I too am a comic artist and writer. In your area have u ever joined a group or used meetup for interacting with others to ask for assistance or vice versa? I find it useful to bounce ideas off of other ppl. Just curious. Good luck out there.
"Hollywood is wherever you're creating something that has meaning, something that you gave it your really best effort." - Love that! I'll take that line with me wherever I'm working on my Sci-Fi scripts. (BC at the moment) - Thank you, Film Courage. What would we do without your channel. Happy New Year and nothing but the most amazing GROWTH MINDSET for everyone in 2022.
I love that he's pointing out that the most important thing is good characters and good story...and "the message" comes after. This year Hollywood has double down on "the message"... and the ONE FILM that didn't do "the message" and just tried to tell a good story is being rewarded with a 1 billion dollar box office... probably 1.5 to 2 billion by the time it's done. I'm talking about No Way Home, of course.
No Way Home gets some help from recycling older stories though, so it’s not just the film itself. You feel for the characters because you’ve known them for your whole life.
@@nicklaslouie5693 True... but the same applies for print media. A single Manga, Demon Slayer, outsold the entire US comic book industry... by 10. Meaning this single Manga sold 10 copies for every 1 copy of every other US comic book out there combined... and it's because Manga isn't constrained by "the message"... it exists to tell good stories.
It's the current 'Inception' effect big films are searching for. 5 punchlines/Story Arcs in one short sequence, offering a 2 hour layered rush of sudden multiple plot comprehension near the end of the film. One big twist isn't enough for modern audiences.
There is a difference between a message that tries to hammer down in a one dimensional POV, and a writer with something to say eg theme. A character has a need or a want that we all want and need in a universal sense. If your story has nothing, then it's empty and that will give you empty seats. Entertainment means to engage, not just deliver popcorn and candy.
This is a genius writer. The focus on compassion, on creating connections with the characters that are the foundation for engaging stories. Not preaching messages poorly disguised as cinema, but stories first, whose truths are self evident to the audience.
Thank you for a great 2020. I'm always encouraged and inspired by you and by your guests. I don't aspire to the industry but I'm intrigued by the craft so I'm making the following NY resolution. I have an article from an old issue of Writer's Digest, 'Write a Screenplay in Nine Weeks.' So that's what I'm going to do. It won't have to be good. In fact, I expect it will be awful but that's OK. I will make it as bad as it can be. I spoke with a playwright many years ago and he gave me some great advice. After you write your first play put it in your desk drawer and write another. And put that one in the drawer and write another. And so on. I’ll writer every day following the WD template and watch one of your vids every day - which I do anyway - until the day I can truthfully say that I am a (terrible) scriptwriter!
I have been struggling to under theme/central message for months now and just like that , watching this interview made it click! I can't explain it but thanks so much for this interview
I would disagree on Ripley being the smartest and bravest of the whole crew. That's not why it was a great character. She was a great character because she had to develop, learn and adjust as her situation developed. Through a mix of intelligence, bravery, resourcefulness, and luck by her position on the crew to not be at the front and therefore less at risk of being the first to get picked off by the alien, she made it to the end of the movie. What they do now is default to female characters being the smartest and bravest, also the most competent, all without a story or journey to how they got there. And with the obligatory making other male characters unrealistically, within the parameters set up by the story, incompetent.
Thus the gross excess of "Mary Sue" characters. Flaws make characters relatable and give them an arc of growth. People inherently understand ourselves as flawed & need to grow. The modern Hollywood belief is that these college kid writers are already perfect in their beliefs & abilities. They have no doubt in their education or plans. But instead of a character arc, they have turned films into "woke" evangelism.
It's easy to say a lot of positive things that everyone feels like, "Yeah I like that." But they all might interpret it in totally different ways. When they get specific about things they don't like, it draws contrast and is much more actionable advice. Also great questions to push for specifics, like "Why do people care about Ripley?" Or 'What are 3 principles you prioritize?' It makes the conversation go form platitudes to useable advice. It gives you a challenge-check to measure your own story against.
