If A Screenwriter Can’t Answer This Question, They Shouldn’t Write The Screenplay
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- Опубликовано: 6 май 2016
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#screenwriting #screenplay #writing 
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Watch William C. Martell's two full video series on RUclips here:
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"How is this MY story? How does this story relate to ME?"
Because otherwise it will be tough, if not impossible to write it. Great video.
@Gary Nelson Facts, you can research or make up. How the characters make the story, that's the hard part.
@Gary Nelson There _is_ no story without character.
@Gary Nelson But is it a _good_ story? If it's not about a character then it's not a story, just a series of events.
@Gary Nelson A series of events is not a story. You really need to pay more attention to these videos telling you how to tell a story.
@Gary Nelson This is RUclips comments; we're all trolls here.
However, I said nothing about the quality of your writing, just that I think you're wrong about the importance of character. And what a story is. You could still be a good writer, a great one even, and still be wrong.
I can't tell if you're a good writer because I haven't read anything by you. But I'm not going to criticise your stories because that's not what we're discussing.
"How does the story relate to me?"
So, a writer has to ask himself the same question each viewer is gonna ask.
Sometimes, logic is easy.
Indeed. Or, in a slightly different way, "Can I see myself in this story?" Take Lord of the Flies, for example. Who couldn't see themselves as a child again, waking up on an island with others, and no adults? If you find yourself thinking of characters in terms of what you would do if you were them, then you're on to something.
I basically already wrote things in that way, often because what I want to write about is something that interests me, of course. - I'm not a professional, so I've never been asked to write about something as an assignment. That makes a big difference as well. - But to me it automatically made sense to think of personal conflict anyway, because that's what engages me in a story. Otherwise there's nothing to put down and you're just pretending to know what you're talking about, resulting in those bad stories and movies that exist out there.
What I'm saying, I guess, is that I personally wrote as an audience-member, apparently. But the same happened for me with music; I play or compose what I want to hear, and things that move me, as a fan of music, not necessarily to just make music for the sake of it. - I just never REALLY realized this before.
@Etta James I think it is. One of the most common (and IMO most misguided) points of praise I hear for characters is that they're "relatable".
@Etta James you've interviewed all audiences?
Plebians: The Lego Movie
Me, an intellectual: *Lego, The Motion Picture*
Lol
Plebians: Plebians
Me, an intellectual: Pleb*e*ians
My favorite movie
*Stop Motion Picture
@Michael Mathers Rtards will always call themselfs intellectuals.
What does the character want, how far will he go to get it, and how far will someone else go to stop him?
Thanks actually. That may help with my writing more
What does the character NEED?
@@MeesdeFilmliefhebber It doesn't matter. Need is generally a subset of want, and if they don't get what they need, they die anyway, so the story is over.
@@greyeyed123 the character most of the time has a personal desire or struggle to achieve/obtain something in life (he or she knows this consciously or not): the want. This is hindered by the flaw in the character. The "need" is the necessary change in character/deed that needs to happen to achieve the want and thus overcoming the character flaw. This can happen in both a postive and negative direction. For me, this absolutely matters in story. I am by no means an expert on this topic, but I am merely stating what I have learned from other writers and experts on this subject.
@@MeesdeFilmliefhebber I am an expert.
Close your eyes, Adam Driver is teaching us about screenwriting
Or Neil deGrasse Tyson
A Little.
@A C Ouch!
Holy shit. I didn't notice that....
@A C don't have to. got a successful filmmaking career in the philippines 😊
Is this the Neil deGrasse Tyson of screenwriting?
Gosh, I've had the very same thought.
Nah, that was Syd Field. Sadly he is no longer with us.
Tyson complete tribe tool, water boy to lies.
Seth Rogan
@@JillRobertsIsmyGF True but at least he gets to the point. I should know better than to fall for a clickbait title.
"Is it a bad idea to take a screenwriting job where you can't find your own story in it?" Absolutely. If there's no personal connection, the film is without merit.
I paused the video and was having a hard time answering the question until I realized just by enjoying writing it, the story becomes MY story. This video helps so much, thank you!
