Three better words are "Do I Care?" Sure you might wonder what happens next if the setup looks interesting enough, but I've seen plenty of movies and shows where I was left on a cliffhanger but didn't care if I never found out what happened next. For example, that happened after I watched a few seasons of The Walking Dead which ultimately didn't click for me. Seasons would always end with the heroes unsettled again and on the road because of events but I eventually didn't give a damn if I found out their ultimate fate. And I still don't - I never even looked at how the series ended. I didn't care.
Couldn’t agree more because we have been programmed to know what happens to next but like you said, do we care? In most tv and film nowadays we don’t because everything is soooo formulaic.
@@filmcourageprobably about the part of the video that is like (paraphrasing) "in a series you get 8 hours to tell a story instead of 2 in a movie, so it doesnt get condensed and you can add those "unnesesary" extra details".
@filmcourage Many network writers are forced to follow their templates, and I quit asking, "What happens next." Dramas, especially the cops and robbers shows found on CBS, became so predictable that I knew the identity of the antagonist, the method used to commit the crime, and the criminal's motive within the first seven minutes of the broadcast. I understand the network rules limit creativity from moving beyond the proven formula, but it was boring, and they lost their audience (me).
I disagree with Andy's analysis of Lost in Translation script. He thinks they were "just" flirting throughout the film and nothing happened. In my opinion, I think it was because Sofia Coppola used a 4 act structure that is common in Asia and sometimes referred to as Kishotenketsu. It doesn't necessarily need to have a conclusion as we as Westerners are used to. Using Andy's vocabulary when he mentions the "spine" of the story, I think is not about these two characters flirting there is a common emotional issue that they are going through in their separate lives, but they never had a chance to share it openly with no one else before until they met and recognize in each other that same emotion. Obviously one main character is the city of Tokyo itself which in a sense triggers all the "drama".
Hallmark movies does the predictable. Girl dates Guy 1, falls in love with Guy 2 and you usually can figure out the guy within 10 mins of the movie. I don't typically watch hallmark movies myself but I know people who do and I can figure out the general storyline within 10 mins or so of the movie. I don't watch horror movies anymore either but they are all predictable too.
I didn't like Lost in Translation and most people I say that to think I'm an idiot. He said, "it was barely a script," and yet it won the Acadamy Award... See how I withheld information there???!!!
I started off with ‘what if this happened…?’ and keep getting ‘what happens next?’ So I guess I’m doing well. I have even been surprised myself by what came next when my characters lead the story.
I conceive of your audience in terms of the fundamental childlike impulse to show and tell. When you're a kid you tell jokes from TV and regail the other kids with the most amazing stuff you saw in culture, the on the playground word of mouth "shares". Being creative and an artist and a storyteller, is to honor the same impulse, "look at this you guys I gotta show i gotta tell ya!" Finding that in yourself authentically through the process, without just loving it cause you made it up, is the real skill. Of course a jobs a job
Everyone says Ex Machina is awesome and it's good but only a few minutes in I pegged it as a variation of the story of Bluebeard so that, apart from the final twist I wasn't surprised. Also I didn't like any of the characters which is weird because usually I'm right into AI characters.
What Happens Next sounds like great advice, but I disagree with his examples. I thought Michael Clayton was a dumb, predictable movie. I liked Lost in Translation because it spoke to me strongly on an emotional level even though it didn't follow the typical story template.
I wouldn't recommend writing those words litteraly at the end of each chapter. What he means is, you gotta keep your audience interested, and the best way is to have them say: what comes next? after they turn the page
with D.E.I and now sensitivity readers (lol) I am always ahead of the story. I can tell from identity which character survives and who ends up as the villain. in pretty much all new films even in varying degrees. atm I'm watching Gran Turismo and I could guess from the casting who would win each race and who the *sshole would be. I guessed right every time lol
@@TheJadedFilmMaker "In pretty much all new films even in varying degrees" Generally, I've found a lot of new content to be garbage, so I was going to politely suggest a couple of old noir films, and a delightfully dark tv show, each with events transpiring in all manner of surprising ways, with respective endings that I personally did not see coming My english isn't bad, but wow are you an unpleasant person Perhaps next time someone tries to have a conversation about movies, you can pull your head out long enough to be a human being
In this current time of Instant Gratification and a vast majority of millennials and GenZ's, is it even possible to "What Next It and Withhold"? Many years are put in to find that delicate balance but it feels like its wearing thin. Audience shift is the primary aspect that killed the Horror Genre for which all the elements he has talk about were largely used.
Here is our full interview with Andy - ruclips.net/video/ghRoyKX3BtQ/видео.html
Such clear explanations. What happens next is a great barometer and checking in on the imaginary audience constantly. Great.
Three better words are "Do I Care?" Sure you might wonder what happens next if the setup looks interesting enough, but I've seen plenty of movies and shows where I was left on a cliffhanger but didn't care if I never found out what happened next.
For example, that happened after I watched a few seasons of The Walking Dead which ultimately didn't click for me. Seasons would always end with the heroes unsettled again and on the road because of events but I eventually didn't give a damn if I found out their ultimate fate. And I still don't - I never even looked at how the series ended. I didn't care.
Couldn’t agree more because we have been programmed to know what happens to next but like you said, do we care? In most tv and film nowadays we don’t because everything is soooo formulaic.
Because Walking Dead's story was this ever recurring circle with only slight variations each time.
This is exactly why I quit watching network television.
What do you mean?
@@filmcourageprobably about the part of the video that is like (paraphrasing) "in a series you get 8 hours to tell a story instead of 2 in a movie, so it doesnt get condensed and you can add those "unnesesary" extra details".
