Sunday Picture Post 21 / Top 3 Elements of a Great Story
photo credit: Parksy1964
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.
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SCREENWRITING TIP OF THE DAY: TOP 3 ELEMENTS OF A GREAT STORY
Dirtbag’s top 3 are:
1. Relating to characters
2. Time: is it past, present, or future?
3. The reveal, how the story unfolds and flow
Jaden’s top 3 are:
1. Originality
2. Believability
3. Caring about the characters
The Shakespeare special:
1. Relatable characters with strengths and weaknesses
2. Death, life, and power struggle
3. Clever writing, playing on words and history
What are your top 3 elements that make for a great story?
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1. Is it believable?
2. Does the story have an impacting message?
3. Are the characters well developed?
The Fall
Tragedy
Dark clouds roll in as Serena prepares herself for the performance of a lifetime.
Serena, a Romanian circus acrobat, struggles to survive financially. To try to make ends meet, she performs at various venues around the country. When a serious accident occurs, what will she do to survive?
P.S. Thanks Jaden for sending Kari down to Comic-Con on my behalf! I’m having a phone interview with Paul Wieland (director of Mr. Bean TV series, Made of Honor, and Sixty Six, which makes it’s NY premiere this coming Friday). I also found out on Friday that I’m now registered as press with the Academy of Motion Pictures. My next step is to apply in September for press credentials for the 81st Oscars that be going on in Feb. (the end of my last spring break). I don’t know if I’ll get it or not, but if I do, I’ll be going out there! Thanks again for all the help and encouragement you give through your website!
The small Hero
Inspiring
Aane the elephant kid is nervous before the elephant school race, as the clouds loom large and his father is expecting his son to be a winner.
A short and sweet animation story about parenting and kids as seen through the elephant world
Title: The Tent
Pitch: A woman goes looking for her son that has been abducted by a Persian princess
Like a hall of mirrors, an Anglo woman looks for her son abducted in NY by a wealthy shiek’s wife. The last time she sees him is in Harrod’s department store. She is shocked to learn that….(not sure what?), but this is what the story revolves around. That and the fact that it is woven into her past somehow. Nothing is as it seems.
SizzlyP, shashikantha, EllenW — You all did a great job at being concise this time and evoking vivid imagery. Well done!
SizzlyP — You are welcome and thank you. Maybe I will see you down in SoCal in February. Good luck with your current exciting endeavors!
Screenwriter Michael Hauge’s Top 3:
1. elicit emotion
2. create strong characters
3. structure your stories
(Just thought I ought to add his important top 3, since I just came across it, while researching my next post.)