where voice-over works...if you create a dual-protagonist. Think Ishmael and Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, or Andy and Red in the Shawshank Redemption. If Moby Dick was written entirely in 3rd person about Captain Ahab, it would be a story of high adventure on...

I can't speak to every example obviously, including those you guys just posted. But I will say that IMO people will often cite examples of voice-over narration and breaking the fourth wall in film, and how the film is still great and it works. The problem with this, I would argue, is that it...

If you write a flashback, remember these things: 1. The writer must create the desire to want to watch the flashback. You have to lead the audience in to a flashback. You are breaking the narrative action, and this is not something a viewer wants to experience. They would prefer to stay in the...

Breaking the fourth wall is an automatic fail. Even professionals will occasionally try it. Everyone wants to push the envelope. But I don't think it has ever worked one time in thousands of years. I think the way to get around this is for the actor to talk to someone off-screen. They are not...

Stay away from using camera directions in a script. Besides, just using the camera to focus on a shot is not a good technique for telling a story. There is no drama involved in staring at a gate left open when nobody knows what will happen in the future. Cause a scene. Make some drama. Then...

After girl forgets to close the gate on the way out... Mom sticks her head out the kitchen window. MOM: "How many times do I have to tell you?" "Close the gate!" Something along those lines once or twice will foreshadow your event. Later one, after the pet gets killed, the family argues about...

Show, don't tell.

There is truth in that. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. But, just because one repeatedly tries to put a square peg in a round hole, doesn't mean they will get better at it. ;)

Writing is self-expression, so write what beauty means to you. You have to be an artist and make a creative decision here. I'm afraid others can't help you here. Any advice you are given is how they/we see beauty, ...and then if you try and follow up on that, your project will probably fail...

Please, feel free to use this thread to share with others how you have taught yourself to write better. Discuss any aspect you would like. I'll start by sharing my limited experience and hopefully my thoughts will help others: I was in a hurry to write when I began and did not want to buy...

I remember starting this thread 2 years ago. That winter I wrote my first script. Before, I had never thought of screenwriting, and then I had the inspiration to write a screenplay. This brings back memories. Let me tell you, I've come a long way since then with a lot of hard work and...

No, I think this is inadvisable. I am fairly certain that this is a myth and that those do not stand up in court. It's a good idea to register anything you write. But, be honest with yourself. If it is something that is going to wind up in a drawer, or you will film it over the weekend with...

Ideas for stories come from life and what you believe in. Is there anything you feel strongly about in life that you want to tell and prove to the rest of the world? The advice out there is one of two things: "Your story must have a message." "No, don't do that, don't preach to the audience."...

What do you guys/girls think about the relationship between theme and major turning points? I was just reading the Iliad, in which the major theme is Wrath--specifically, Achilles's wrath (it's the first word of the story too). It occurred to me that the two major turning points in the story...

Story by McKee is the best screenwriting book I've ever read (and I've read many). I think a lot of people completely miss the points in the book. Unlike other books which usually offer up a formula, Story teaches you principles. You have to have the kind of mind where you read the material...

I thought it was just stupid, not funny at all. I watched it with family and I think they liked it or at least thought it was eh, but for me it was just mind numbing. Everything was predictable and over the top and cliche and the comedy wasn't funny...what was up with the stupid fake Vietnamese...