@filmcourage Many network writers are forced to follow their templates, and I quit asking, "What happens next." Dramas, especially the cops and robbers shows found on CBS, became so predictable that I knew the identity of the antagonist, the method used to commit the crime, and the criminal's motive within the first seven minutes of the broadcast. I understand the network rules limit creativity from moving beyond the proven formula, but it was boring, and they lost their audience (me).
For me was "the message"
Andy has started his channel, offers great insights there as well.
Most condensed superb advise I've seen on screenwriting yet
Rom Coms are always so formulaic. They meet fall in love, here comes the conflict, then happy ending.
Andy Gerdat is a fuckin legend. Hes like the Severus Snape of screenplay, albiet not dumboldor, but Snape is a fuckin legendary professor. So is Andy.
Great advice! This advice provides perspective from the Audience.
Great content as always. I love how his cap bops when he raises his eyebrows after dropping wisdom
I disagree with Andy's analysis of Lost in Translation script. He thinks they were "just" flirting throughout the film and nothing happened. In my opinion, I think it was because Sofia Coppola used a 4 act structure that is common in Asia and sometimes referred to as Kishotenketsu. It doesn't necessarily need to have a conclusion as we as Westerners are used to. Using Andy's vocabulary when he mentions the "spine" of the story, I think is not about these two characters flirting there is a common emotional issue that they are going through in their separate lives, but they never had a chance to share it openly with no one else before until they met and recognize in each other that same emotion. Obviously one main character is the city of Tokyo itself which in a sense triggers all the "drama".
Hallmark movies does the predictable. Girl dates Guy 1, falls in love with Guy 2 and you usually can figure out the guy within 10 mins of the movie. I don't typically watch hallmark movies myself but I know people who do and I can figure out the general storyline within 10 mins or so of the movie.
I don't watch horror movies anymore either but they are all predictable too.
Andy has fantastic and hard earned wisdom. Great interview.
I didn't like Lost in Translation and most people I say that to think I'm an idiot. He said, "it was barely a script," and yet it won the Acadamy Award... See how I withheld information there???!!!
Say hi to Andy - www.youtube.com/@TheGoDraft
instantly subscribed. Going to enjoy watching his videos asap
@filmcourage: Is this an example of what @TheGoDraft is describing?
ruclips.net/user/shortsUwcfMMyHcag?feature=shared
Amazing advice, especially the part about withholding information.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I started off with ‘what if this happened…?’ and keep getting ‘what happens next?’ So I guess I’m doing well. I have even been surprised myself by what came next when my characters lead the story.
Wow, really condescending view of Lost in Translation. That movie has so much beautiful subtext. I wonder why he mostly writes scripts for cartoons.
I conceive of your audience in terms of the fundamental childlike impulse to show and tell. When you're a kid you tell jokes from TV and regail the other kids with the most amazing stuff you saw in culture, the on the playground word of mouth "shares". Being creative and an artist and a storyteller, is to honor the same impulse, "look at this you guys I gotta show i gotta tell ya!" Finding that in yourself authentically through the process, without just loving it cause you made it up, is the real skill. Of course a jobs a job
This is so good!!
"What happens next?" Of course, then an agonizing wait.
I LOVE THE TEACHINGS OF ANDY! THANK U SIR!!!
I actually met Andy years ago when I went to film school
Everyone says Ex Machina is awesome and it's good but only a few minutes in I pegged it as a variation of the story of Bluebeard so that, apart from the final twist I wasn't surprised. Also I didn't like any of the characters which is weird because usually I'm right into AI characters.
What Happens Next sounds like great advice, but I disagree with his examples. I thought Michael Clayton was a dumb, predictable movie. I liked Lost in Translation because it spoke to me strongly on an emotional level even though it didn't follow the typical story template.
A lot of times that comes down to the actors saving a chaotic script with raw emotional power that wasn't in the original text.
The best interviewer ever !
Do you use these 3 words every time you write?
I wouldn't recommend writing those words litteraly at the end of each chapter. What he means is, you gotta keep your audience interested, and the best way is to have them say: what comes next? after they turn the page
“What happens next…?”
Also:
“What if…?”
“If only…?”
“If this goes on…”
I’m always asking myself that question while writing my screenplays. Lol
with D.E.I and now sensitivity readers (lol) I am always ahead of the story. I can tell from identity which character survives and who ends up as the villain.
in pretty much all new films even in varying degrees.
atm I'm watching Gran Turismo and I could guess from the casting who would win each race and who the *sshole would be. I guessed right every time lol
@@TheJadedFilmMaker
"In pretty much all new films even in varying degrees"
Generally, I've found a lot of new content to be garbage, so I was going to politely suggest a couple of old noir films, and a delightfully dark tv show, each with events transpiring in all manner of surprising ways, with respective endings that I personally did not see coming
My english isn't bad, but wow are you an unpleasant person
Perhaps next time someone tries to have a conversation about movies, you can pull your head out long enough to be a human being
This is amazing advice😂
Be one with the zeitgeist. Be critical of the zeitgeist. Be better than the zeitgeist; control the zeitgeist.
Best advice evet
Great interview.
Thanks Baz!
Great!
GOT was a hit because of shocks. Lol
Almost every episode you wonder who gets killed in this one?
In this current time of Instant Gratification and a vast majority of millennials and GenZ's, is it even possible to "What Next It and Withhold"? Many years are put in to find that delicate balance but it feels like its wearing thin. Audience shift is the primary aspect that killed the Horror Genre for which all the elements he has talk about were largely used.
It's a good idea to avoid the what-happens-next of the idiot plot, plot turn :-)
..... Here comes the part where the girlfriend/wife/daughter gets kidnapped by the villain. 🙄
Some of this is subjective. Michael Clayton bored me
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