Sunday Picture Post 20 / Home Sweet Home
For The Sunday Picture Post, we are going to flip upside-down the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Thousands of words are great if you are writing a novel, but if you are writing a screenplay, you need to do the opposite and be as concise as possible.
Each Sunday I will post a picture. For your screenwriting practice in brevity, in the comments section, please post one or all of the following:
- A title for this movie
- 1 word describing the theme, mood, or scene
- 1 sentence to describe the scene
- A pitch to sell the entire movie
The more colorful and creative you are, the better! Use any genre.
A good screenwriter is laconic, using a few words to say a lot.
SCREENWRITING TIP OF THE DAY: HOME SWEET HOME
When writing a story, it is suggested to start the story with the main character in his or her original, natural, and regular environment. This creates contrast when the character goes on a journey. It shows why the journey is so important to this character and to you the viewer.
For instance, if we see a character has grown up poor, and now he is the richest man in the world, it builds sympathy for the character, whether the character is kind or cruel.
Take Miss Universe and say that now she is a burn victim.
Maybe it is an animal character who is the star, and his regular environment is one of abuse and food deprivation, but he breaks free. After being caught by the pound, a nice family saves him.
Two classic examples stand out in my mind: 1) Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and 2) Alice in Wonderland. They are both introduced in their normal world and then go into their fantasy world. We relate to their normal world. We go on the exciting journey with them as they enter the unknown. The set-up provides relief when they finally return home.
To care about your story, the audience needs to care about your lead character. To care about your character, the audience needs to sympathize. One good way to create sympathy is by showing from where he, she, or it came.
An ‘it’ hero can be a car or a robot. Successful ‘it’ characters also have a back history and a place they call home.
Think about your favorite movie; did the author apply this writing technique?
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6 Responses to “Sunday Picture Post 20 / Home Sweet Home”
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Jaden,
Yea!
Title: Shorelif. A Dog?
Pitch: Shorelif the dog is actually a human and the extraterrestrials who set him down on Earth have come to reclaim him. Shorelife has had many adventures on Earth, not to mention how hard it is to be a dog when you’re actually a human.
The movie starts with this scene and the ET’s “debrief” shorelif on his life on Earth. The movie progresses with Shorelif witnessing many things only a dog could concerning humans and their behavior. When asked whether he would like to now return to Earth as a human, Shorelif is torn. In the final analysis he answers no because he is heartbroken as to what humans have become.
I like it!
You are giving me a lot of sci-fi ideas I don’t usually get, Jaden. Maybe it’s the mind probe! hehehe Ha!
E
One of my favorite movies is Sommersby with Richard Gere and Jodie Foster. I thought the back story concerning Gere’s character was very well played in this movie.
The backstory with Shorlif would be very interesting to say the least.
I think I might change the title. If you have a better title feel free.
First Glance
Confusion
Walking down the main drag of a small town Hughes discovers the city is a farce.
Awww!
Title: Poppy’s Sun
The story of a blind little dog who taught a family how to see each other.
-Your Neighborhood Dog Lover ;)
Here’s my go at it:
Title: Tippy Takes Tallahassee
Word: Ambition
Scene Description: Tippy sings a solo for her first performance on Broadway.
Pitch: Performing all her life, Tippy finally realizes her dream to star as Toto in the Wizard of Oz on Broadway in New York City, only to fall and break her leg on the second night. The understudy takes over the role. Without any money, Tippy hitches back home to Tallahassee to lick her wounds. Tippy finds new deeper joy performing locally for the senior citizens and writing her own material. One day, Tippy makes her way back to Broadway, as writer, director, and star of her own musical, Tippy Takes Tallahassee. Surprising Tippy, for opening night, one wealthy Tallahasseen buys all the tickets and fills the seats with the residents of the Florida senior living home, this includes some rolling beds and lots of oxygen tanks.
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Ellen — Wow, that is a multi-layered plot! How about, Shorelif Divided?
I would have liked to go to space too, but I have to limit myself to one alien story per month. ;-) I appreciate you calling me out on my Sunday Picture Post tardiness; I’m traveling this week; thanks for noticing and coming back.
Adam — Good title. It peaks my interest as to why is the city a farce?
Melissa — Super tight pitch and title; impressive. Thanks for joining this week. Yeah, I love this image. The dog is really sweet and cute too.
This screenwriting stuff is addictive.
I’m not sure if I should write one, or keep on with my novels. And, does it matter? I always see things in pictures anyway.
I think I will with this last one.
Good travels, Jaden. And take care.