How to Write an A24 Screenplay (Writing Advice)
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- How do you write a screenplay in the style of A24? we discuss tips on how to create a screenplay for A24.
#a24, #screenwriting, #writingadvice
We use examples from many of A24s movies including Green Room, Under the Skin, Eight Grade, Mid-Nineties, Moonlight, Ladybird, The Florida Project, Midsommar, Pearl and more... 
Развлечения
1. Create an atypical protagonist
2. Make the stakes personal.
3. Write about desperate people.
4. Go to extremes.
5. Use setting as a character
6. Keep it contained.
7. Don't write for everyone.
All very useful tips! DEFINITELY using these in my other projects. :D
Thanks!
you forgot to be pretentious at every single step
That’s literally EVERY great screenplay ever made long before A24 even formed in 2012!
I think it's worth noting that A24 mostly is a distributor. Lady bird, Ex Machina, The Florida Project, and a slew of their other best movies were made by other companies and producers, A24 just picked up the domestic distribution rights.
That used to be true, but they transitioned into producing. EEAAO, Civil War, Beau is Afraid, etc. All were initiated and produced by A24.
@@catharsismachine used to be? It is true... yes, they do produce, but what they said IS TRUE...
@@catharsismachine They didn't do Civil War either, it's been through DNA Films, like all of Garland's other films. A24 is great, but what makes them work so well is they let the directors and producers do their thing with a promising script.
Sorry if my tone seems hostile, by the way. I think I just need coffee. Great vid!
sorry, but it not correct, They used to be mostly a distributor, now they are mostly a production company. But other than that I agree with most of what is said.
If you want a list of what they distributed vs produced, Wikipedia lays it out, and just about everything from the last 3-4 years was produced by A24.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_A24_films
@@multigeekmedia No, I don't mind slight disagreements or corrections. And You didn't seem hostile at all. Thanks. But yeah, even with what they dsitribiute, there does seem to be a pattern of what they are attracted to, and that is something that a writer could use to create their script
Unfortunately, studios don't trust original screenplays. That mindset is why A24 movies are kinda bringing back the "independent film" movement that was popular in the 90s. I love this distributor!!
Yes. they really do remind me of the 90s movies. they have that same bold creativity. Thanks!
A24 feels slow-burn, and well pronounced with each take. Most movies rely heavily on CGI, while A24 is more so on practical effects and more emotionally-driven plots that get you invested. The style varies, but we all know they're always stunning to look at. The best quality imaginable.
Yes, definitely the style fits in too. I love A24
Under the Silver Lake is riveting and holds up when watched again. The only slow scene is the holy man with his women
when contrasted with the one of the pianist who owned one of Kurt Cobain's guitars. The dog subplot is also good.
Yeah, I really loved this movie. it's sort of the movie A24 abandoned for some reason, but it really is a lot of fun.
I'll be rewatching and subscribing. Thanks for helping me out.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. Great advices.
Glad it was helpful!
there seem to be mixed feelings about this video but i really enjoyed it and i think there was sufficient evidence to back up the steps, even if A24 is "just a distributor." nicely done!
Thanks! And there is always gonna be some people who disagree or don't like it, and that's cool, because any comment helps RUclips find your video . (It's also okay to disagree, my ego can take it)
EXCELLENT VIDEO.... "BRAVO"
I have written a "PLAY" for my Acting Academy (very small Acting Academy)...
we do Mystery Dinner Theatre...
But the Manuscript/Play/Script is more about where it is set
(In New Mexico 1959) ... just as much as the characters themselves, so I appreciate you saying that the setting is as important as any character.
And... if the truth be known... My Antagonist and Protagonist can be more than one person at one time... very intriguing... unexpected, and mysterious.
I really liked you video...
First time seeing one of your videos but surely not the last video.
Thank you! Appreciate it
Really well made video. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Brilliant analysis.
Thanks!
This was an awesome watch
Thanks!
Fantastic stuff!
Many thanks!
I love discovering a person who will definitely be successful in their early days.
