Glenn your tips are such sound solutions to writers often stuck. I feel your channel is the master class I always wanted on storytelling. So generous of you to do this consistently for free ❤
Great video Glenn! I have to let you know that exactly at 1:52, right after you said "Another red flag question you can ask yourself is -", the video cut to an ad which began "Are your children in grades seven through twelve?" The absurdity gave me a chuckle. Given the fact that most ads start with a question, I can only hope it cuts at that same moment for all (non-premium) watchers, so that many can enjoy a bit of cosmic humor.
You know what I like in your videos? You have always the right answers/solutions to questions I wasn't able to ask and for problems I couldn't name. So, again: thank you for your authentic and helpfull content.
Right before I want to write my first draft my new project. Thanks for the tips. Question; have you ever make a video about how to write first scene to grab the audience attention?
Thanks Glenn, it's quite challenging to think about writing as just the scriptwriter, and not the director and editor, etc! I really appreciate your advice on what's cool to include, and what's potentially superfluous.
Amazing tip about not limiting reaction shots to main characters. They also seem like a great "shortcut" for developing minor characters. One reaction can be enough to let the audience infer what a person believes and thinks, whithout the need for them to say it out loud.
Thank you, again, Glen. Action shots...! So showing a character interact with others tips off the reader/viewer regarding his/her character ... Very useful!!!
@@writingforscreens Yes, it is. I'm using your lessons for the revisions of my novel. Also very useful was: try to patch with what you already have and make every patch a dramatic event.
I am really loving this channel. I have just started writing novels and before I found you I always pictured what kind of movie I would love to see and then how to make a book that is 100X better than the movie (I guess basically backwards from how it usually flows!). You are so clear and organized in your instruction and it is helping me out A LOT - thank you!
Thanks for the video, Glenn! But I think 'reaction' shots deserves a bit more - I absolutely love seeing them in movies, but really struggle with how to write them. 'Reaction shot' like you say, is not the way to go. However 'Joe sits there having emotions' isn't much better, but 'Joe sits there looking furious' seems to slip over into telling the actors how to act, which is also a no no. Maybe one for the next AM(A)A when you go back to live streams? And congrats on the channel growth, the subscriber count is starting to get big!
Thanks! I think the short, unsatisfying answer is: try out different ways and find your voice. Often you DO just say, "Joe sits there looking furious"...just say it better. Joe glares, silent. Joe looks away, trying to contain his anger. Joe is pissed. Joe considers throwing his coffee mug, but resists. Joe says nothing, but everyone feels the threat radiating from him. You can't describe too many reactions - just as you can't describe much of anything in a script. Make them count, in the narrative. Yes, you can imagine every aspect and moment - but that's not what screenwriting is. Screenwriting is staying with the flow of the story, giving everyone the center, so they can do their details.
Two 'little' things? I have to disagree. These two things could not be more important. You've outdone yourself in the quantity of important things to say in 8 minutes. This vid is chock full of important points, and it could not be more brilliant. So many really important things in such a short space of time that I'm overwhelmed-I need to spend time seriously thinking about each point you've made. Thank you for this gift. Now I want to create a printed transcript of these things as a laundry list and paste it to my forehead. I will likely watch this video a dozen times bc I think everything about these two things should be drummed into my head. I will likely revise every scene by prepping myself beforehand with that laundry list. Nonfiction is based on explain, explain, explain. It should be. That's what makes it work. It's easy to get caught up in thinking that explaining is what needs to be done. But fiction is based on the exact opposite of that. Romance writer Terry Odell, one of the few writing gurus who actually know what they are talking about, has this mantra: R.U.E.-resist the urge to explain. That rattling sound you hear is my head nodding vigorously.
Patching - underestimating the audience and second guessing your own writing. Reaction - emphasising emotions to the audience to sell the moment and the character & world. They do kind of belong together as, 'What the audience needs and doesn't need'. Or 'What the audience craves and loathes'.
Basically, it's going to be in the "action lines" as a description - for example: "Jerry frowns as he watches Sarah try to open the booby-trapped box." or "The kids follow him with their eyes, riveted." Or after some dialogue: "The rest of the dancers look at each other, startled." Or "Bill smiles and shakes his head, skeptical." Or: "'Bravo!' Jill raises her glass." ...things like that.