As a creative professional, i can totally relate, stuff you do for money just isn't as great as stuff i actually like doing. Its excruciating to submit work you know didnt have heart in it.
I'm approaching the narrative for the game I'm working on as a screenplay and these videos are immensely helpful. This advice is applicable to all kinds of storytelling media
The movie he pitched about being chained to your enemy while traversing a maze and learning to forgive in the process sounds like an amazing idea. It could still have the horror elements that the producers wanted, while maintaining those heartfelt elements.
Kind of like Enemy Mine
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Dr. Phil have a son
... I’m dead
😆
That story about cuffed enemies got me. Great idea.
The producers he refers to sound like proper psychopaths...
Sarah Ben Amar A good amount are.
"The Torture Porn Producers" 😂
Welcome to Hollywood
6:10 who the fuck offered him the script? Epstein?!
@@John-X probably the same people who like hentia
I like that advice very much because when there is part of you involved in the screenplay, it's going to be honest and sincere and therefore it's going to be deeply appreciated by the audience
"The doorway to the assignment" is my golden rule across all sides of this medium! Great video!
“Screenwriters are tight! But... will you manage to deliver a compelling story for his movie?”
“It’ll be super easy, barely an inconvenience”
Wow wow wow
Wow
His point about needing to find some part of himself in what he’s writing is the exact same thing Bradford Young said he does when he’s deciding what films to shoot
this is applicable to any creative work, find the thing you relate to... about the thing.
How does this guy always have such great advice?
+Justin Kwon
Agreed!
Totally agree. I always begin by searching for stories to which I have a real personal connection. There's has to be in a small way, something in my fictionalized story, that I can relate to, in order to convey real emotions. Thanks, William. FC , always a fan.
I've been subscribed to your channel for years, but have rarely clicked on videos in a while. That's not the fault of your content, I just didn't have any need at the time for information in these videos. But I wanted to stay subscribed because eventually I figured I'd want information in these videos. And now that I'm writing a screenplay, I went to this channel almost immediately and am going to watch a lot of these videos. So, thanks for your fastidious work!
I find most of the writers I meet often don't know the ending and don't have a main theme in mind before writing. They just have ideas of cool scenes or lines they really want to add in. I've approached every screenplay with the ending in mind already, and my themes are present from the start so I can have more nuance in every scene. My recent screenplay had three 8's on the blacklist and just got my representation. I love this industry and hope more people approach their narratives with the same passion. Cheers to Film Courage for this video.
That's true you have to know at least an idea of how it's ending in my opinion. I think I've gone into things not knowing how it's going to end so I have to take a step back and maybe go back to the planning phase. It's a lot but it's for sure an experience! I'm extremely young and just enjoy writing scripts/story's so it's exciting for me to see peoples experiences!
@@aligarcia2428 I commend you for tackling your writing in a mature way. I always think the ending is like the conclusion of your essay. What do u want to leave people with ? I wish most writers knew that when crafting their stories. I hope you always keep your passion for writing and hope to see your name out there making movies or stories one day
I haven’t finished watching this vid but don’t let this video discourage you. Keep writing and get better at your own pace my brothers and sisters 💯🙏🏾❤️you got this 👊🏾
What movie is referring to in his "Taken rip-off" story? It sounds interesting.
hitesh kumar Yeah. I want to know too!
Checked him up and the last movie to credit as a writer is Crooked from 2006, prior to Taken so it seems to me that his ideas for that Finland story weren’t used. To bad since it do sound like it could have been something.
It seems like he has mainly worked on films on a small scale though so maybe it’s not that of a big loss after all.
Could be Equalizer
Hmm
@@DarkRedman31 The Equalizer films with Denzel are based on an 80's TV show. So, it definitely can not be that.
Sounds similar to "write the story for yourself." Esp when he talks about the torture of going back for drafts
for me I've always believed that imagination is the key for every talent in the movie business!
but what do I know I'm still young I could be wrong but right now it makes total sense to me!
bless you for always answering the titular question at the beginning of the video
I love this guy's interviews.