You don't try shoehorn a message through your story , just putting your characters in great trouble is enough as once he overcomes it he would have already learned something,you just need to observe it and write it .
I am a writer as well and it is good to see a philosophy I embody being valued. My book (work in progress) is very different from other texts because I don’t want to go for something mainstream, if I want to be remembered in a good way I need to be bold.
Its so funny. I was born in 1979. When i was a little boy my dad let me watch alot of movies i shouldnt have been watching when i was little. We all have a family story where i watched the chest buster scene in alien and sprinted out of the room like i was usane bolt. My dad still laughs to this day. All that to say that Ellen ripley was one of my favorite characters growing up. She was right there beside my main man indiana jones. When i got a little older and i could make it past the chest buster scene you could see how awesome of a character she was. It had nothing to do with her sex and everything to do with her competency. She was such a favorite of mine ripley and Sigourney weaver were the same person. So when i watched "gorillas in the mist" i was upset at the end of that movie because i thought ripley died. 🤣🤣🤣 I was young. But your guest is right, character is everything. Its the PEOPLE that go through the situation we care about.
I see Spider-Man 4 was cancelled I'm so happy Now I get to write my rated R version with hydro and mr.sinister craven the hunter intro Spider-woman. Blood guts sex violence action no don't no Disney f ing rated R. I'm 52 I've been writing since 92 everything I turned in they've watered down not this time
I agree 100% wirh the message here, but why then do refurbished stories, such as the "new" Ghostbusters or Spider-Man movies do so well at the box office? We saw battles against Zuul and Doc Ock before, right?
I just feel like every video on this channel is the same. IMO once you get the basic idea (structure, conflict,events/situations) on writing a book or a script, you're on your own and you don't need help from literally anyone to start writing and finish it .
@Mr Glass I'm currently writing a book and a script , and none of these videos have helped me add or change anything for good or bad, in any of my work. I'm just curious to know how did you make use of any of the tips shared here.
Disagree about the Alien franchise, as the care Ripley showed for the surviving little girl felt like a contrived plot device to me, and I can't even recall any scenes that stuck out many decades later.
Ripley went through a traumatising experience, seeing the crew of her ship being picked off one by one, betrayed by the corporation, and considered expendable, and having to use her wits to stay alive. In the girl, she sees someone who did the same thing - struggling alone while everyone around her died. Along with the survival instinct, the maternal/paternal instinct is very strong. If you think about Alien and similar horror/sci-fi (even though Aliens is more action-sci-fi) it is usually about a fundamental drive for survival. In Ripley showing compassion for an orphaned girl, it emphasises how different her worldview is from the corporation and Burke, who view people as expendable. Given that they wanted to switch the plot from a single Alien on a ship, to a group trapped on a planet with hundreds of aliens, they had to answer the question of how those aliens were 'born', hence we have a queen, and we need a survivor to introduce us to the world and provide exposition (the girl). And of course the idea that the military get ripped apart for their arrogance, while smart and resourceful individuals can survive. I don't see this as a "contrived plot device". It's more like; the entire idea of the movie. Ripley as a mother figure, born again with a new role, after being in hypersleep, forms a bond of a shared traumatic experience. She sees a future with Newt, at a time when she was plagued with PTSD, nightmares, working a shitty job because she can't be a pilot anymore. Another way to look at it, is she sees a chance to rescue that girl, in the way there was no one to rescue her - and if she can save that girl, she can save herself. I think they did a good enough job of setting up why Ripley went on the mission and the way she was suffering. Newt also validates her experience, when the corporation basically refuted everything she said. If she could get Newt off world, it would represent more evidence that people can't ignore or hide away. It would help to expose the corporation, and prevent other people going through similarly horrible experiences (or that is what she might tell herself). Is it contrived that the survivor is a child young enough to be Ripley's child? Possibly. But if you look in context of what happened to Ripley and how that made her feel - not to mention being alienated in a world decades in the future and missing the life she was living before, it makes perfect sense that she immediately forms an attachment with this girl. Remember the ship in Alien has a computer system called 'Mother', and the traumatic way in which the aliens impregnate and are 'born'. Not to mention their first encounter in the first movie is a large space full of eggs. I would say motherhood is all over the first two movies.