Thanks! Great comment
I initially thought Late Night With The Devil was an A24 production. Such is their brand recognition.
Yes, it did have a weird feel that seemed like something A24 would do.
I'm not sure why you had to tell me all these things for me to see them, but I'm glad you did. P. S. I love Marty.
Thanks!
Thanks!
No problem!
Great video! But I disagree slightly with your point about making the stakes personal. Every good film has high stakes in it, whether that's saving the world or passing your driving test. A24 films don't necessarily personalise the stakes, instead they show what high stakes are in different contexts. So very close to what you were saying, but A24 films don't depart from the rule of high stakes, they merely interpret this rule broadly!
Semantics, basically.
Fair enough! Yes, I can see that angle. My point is some folks can take the note of High Stakes in the wrong direction by thinking it means everything must be world-ending. but even when A24 has high stakes, they still work to make the stakes personal
Nice
Thanks!
this is such a surface-level understanding of screenwriting. you're applying auteur theory to a production studio; it's all about the freeflowing expression of creativity
Nah, that's not what I'm saying. I'm trying to recognize common qualities that might attract A24 to take on a movie. The auteur theory can't be placed on a studio, because there is no one vision, But you can recognize patterns and try to figure out "why do I love so many of these movies?"
@@catharsismachine what do you mean by it can’t be placed on a studio?
@@SuperJoMario64 I mean the auteur theory can't be used to describe a studio, It can only be used to describe a person
@@catharsismachineI agree with you. This isn't saying that these are studio mandates by A24, just common patterns when you look through their catalog.
It is quite fun because the majority of the stated points here applies to Latin American cinema. I am a Colombian filmmaker and believe me, the personal stakes, desperate people, contained and low budgets, set as characters and short public are the core of our cinematography. So, maybe A24 should expand their view outside the Anglo American market, and probably will found a lot of A24 style scripts, LOL.
Yes, I can see that. Some of the greatest filmmakers in recent years have come from Latin American cinema (Inarritu, Cuaron, Gaspar Noe -- to name a few)
I'm the 2000th like-er. Unless someone liked and disliked before. I'm the current recognized 2000ty like. I will now proceed to write a script that follows your prescription, that will make me moderately famous.
I'm curious to know why didn't you mention or show clips from Hereditary especially since you stated you're into horror.
Good point. I do love Hereditary. I think there was too many film to talk about. I did do a whole video on Ari Aster where I talk about Hereditary a lot.
@@catharsismachine Fair enough. I'll look that one up.
a24 isn’t a “company that makes films,” it’s a distributor that distributes films. filmmakers make films
Not true. A24 is a distributor AND A PRODUCTION COMPANY. Which means, they produce films. They were once a distributor, so your statement was true 8 years ago, but most current A24 films were produced by A24.
They bought talk to me after it was already made so yeah they did not “produce it”.
If one should not try to make a movie for everyone, how to reconcile this statement with the existence of works like "Avatar: the last airbender", which is praised for having been made for all audiences? Which path is right? Whose footsteps should I try to follow?
It is a good question--and the answer is, depends on what audience you are going for. If you are trying to make a 300 million dollar fantasy/ action epic or a kids animated movie, then you need to please a wide audience. But if you are trying to make a 15 million or less movie, you don't have to please everyone. In fact, if you try, you might not really please anyone.
For example: The VVitch is a weird slow horror movie that not many people would like, but those who loved it, loved it, and so it made money and is considered a success.
@@catharsismachine It seems relieving. As the majority of people, I won't have access to any big amounts of money. And small budget, as you say, comes with a need to concentrate on a specific audience. Which sounds easier than taking into consideration all possible audiences. So...two more accessible things vs. two less accessible things 🤨 ? Suspicious, life tends to be the opposite of easy.
Saying A24 created these films is like saying the Louvre created the masterpieces it holds. Give credit to the minds of the creators and then give credit to A24 for its ability to curate an iconic catalog. Great writing advice though! It really applies more to just making a unique film in general and not one that applies to just one studio. there are many many more films outside of A24 that fit the format and some within A24 that do not.