This man has that creative spark for story ideas that I feel I lack. It would be great if screenwriters could be pitched ideas by other writers who don't want to bother doing the writing
This was extremely enlightening. Thank you!
this was actually so helpful! i was stuck with my idea and now i have a better idea how to drive my story
It's true when he says that screen writers isolate themselves when they write. I can totally relate because I always prefer to be alone in the room when I write. It's better that way because I won't get distracted by what's around me and I can really focus on my creativity with the story
That last film Idea was so good ❤️
I just love how he teaches!!! Great advice, Damn Good channel!! ❤
Another great interview. Thank you 🙏
This guy is great. I like to listen to his interviews a lot, I am almost binging on his interviews.
This was really good. I'm going to use this in my book :)
Thanks for the video!
Basically as a writer you also have to have "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" qualities. Nice advice from a Martell.
For my future reference, he says: "To make the story better how does it relate to me, so I can identify with emotions to tell the story better. " "How is this story my story so I can tell this honestly? Otherwise, you have no connection to the story. Then it becomes 'work'. There has to be something in there (aspect of story and/or character) that I can relate to."
I so agree with this. My writing was going nowhere until I started doing this. Took me a long time to figure this out tho.
good video, bad title
+scottl1155 We appreciate your feedback, what would you title the video?
not sure, when I first read the the title it felt like it was saying something in the vein of "If you can't do this you shouldn't be writing" to which I thought you shouldn't never tell people not to write, but now I see that it refers to being honest as a writer when getting hired for projects which is a great message. I just don't want people to feel like aww screw this guy he's going to tell me I shouldn't be writing if I don't do bla bla bla, like in some elitist sort of way
+scottl1155 Well, some people shouldnt be writting though, like the guy who wrote the transformer movies, he only thought "this must look actiony" "this must be funny to teens" "this must be sexy" "fill in"
Transformers was written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, who I think are pretty good at taking the studio notes ie: "must look actiony" and turning them into movies. They certainly get hired a lot, working on things like the Star Trek movies, Amazing Spider-Man 2 and tons of other films. Why don't you take your disdain for the modern blockbuster and channel it somewhere more productive.
scottl1155 Oh well then, Star Trek and ASM2 were good, then they shouldnt have written Transformers because it taints their reputation
Thank you for ur insight
From personal experience, I can say that through all of my own experiences, I can relate to a TON of situations. However, I also have situations I would refuse based on the morals of the film and also whether I agreed with the main character's judgment. I would have to be in agreement, on some level, with the character's findings so I could put myself in their shoes and have them react accordingly.
I literally got rushed with an idea a few months ago in the shower and STILL TO THIS DAY have it in my head, I’ve got scenes in my head, shots, music choices I’ve written down, settings, the ending... and I’ve just I can’t get rid of it, I can’t forget it.
that's so great ! have you started writing?
Manas Karthik no ma’am, as of now I will be focusing on my career as Marine. But I won’t forget it as when I’m done with my service I’ll pop out that sucker
Amazing. All the very best.
Story is inner thing , plot is external thing in one word
Classic example of writing 'what you know'. Quentin Tarantino says the character of 'The Bride' played by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, is based on his experience 'metaphors' surrounding his own experiences
Love his perspective!
Great video!
I LOVED THIS BOOK. IT WAS HARD TO GET!!! I HAVE READ AND READ THIS BOOK. I HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM IT!!!! GET IT!!
Hmmm, how is Ninja Busters my story.....
+NostalgiNorden Too true haha
well, it's a comedy, so i think anything goes in that genre. :)
Hmmm, do you mean Ninja Turtles or Ghostbusters?
Either way, you can make both your story if you really think about it.
Ninja Turtles: a group of brothers and outcasts who must save the city that will reject them. (Anyone can relate to being an outcast and rejected by society)
Ghostbusters: a group of paranormal waste collectors who are underappreciated, underpaid, and undervalued who's job description is to save the world from an apocalypse. (Anyone can relate to being underappreciated in their jobs even when their job are incredibly important.)
I hope, that helps even though I'm four years too late.
@@neosoontoretro he's referring to the movie this guy wrote.
Like his energy. Looking for more vids with him
The title, is a bit, discouraging. How about: What every first time screenwriter should do.
How is it discouraging?
If a video on RUclips discourages you from writing then you shouldn't be writing.
