Screenwriting : Double Mumbo Jumbo comes to liife by Rutger Oosterhoff

When Double Mumbo Jumbo steps out of "Who saved the cat" wanting to write something original, it has to face Aristotle, William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, Irwin Blacker, David Howard, Frank Daniel, Gustav Frytag, Frank Daniel, Syd Field, Linda Seger, Chris Vogler, Michael Hague, David Siegel ,Robert McKee, John Truby, Blake Snyder, Robert Garant and Thomas Lennon, Michael Hauge, William Akers, Lucy V. Hay, Pilar Alessandra, Charles Harris and Bruce Lee to realize the importance of dramatic structure and the elements of drama, or suffer the worst faith known to writers: getting dumped by its agent and getting a pass from every producer in the world.

I know, I know....it's a little wordy, but it's a tragedy-comedy-horror-action-road movie art film, and sometimes epiphanies don't happen very quickly.

Laura: I respectfully disagree with you. In my opinion, formulas can either increase or decrease originality and creativity - I'd say it all depends on who is doing the writing.

Laura, agree. I think of structure as a design specification (acts, expected beats, length, etc.). What you create has to perform within and meet that specification. Within those overall constraints, there are many options.

Not sure what this post is about? Perhaps I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning... But all "mumbo jumbo" means to me in the context of screenwriting is a lack of thematic and narrative focus, a jumbled, messy hard-to-follow story with too much going on. Not sure what Pinocchio and thus lying have to do with it? So to put all that into some logline... yeah, I got nothing. More coffee, please. ;)

And having an unfocused, messy, jumbled, hard-to-follow story is just bad writing, is it not? How is that a debate about "formula?" Or creativity, for that matter? Lol! ;)

I took it as Rutger making a joke (and maybe even a criticism) about Save the Cat, and wanted us to make a logline that was based on that. My logline was based on that. That's gonna be a tough logline to beat, but I'm willing to give the prize that I won in the Stage32 Academy Awards Contest to the person who can beat it. I'll be...ahem-ahem...the sole judge. Best of luck to everyone!

NOT criticism Bill, just a bit of messy, unfocused fun. I love Blake Snyder. And the idea is that if Double Mumbo Jumbo steps out of Blake's book he 'is' all conflicted because he 'is' "Double Mumbo Jumbo"; an 'it' consists of all bad Double Mumbo Jumbo stories. It has to find his real inner self to become a real person.

The structure I used is only a standard logline structure with a lot of dots. The only thing that should be standard is 'it' coming out of the book.

Rutger: I like your fun idea, which inspired me to make my logline. I'm still waiting for others to try and beat it and lay claim to my prize from the Stage32 Oscars Contest.

I think writing exercises are a great way to strengthen a writer's creative chops. Forum topics like this one are fun, and helpful, too. Good job, Rutger!

Haha, I like your logline Bill, Although I see Blake Snyder more in the line of Gepetto, being Double Mumbo Jumbo guide in 'it' its quest of becoming a real, non-conflicting, person and Hollywood's darling. And yes, I'm afraid the 'waiting' will be in vain. Could have learned so much! Cheers Bill!!

Ok.."Who saved the cat" ..wanting to lick his wounds, it has to shake it's mumbled brain to sort the peices out or...suffer the consequences...!

STC is a tool. Best Frankenstein Monster voice Tools, good!

What consequences Rachel? ..or ...

Ok..Just playing here!...the consequences of his confused mind...!

....his befuddled..disarranged...fog filled exisitance that keeps his shaking his head...this way and that..to rid himself of his troubles...oh my!

pardon..him..

Yes, he has to reinvent himself the hard way!

Always lessons on the journey....:-)!

Ha! Ha..HARd!!...:-)!