Sure. I never said A24 created the movies. The idea is : how can a writer recognize the common elements/ qualities in an A24 screenplay in order to better understand how to write something that would fit the bill. Yeah, a lot of Neon films fit the A24 style as well,
@@catharsismachine “How to Write an A24 Screenplay (Writing Advice)” … it’s a good video but the only issue would be fixed with a title like “Analyzing Writing Tropes in A24 Produced Films” so your not just giving creativity credit to the production studio right off the bat instead of to the individual writers like they deserve.
When writers say “High stakes”, they mean High stakes for the character… which does NOT mean high stakes for the world, galaxy, universe or reality.
Right, but some people studying how to write may misinterpret it, which is why my clarification is there.
6:03
All hail Marty
Poor Things definitely fit into A24 movies
Yes, it is suprising it wasn't. as almost all the director's other movies were A24
originally
Nice video. More of A24's style than writing advice.
Here's my writing advice:
Don't write for an audience. Don't write for A24. Don't write for anyone but you. Find your voice. Only think of your characters and being authentically YOU. Don't think about money, studios, streamers, A24 or other indies, stars, fame, awards, none of it. Then, and ONLY THEN, will you succeed and attract all the attention in the world and get your stories told. Focus on your craft. Write your story, apply for development grants (there are a ton of them worldwide), build relationships, grow your network, find producing partners, get to work.
Final business advice for writers: learn the BUSINESS of film & TV. Study film finance & distribution. All the resources you need are online and free.
Give 'em hell.
Excellent advice
I have several scripts that fit the brand of A24.
Very nice
Opening argument: big budget movies keep flopping because no one know how to make movies…
Meanwhile A24 movies almost never make their budget back.
That's not true at all. Here are the numbers:
www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/theatrical-distributors/a24
@@catharsismachine the chart in the link leaves out the films budgets. I don’t want to be that person but…
Civil War - 50million plus plus advertising gross total 110million
Green knight - 15million budget plus advertising 18 million gross
Bue is afraid 35million plus advertising 10 million gross.
To name a few. There will always be expectations to the rule but I think it’s important to not over inflate the strength of a studio simply because it appeals to cinefiles and art house lovers. A24 has had several movies flop with budgets that had no reason being that high. The A24 formula is not a successful one. In fact, their most successful movie, EEAAO , quite literally was a response to all the marvel multiverse content out there.
@@andrewjames8792 If you cherry pick the two biggest failures, sure (Beau is Afraid was a huge flop). What about Hereditary? Midsommar? Talk to Me? Moonlight?Whale? ladybird? Room? Witch? etc, etc. Civil War is a success. I didn't even like it, but it is a success
@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal civil war is not a financial success. The movie hasn’t even broke even. The movies you mentioned were not produced in house. Those movies were acquired by A24.
The problem is how to send a script to A24
Yes, Truth. Unfortunately, Hollywood makes it very difficult to get through the door. Contests like the Austin Film Fest are trying to create inroads for people outside the system, but they should do something to make it easier.
Be original. There.😂
I don’t think you know what high stakes means…
Can we stop with this “how to get the a24 look” “how to write a a24 screenplay”. It’s a studio for goodness sake. I might as well just “learn how to write a Warner Bros script” yeah that makes a lot of sense
Nope
it boils down to - do something new - sheeeeeiiiit
Sure. I hope it's a little more complex than that, but that'll work
@@catharsismachinefan from india
i fucking hate A24, pretentious bunch
nobody liked The Zone of Interest in the theatre
horrible film
I guess this video is not for you then.
@@catharsismachine it wasnr directed at your work i didnt mean to hate
@@MightyEFX I don't mind. I thought it was funny, And yeah, you didn't direct it toward me. Ill admit, I don't agree, I love A24. Haven't seen Zone of Interest. I don't love all of their movies, for instance: I was really disappointed in Civil War
1. The Zone of Interest is a masterpiece
2. Movies are art.
3. Please watch more movies.
My book, I’m base of of this production