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Interesting video. However, I didn't buy his - "you got to have at least three major reversals." Struck me as odd that I guy railing against a formula basically advertised one. IMO anyway.
However, I didn't buy his - "you got to have at least three major reversals." Struck me as odd that I guy railing against a formula basically advertised one.
I agree.
Only posted the video because I saw it a while back and this conversation reminded me of it.
I'll tell you the truth...most peeps don't really know what story is vs. plot. Both are key, but plot is where a script/movie will shine or sink like dead carp.
Story can be as simple as you want, but there needs to be plot and plot points that keep readers/viewers glued to their seats.
I love cats, but in this regard, I say, "fuck the cat".
I read the book, and thought it was quite interesting.
I don't agree with everything he says, but the beat-breakdown was an interesting chapter and has some merit. I've watched a number of movies since and he's very accurate with the plot points.
I was not impressed with his ego... he kinda boasts about the films he made as if they were any good. That's a negative. But he's a decent narrator and quite fun.
STC was the first book on screenwriting I read, years ago when it first came out. As a beginner, it helped me immensely. Mostly with structure. As I matured as a writer, I began to stray from that "paint by numbers" format. I highly recommend it for people just starting out, but for writers with some experience, I think it would set them back. Your writing skills are beyond STC Eldave. If you're looking for helpful material to take you to the next level, I recommend John Truby books/workshops. They're awesome. Really help with depth of story and character.
I couldn't say it better myself. It's a great book for beginners because it is a nice formula for writing a script that is easy to comprehend and has some validity to it. But as you develop your craft you'll find yourself straying from it as you stretch your creative wings. It's one of the first books I read in pieces at my local Barnes and Noble and helped me early on by validating a lot of what I was already working on.
That said, the book is usually frowned upon by "screenwriters" as childish or a as an overly simplified set of instructions for writing a script. I wouldn't brag to anybody you've read it as you'll get nasty looks and snarky remarks from those who "know" better.