WEDNESDAY'S SCREENWRITING TIP:
DNA EVIDENCE
It's important to make sure each individual scene is focused on the objectives of the script. The small objectives have to lead to the big objectives. Think of your script as a house of cards. Each scene is a card. If you can remove any scene, and the house remains standing, that scene shouldn't have been in your script.
Not only should each scene move the story forward, each scene should also be a microcosm of the story. Every scene should contain the DNA necessary to clone the entire script. You should be able to read any scene from your script and have some idea of what the whole script is about. What is the central conflict of your screenplay? How does THIS scene explore that conflict? This is part of what I call Organic Screenwriting - Each scene has to be integral to the case, not just filler material. Each scene should expose character, move the story forward, and deal with the central conflict of the screenplay... the script's DNA.
IDEA OF THE DAY
On August 16, 1969, the Woodstock Festival began. It was a time of "free love"... so it's possible that a conservative 50 year-old businessman may have an adult child he doesn't even know about. What would happen if that 30 year old decided to crash at dad's place? Adam Sandler is your love child!
THE SECRETS OF STORY: LIAR LIAR Blue Book examines how stories work by looking at the popular Jim Carrey comedy. The Blue Book explains the elements of story: Concepts, Conflict, Characters, Plot, Locations, Time, Tone, Genre and Arena. How each element is critical to building your story, and how to avoid "story problems".
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