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Sructure for screenplays - 8/12/2008 8:43:02 PM
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Giulia
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Joined: 9/29/2005
From: Giulia
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Structure for screenplays is important because it gives the plot and characters shape. I must admit I have found looking for structure in some screenplays quite baffling because in Shine it is a 4 act structure, not the classic 3 act structure everyone says screenplays are made up of. When I write I feel I get into a rhythm and that has it's own structure though sometimes beats are missing. For this I look to books which talk about structure.
I have checked out some screen writing books. I like Chris Vogler's The Writer's Journey-Mythical Structure. I fully understand the way he talks about the hero, the mentor, the threshold guardian, shape shifter, trickster and so on. I feel I have more of a handle on the characters than the plot structure.
I understand the hero's journey and the call to adventure and subsequent road to redemption. I don't agree there needs to be a refusal always, but it could just be conflict. The way I understand structure it is like an assignment for school. Your intro, your body and the conclusion.
I did a film review and gave a talk on mythical characters. I used Vogler's ideas for both. Even with Shine I was able to identify the mythical journey with the threshold guardian being his father (others would call him the antagonist, but I like threshold guardian or gatekeeper), his call to adventure being his scholarship and so on.
I was amazed to see a utube clip of Linda Seger. She talks about God and prayer. She is a script development person and I also know of one book she has about screen writing.
I am not a very structured person. I said the other day that structure is the enemy of the creative mind. I was joking.  I do think structure is like a bucket which is needed for collection of water. Without it there is confusion or scattered material. I know it also comes easier with practice.
All in all the Mythical Journey is a story of redemption. A journey towards wholeness. The hero usually has something lacking or something has been taken from them, the word hero comes from the Greek word which means to protect and to serve. For this they must transcend their ego and find a greater goal, like in Casablanca, for eg, when Bogart chooses to stay behind with his friend and sacrifice his love for Ingrid Bergman (though I do question the relationship when he refers to her as "kid").
Though not all stories or screenplays end in redemption.
< Message edited by Giulia -- 8/12/2008 10:39:52 PM >
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Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
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RE: Sructure for screenplays - 8/13/2008 11:07:16 AM
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Ganheim
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This was informative. I haven't read The Writer's Journey-Mythical Structure, but it sounds like something to keep in mind when I have a spot open on my "to-read" list. Your note that not all stories end in redemption was an interesting one, because tragedies - where the protagonist doesn't get everything going his/her way - are some of my favorite stories. In a way, the audience ends up walking away greater than the start of the story, but that's because of the object lesson provided by the main characters, and it's the question posed by the protagonist that catalyzes that growth.
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RE: Sructure for screenplays - 8/14/2008 4:19:26 PM
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Giulia
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From: Giulia
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quote:
This was informative. I haven't read The Writer's Journey-Mythical Structure, but it sounds like something to keep in mind when I have a spot open on my "to-read" list. Your note that not all stories end in redemption was an interesting one, because tragedies - where the protagonist doesn't get everything going his/her way - are some of my favorite stories. In a way, the audience ends up walking away greater than the start of the story, but that's because of the object lesson provided by the main characters, and it's the question posed by the protagonist that catalyzes that growth.
I guess Vogler would tell you every story has this structure. Vogler was influenced by Joseph Campbell who wrote "Hero with a Thousand Faces". He was a student of myths and looked into religion as well. He is not Christian but has some insight to offer everyone. Lucas was also influenced by these and he openly acknowledged their influence in Star Wars.
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Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
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RE: Sructure for screenplays - 8/18/2008 10:21:31 AM
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rgod
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I have this book at home (I haven't started reading it yet). I'm excited to start it. Have you read Story by Robert McKee? Did you find it to be helpful to you?
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