@@southlondon86 The original Alien was an amazing concept, with the parasite "impregnating" John Hurt as the incubator for an alien life who we learned to our horror woild die as the life prepared to burst out if his belly. The Alien queen and her warriors were definitely a frightening creations, but I guess I found the mystery and novelty of the first Alien film more interesting. The fight between the Quueb and Ripley in an exo-suit was engaging but for me not enthralling nor that memorable, maybe because Ripley came across to bold and brave and didn't show enough fear which would have needed to be overcome, and resulted in a greater triumph ar tge end? (imo)
As a comic artist/writer this channel has help me alot in my comic writing .Well done to the people behind this channel .Happy Holidays.
Fellow comic creator here! My name is also Mark. Good luck out there bro! Let’s get in touch and talk comics some time
I too am a comic artist and writer. In your area have u ever joined a group or used meetup for interacting with others to ask for assistance or vice versa? I find it useful to bounce ideas off of other ppl. Just curious. Good luck out there.
Nice, seems I’ve found my people! I am also a comic writer/artist, let’s all talk 😁 I’d love some like minds
This channel is literally film school
Thanks Kevin, hope you find a lot of stuff here you can put to use.
I know it's insane man I've learnt soo much
"Hollywood is wherever you're creating something that has meaning, something that you gave it your really best effort." - Love that! I'll take that line with me wherever I'm working on my Sci-Fi scripts. (BC at the moment) - Thank you, Film Courage. What would we do without your channel. Happy New Year and nothing but the most amazing GROWTH MINDSET for everyone in 2022.
I love that he's pointing out that the most important thing is good characters and good story...and "the message" comes after. This year Hollywood has double down on "the message"... and the ONE FILM that didn't do "the message" and just tried to tell a good story is being rewarded with a 1 billion dollar box office... probably 1.5 to 2 billion by the time it's done.
I'm talking about No Way Home, of course.
No Way Home gets some help from recycling older stories though, so it’s not just the film itself. You feel for the characters because you’ve known them for your whole life.
@@nicklaslouie5693 True... but the same applies for print media. A single Manga, Demon Slayer, outsold the entire US comic book industry... by 10. Meaning this single Manga sold 10 copies for every 1 copy of every other US comic book out there combined... and it's because Manga isn't constrained by "the message"... it exists to tell good stories.
It still has racist Electro...
It's the current 'Inception' effect big films are searching for. 5 punchlines/Story Arcs in one short sequence, offering a 2 hour layered rush of sudden multiple plot comprehension near the end of the film. One big twist isn't enough for modern audiences.
@@Сайтамен You have got to be kidding me. What was racist about Electro? XD
There is a difference between a message that tries to hammer down in a one dimensional POV, and a writer with something to say eg theme. A character has a need or a want that we all want and need in a universal sense. If your story has nothing, then it's empty and that will give you empty seats. Entertainment means to engage, not just deliver popcorn and candy.
This is a genius writer. The focus on compassion, on creating connections with the characters that are the foundation for engaging stories. Not preaching messages poorly disguised as cinema, but stories first, whose truths are self evident to the audience.
Love this channel.
Cheers Remya Tempest!
„I’m not here to write stories I heard a million times before.” It works with Marvel though.
Thank you for a great 2020. I'm always encouraged and inspired by you and by your guests. I don't aspire to the industry but I'm intrigued by the craft so I'm making the following NY resolution. I have an article from an old issue of Writer's Digest, 'Write a Screenplay in Nine Weeks.' So that's what I'm going to do. It won't have to be good. In fact, I expect it will be awful but that's OK. I will make it as bad as it can be. I spoke with a playwright many years ago and he gave me some great advice. After you write your first play put it in your desk drawer and write another. And put that one in the drawer and write another. And so on. I’ll writer every day following the WD template and watch one of your vids every day - which I do anyway - until the day I can truthfully say that I am a (terrible) scriptwriter!
