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That's not how you Structure a script! (currently 7164 views)
Dreamscale
Posted: May 11th, 2009, 7:01pm
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James, why do you say that whatever you write is ultimately going to conform to a 3 act structure? That's not true at all, as far as I can see. And also, I don't think it comes down to being a terrible writer when it doesn't conform to said structure.
I think it's pretty much the opposite...it takes a pretty good writer to make something work that is atypical in structure and the like.
That's it. It doesn't matter what structure you have or what is going on, or what genre it is, it should never ever get boring.
So many films get made that stick like super glue to the heroes journey template that I find it hard to say you SHOULDN'T stick to it, but my God they are predictable.
James, why do you say that whatever you write is ultimately going to conform to a 3 act structure? That's not true at all, as far as I can see. And also, I don't think it comes down to being a terrible writer when it doesn't conform to said structure.
I think it's pretty much the opposite...it takes a pretty good writer to make something work that is atypical in structure and the like.
My thoughts exactly. I think one of the problems a writer finds him/her self in is when someone says "you gotta know the structure rules in order to break them". These "rules" are templates.
I subscribe to the Done Deal Pro database which provides updates on the latest scripts sales.
I get my scripts from the nice people at the Done Deal forum. They have a nice bunch there. Some industry insiders. Many have representation. Three of the members sold scripts last year, two of which ended on the black list. Another member was also a 2008 Nicholl winner and is now getting paid studio gigs.
One of the members has kindly made ALL of her scripts available online. Props to PJ AKA Limama!
From the top of my head, the recent, noticable newbie specs include:
Prisoners by Aaron Guzikowski - which has Christian Bale, Mark Whalberg and Bryan Singer attached. This one was a definite page turner for me!
The Days Before by Chad St. John - which has Robert Downey Jnr, Reese Witherspoon, and Wanted director attached. Fun sci-fi action.
The Low Dweller by Brad Inglesby - sold and became black list script and had Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio attached at one point. Apparently the breakthrough writer of 2008. Landed lots of writing gigs.
James, why do you say that whatever you write is ultimately going to conform to a 3 act structure? That's not true at all, as far as I can see. And also, I don't think it comes down to being a terrible writer when it doesn't conform to said structure.
I think it's pretty much the opposite...it takes a pretty good writer to make something work that is atypical in structure and the like.
In almost all of the scripts I've read here, something happens and it's concluded somehow. It's not an issue of a problem being solved. Just concluded. I know there's a handful of writers who aren't fans of "following the rules," so to speak, and yet they do for the most part. They just take a few liberties. Even in nonlinear scripts, the information you need to follow the story is given in the beginning and usually things get wrapped up in the end. So even something like Memento or Reservoir Dogs follows the three act structure, while being seemingly free of it at the same time.
I don't know. Maybe I'm not making much sense. I just feel like most of the scripts I write end up having a beginning, middle and end, even if they're out of order, there's no "real" conclusion or the first act is more than half the script. I never think about conforming to structure while writing. I just go where the story takes me and it usually works out and makes sense in the end. So I guess I'm just speaking from experience.
I think the last thing you said is true as well though. I won't dispute that.
It was OK. It read quite quickly. I think that it should give people a lot of hope though if that's the very best around.
It's just the old abduction story with a bit of undeveloped Satanist action it. There's nothing new in there or anything particularly moving or powerful.
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That's not how you Structure a script!
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