1st time writers, read produced scripts, lots of them, then decide what made one good and another one a chore to read. Then study the craft, learn the rules, don't be reluctant to break one here and there and have an idea for story to tell before you start writing. But you probably know this...
Same. This is a clickbaity title.
Negative titles get more clicks, works every time! And here we are...
He made this so complicated! He talks about what's tasteful to him but every writer is going to say their ideas are tasteful to them. It's more about primal understandings. Everyone will root for an underdog because acceptance in society is understood by any viewer.
I think he has a point. "How is this story, my story? How does it relate to me?"
Martin Scorsese said "it is better to make a movie that feels personal to oneself"
I have a problem accepting a Screenwriting job, where that story was already told. I like ordinary, never been done yet Screenplays to write.
Dr. Phil? Is that you?
Excellent stuff!
Thanks for the comment Bob!
Meaning : *essentially write what you like!*
Everyone who teaches is teaching themselves. If you can connect and learn, it is incidental to your attention, endurance, ability to clarify, and prepare yourself. Great teachers are great storytellers. Storytellers can be great teachers.
He’s brilliant
Ay I applaud this video because I used it for my college English essay
My screenplay "LANDLORD 911" is based on my experience as an Apartment Building(s) owner. It was easy to write. Like breathing. He speaks the truth 100%.
I wish that I did study screenwriting .. i love this kind of thing 😌
100% agree with this man
Damn, I really wanted to see his idea of that story near the end
I think it is, I mean YOU could write something you think is a bad idea, but I like what the speaker said and I'm the same way. If I'm not engaged in what I'm writing, I tend to lose thought, then that turns into procrastination, which turns into 'Why in the hell am I'm writing this again?"....lol. I need to see how I can tell "My story" with in a story I'm writing that usually is fiction anyway...makes sense?
I agree with his general philosophy alot. Hard to avoid people dragging you into stuff you want nothing to do with, but you’ve always got a choice. Big difference between writing something you’re just not into or is maybe hack and stuff you fundamentally disagree with.
Not many writers I suppose with a mouth to feed would put principle over money - good on William.
That remake for Taken sounds so good tbh
omg, this video from 6 years ago changed my life.
I would love to see that story about handcuffed enemies on screen.
The Defiant Ones is what I believe he’s referencing. Old black and white movie, but great.
Helpful for beginners
I was really thinking that it was a problem, cause I could relate too much to what I was writing lol. I actually have to be mindful not to be too personal or similar to my life lol
I like bubbly talkers!
Very good...
He's like Neil Tyson combined with Tarantino
I'd say more Christopher Nolan than Tarantino.
Tarantino head, dr Phil face combo with Neil Tyson
It's hard to rework a script when you're already mostly satisfied with it.
The entire Disney sequel trilogy. This is why J.J. Abrahms' mystery box style doesn't pay off.
Beautiful
What is the name of this Screenwriter being interviewed? And what screenplays has he written?
He is William C. Martell (writer)
Torture porn horror flicks aka: basically every Rob Zombie film.
This is perfect
Thanks
Or an obstacle . Find examples in your high school english books too .
Right .
So...the screenwriters of the Star Wars - sequel trilogy...didn't relate to the story.
They could not find themselves IN the story! None of us did!
You might consider adding who this gentleman is in the caption and in the description
Whats the name of the movie he wrote for about the novelist?
So what was the movie with the novelist?
does this mean that Christopher Nolan is Batman?
shhhhhh
Silent Bob. No, the guy who punched Earl.
mxeknbnr It probably means that Nolan has faced his own demons, which is what Batman really is about.
I believe adaptations are a different thing, but ultimately you have to be passionate about the source material enough to adapt it.
dude has a great voice
This guy makes "MY script", Mike Lindell makes "MY pillow" They are definitely related.
Hmmm the question is TOO specific. I wonder if he actually give the question before hand.
the first 25 seconds is the kernel
'If any of us wanted to do work, we wouldn't be writers' - hahaha xD
Kinda reminds me of Miguel Sandoval
how does it relate to me? its a film that I would have wanted to see
1:59, ”som sagt” in swedish…