“You know it's a message film if the lights come up and everyone's gone." XD
Huh, I actually got a lot of very specific ideas from hearing this advice, sometimes opening one door can open up a hallway of doors.
I have been struggling to under theme/central message for months now and just like that , watching this interview made it click! I can't explain it but thanks so much for this interview
Glad it was helpful! Keep creating!
I would disagree on Ripley being the smartest and bravest of the whole crew. That's not why it was a great character. She was a great character because she had to develop, learn and adjust as her situation developed. Through a mix of intelligence, bravery, resourcefulness, and luck by her position on the crew to not be at the front and therefore less at risk of being the first to get picked off by the alien, she made it to the end of the movie.
What they do now is default to female characters being the smartest and bravest, also the most competent, all without a story or journey to how they got there. And with the obligatory making other male characters unrealistically, within the parameters set up by the story, incompetent.
Thus the gross excess of "Mary Sue" characters. Flaws make characters relatable and give them an arc of growth. People inherently understand ourselves as flawed & need to grow.
The modern Hollywood belief is that these college kid writers are already perfect in their beliefs & abilities. They have no doubt in their education or plans. But instead of a character arc, they have turned films into "woke" evangelism.
@DEZZNUTZ 1001 yep. They continue to screw up the Predator franchise.
What do you like about this video?
Everything😍
Positive, truthful,…you immediately know he cares about his work and sharing the experience 👍
I love how positive and excited he is
It's easy to say a lot of positive things that everyone feels like, "Yeah I like that." But they all might interpret it in totally different ways. When they get specific about things they don't like, it draws contrast and is much more actionable advice. Also great questions to push for specifics, like "Why do people care about Ripley?" Or 'What are 3 principles you prioritize?' It makes the conversation go form platitudes to useable advice. It gives you a challenge-check to measure your own story against.
5:58 OMFG, IM IN THAT HIGH SCHOOL NOW, I remember watching it back in the news when I was in 7th grade, but I totally forgot about it til now
Another amazing video💎💎💎💎💎
What a refreshing interview. Thank you
Love this channel
You don't try shoehorn a message through your story , just putting your characters in great trouble is enough as once he overcomes it he would have already learned something,you just need to observe it and write it .
I am a writer as well and it is good to see a philosophy I embody being valued. My book (work in progress) is very different from other texts because I don’t want to go for something mainstream, if I want to be remembered in a good way I need to be bold.
I heard about Sigourney coming out for the Alien play in Jersey. Such a class act. A true legend. Is there a link to the play Marc recorded?
I found one of them on his RUclips channel - ruclips.net/video/T3xgnZ7BJ50/видео.html
Perfect! You beat us to it. We have the link in the description but we were just going add it here for you.
Its so funny. I was born in 1979. When i was a little boy my dad let me watch alot of movies i shouldnt have been watching when i was little. We all have a family story where i watched the chest buster scene in alien and sprinted out of the room like i was usane bolt. My dad still laughs to this day. All that to say that Ellen ripley was one of my favorite characters growing up. She was right there beside my main man indiana jones. When i got a little older and i could make it past the chest buster scene you could see how awesome of a character she was. It had nothing to do with her sex and everything to do with her competency. She was such a favorite of mine ripley and Sigourney weaver were the same person. So when i watched "gorillas in the mist" i was upset at the end of that movie because i thought ripley died. 🤣🤣🤣 I was young. But your guest is right, character is everything. Its the PEOPLE that go through the situation we care about.
Thanks!
Waynard! Thank you again for supporting this channel! Marc offers us all a message of hope. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Those are brilliant rules.
I see Spider-Man 4 was cancelled I'm so happy
Now I get to write my rated R version with hydro and mr.sinister craven the hunter intro Spider-woman. Blood guts sex violence action no don't no Disney f ing rated R. I'm 52 I've been writing since 92 everything I turned in they've watered down not this time
I agree 100% wirh the message here, but why then do refurbished stories, such as the "new" Ghostbusters or Spider-Man movies do so well at the box office? We saw battles against Zuul and Doc Ock before, right?
