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Some Sage Advice from an Exec from ICM

Hello writers,

I recently interviewed an exec from ICM and he had some amazing advice that I wanted to share with you all. We were talking about pitching and about writers crafting really big, complex stories. I really wanted to get his insight on how he feels writers can create big stories that studios and audience members can still wrap their heads around.

Here was his advice:

Ground your bigger stories with something we can latch on to. You can build big worlds but you need to have accessible characters that an audience can relate to. Studios are always looking for unique world building, but accessible characters need to be in the forefront of your story.

If you have a complex, unique world then your plot and driving force need to be simple. Movies like Mad Max:Fury Road and Terminator 2, as two examples, contain a very unique backdrop and a very streamlined, simple, focused throughline. You should not try to balance a unique world with a complex plot.

When pitching stories with a complex world and unique set pieces, focus on the character relationships. An executive will have an easier time grasping onto the throughline if you focus on something they can relate to (i.e. character dynamics and relationships). Don't let your protagonist get swallowed up in complexity.

When contemplating how to create your protagonist consider making him/her a fish-out-of-water. Most people feel like a fish-out-of-water in their own lives, which is why those types of protagonists are usually the most engaging and universally appealing.
Best,

Joey Tuccio
President of Stage 32 Happy Writers
 
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