Screenwriting : The ONE RULE (to rule them all) in screenwriting by Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing this. Maurice!

I can't agree with you. people watch movies to experience catharsis and get insight. this is the main purpose of an interesting plot.

When I studied psychology, I found similarities between the rules of drama, cognitive activity and the method of solving problems. and the method of solving problems is a specific algorithm for formulating a question and finding an answer to it.

This is really interesting. At AAU we spend weeks outlining our characters, aka, developing our “people” before we even touch a log line. We do this thing called a character generata, where you have to answer questions as if you were the character, you look at their wants/needs in relationship to the protagonist, etc. Its a very tedious process, but what’s interesting is that the work we do is trying to answer a central question that the script is grappling with from each characters perspective, knowing that no one person will answer it in the same way. So it reminds me of a mix between Arthur’s point and Craig’s. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I watched Craig’s video today and loved it. Reminded me of a questionnaire I put together for my graphic novel. It was a series of interview questions that really cemented each character and brought them to life. It’s the characters that drive the story. Love this.

You're right, Arthur. People do watch movies to experience catharsis and get insight (and to be entertained), but if movies aren't about people (the characters), a lot of time the movies will feel empty and boring -- even movies with the most interesting and exciting plots.

Transformers is a film about intelligent machines that fight among themselves. Where are the people in this story? There are none. No one thinks of transformers as a metaphor depicting people.

You're welcome, Matthew. Thanks for sharing about character generata. It sounds really helpful. It's like stepping into the characters' shoes.

The "Transformers" movie series is a great example, Arthur. You said, "No one thinks of transformers as a metaphor depicting people." Actually, there are times when the Transformers depicted/represented people. Here's an example: Bumblebee losing his voice (a metaphor for when people are silenced/free speech is restricted).

Arthur, people watch reasons for all kinds of reasons, not just the ones you feel are the right reason to watch a movie. Tell me what catharsis and insight we obtain from watching Dumb and Dumber?

Robert Russo, stupid people don't see prospects, even if they are right in front of them. the scene with the bus clearly explains this.

Here's a suggestion: take couple of A-list scripts (different authors, different genres) and analyze them beat by beat, format, structure, dialogue...you'd be amazed...there's a reason they're doers and we're tryers...

Thank you everyone for your kind words and comments.

Kiril, what should I be looking? I do read a lot of screenplays. Depending on the genre there will be conventions that the audience is expecting to see. Like a RomCom, i you don’t have the “meet cute”, it will not feel like a RomCom.

Arthur Charpentier transformers turn into humanoids. They become the most human thing they can be. Crocodiles are far more dangerous that people, why not transform into a Croc? Because they need to look like people so we can engage in their struggles. So we can connect to them as people.

I don’t hear my PC talking to the WriterDuet servers, I don’t hear the servers talking to my iPad. Transformers are just machines, why do they need to communicate like people? To make us hear them, so we can engage with what they say. So we can make a human connection.

In the video I discuss the humanising of non-human things for the audience to connect. That is why Pixar makes cars look like people. Why do cars need to smile, if not to make them human-ish?

When I was young, I asked my brother, who is incredibly well read, “what makes a book literature and not just a story?”. He said “these books go beyond stories, they teach us something”. I try to incorporate that into my writing. I try to make people think, while entertaining them.

You're welcome, Craig. I like what your brother said ("these books go beyond stories, they teach us something"). The movies and shows that have themes and teach us things are the movies and shows that people love and are impacted by years later. The same thing goes for movies and shows that are about people -- like "Forrest Gump" for example.

Yep. So true.

I have become a little obsessed with exploring characters that are being forced to answer for bad choices decades before. I hope that one of these becomes a story people will think about after seeing it.

I haven't written that type of character, Craig. You have me thinking now. :)

Only ONE screenwriting rule - MY RULE. Period!

In my western “Reckoning” (soon to be on scriptrevolution) Hollis is a towns retired sheriff. He did some horrible things during the American civil war. These are coming back to haunt him.