Can we have more Chris Gore???
Hi Rafa, here you go - ruclips.net/video/zKb5HN4uZxA/видео.html
@@filmcourage Thanks!!! But I meant new content.
Have you visited his channel - ruclips.net/user/FilmThreat A lot of new Chris Gore content there.
@@filmcourage Thanks again.
My response to the title; then why do they keep getting made?
Sounds like you should write the same story with a fresh twist.
Laziness and Money
Coming soon - Bronze Age cave man super genius
I just feel like every video on this channel is the same. IMO once you get the basic idea (structure, conflict,events/situations) on writing a book or a script, you're on your own and you don't need help from literally anyone to start writing and finish it .
The ques are the same is the issue
@Mr Glass I'm currently writing a book and a script , and none of these videos have helped me add or change anything for good or bad, in any of my work. I'm just curious to know how did you make use of any of the tips shared here.
Disagree about the Alien franchise, as the care Ripley showed for the surviving little girl felt like a contrived plot device to me, and I can't even recall any scenes that stuck out many decades later.
Not even the Alien Queen? The nest/final fight? Or the scene when they realize the aliens are approaching from above them?
Ripley went through a traumatising experience, seeing the crew of her ship being picked off one by one, betrayed by the corporation, and considered expendable, and having to use her wits to stay alive. In the girl, she sees someone who did the same thing - struggling alone while everyone around her died. Along with the survival instinct, the maternal/paternal instinct is very strong. If you think about Alien and similar horror/sci-fi (even though Aliens is more action-sci-fi) it is usually about a fundamental drive for survival. In Ripley showing compassion for an orphaned girl, it emphasises how different her worldview is from the corporation and Burke, who view people as expendable.
Given that they wanted to switch the plot from a single Alien on a ship, to a group trapped on a planet with hundreds of aliens, they had to answer the question of how those aliens were 'born', hence we have a queen, and we need a survivor to introduce us to the world and provide exposition (the girl). And of course the idea that the military get ripped apart for their arrogance, while smart and resourceful individuals can survive. I don't see this as a "contrived plot device". It's more like; the entire idea of the movie. Ripley as a mother figure, born again with a new role, after being in hypersleep, forms a bond of a shared traumatic experience. She sees a future with Newt, at a time when she was plagued with PTSD, nightmares, working a shitty job because she can't be a pilot anymore. Another way to look at it, is she sees a chance to rescue that girl, in the way there was no one to rescue her - and if she can save that girl, she can save herself. I think they did a good enough job of setting up why Ripley went on the mission and the way she was suffering. Newt also validates her experience, when the corporation basically refuted everything she said. If she could get Newt off world, it would represent more evidence that people can't ignore or hide away. It would help to expose the corporation, and prevent other people going through similarly horrible experiences (or that is what she might tell herself). Is it contrived that the survivor is a child young enough to be Ripley's child? Possibly. But if you look in context of what happened to Ripley and how that made her feel - not to mention being alienated in a world decades in the future and missing the life she was living before, it makes perfect sense that she immediately forms an attachment with this girl.
Remember the ship in Alien has a computer system called 'Mother', and the traumatic way in which the aliens impregnate and are 'born'. Not to mention their first encounter in the first movie is a large space full of eggs. I would say motherhood is all over the first two movies.
She care for the girl because she lost her daughter
@@southlondon86 The original Alien was an amazing concept, with the parasite "impregnating" John Hurt as the incubator for an alien life who we learned to our horror woild die as the life prepared to burst out if his belly.
The Alien queen and her warriors were definitely a frightening creations, but I guess I found the mystery and novelty of the first Alien film more interesting.
The fight between the Quueb and Ripley in an exo-suit was engaging but for me not enthralling nor that memorable, maybe because Ripley came across to bold and brave and didn't show enough fear which would have needed to be overcome, and resulted in a greater triumph ar tge end? (imo)
@@rhineriversurf5594 true...
✨✌️🤩✌️✨