@@tom400iq6ft That too, yes. I just meant that in every scene of that movie they came up with a new problem and solved it on the spot. I was laughing my ass off.
I think the biggest problem of the sequels was trying to mimic the original trilogy, without bringing any genuinely new ideas to the table. It feels mechanical, meaningless and insincere as a result. TROS is just the problems of VII and VIII amplified. And as the saying goes, if your ending doesn't work, the problem is likely the beginning (all mystery box and no imagination or courage).
Thank you for adressing not only the technical parts but the real life writers as living, breathing and feeling humans too! 🫶 The usual "here is the theory, swallow it and if you don't apply it perfectly fast you're not a good author" approach is as informative as it is viciously draining the emotions one needs to feel to express them - to become a good author.
Glenn your tips are such sound solutions to writers often stuck. I feel your channel is the master class I always wanted on storytelling. So generous of you to do this consistently for free ❤
Thank you so much! Comments like this mean the world to me - they are the payoff, truly. Thank you for the support and encouragement.
Excellent points, Glenn. As usual, it's great to see your warmth and positivity in these as well.
Thank you so much!
Great video Glenn!
I have to let you know that exactly at 1:52, right after you said "Another red flag question you can ask yourself is -", the video cut to an ad which began "Are your children in grades seven through twelve?" The absurdity gave me a chuckle.
Given the fact that most ads start with a question, I can only hope it cuts at that same moment for all (non-premium) watchers, so that many can enjoy a bit of cosmic humor.
That's hilarious! I hope it's working that way for others, too!
It’s funny weird! 😂 and that calls for a whole short story in itself…hmmmmm😅!
You know what I like in your videos? You have always the right answers/solutions to questions I wasn't able to ask and for problems I couldn't name. So, again: thank you for your authentic and helpfull content.
Well, that certain is exactly what I'd HOPE to be doing, so thank you for telling me I do!!!
Right before I want to write my first draft my new project. Thanks for the tips.
Question; have you ever make a video about how to write first scene to grab the audience attention?
I have not done something on the topic of first scenes...I'll put that on my things-to-do list, thank you!
As always great tips! ❤ And the Out-Takes are also great 😂
Thanks!!
Thanks Glenn, it's quite challenging to think about writing as just the scriptwriter, and not the director and editor, etc! I really appreciate your advice on what's cool to include, and what's potentially superfluous.
Yes, it's an adjustment to just be the writer, takes a while to get used to that! Thanks.
Brilliant, thank you Glenn. You give such an overwhelmingly encompassing gift in your teaching. PS Nice shirts :))))
Thank you, the pants are usually boring, but the shirts do work don't they :)
So smart and so logical!
Thank you so much.
So glad it's helpful!
Amazing tip about not limiting reaction shots to main characters. They also seem like a great "shortcut" for developing minor characters. One reaction can be enough to let the audience infer what a person believes and thinks, whithout the need for them to say it out loud.
Thanks!
Thank you, again, Glen. Action shots...! So showing a character interact with others tips off the reader/viewer regarding his/her character ... Very useful!!!
So glad it's helpful!
@@writingforscreens Yes, it is. I'm using your lessons for the revisions of my novel. Also very useful was: try to patch with what you already have and make every patch a dramatic event.
I am really loving this channel. I have just started writing novels and before I found you I always pictured what kind of movie I would love to see and then how to make a book that is 100X better than the movie (I guess basically backwards from how it usually flows!). You are so clear and organized in your instruction and it is helping me out A LOT - thank you!
Thank you! I have kind of been thinking the same way, finding book magic and movie magic...just looking for magic :)
Thanks for the video, Glenn! But I think 'reaction' shots deserves a bit more - I absolutely love seeing them in movies, but really struggle with how to write them. 'Reaction shot' like you say, is not the way to go. However 'Joe sits there having emotions' isn't much better, but 'Joe sits there looking furious' seems to slip over into telling the actors how to act, which is also a no no. Maybe one for the next AM(A)A when you go back to live streams?
And congrats on the channel growth, the subscriber count is starting to get big!
Thanks! I think the short, unsatisfying answer is: try out different ways and find your voice. Often you DO just say, "Joe sits there looking furious"...just say it better. Joe glares, silent. Joe looks away, trying to contain his anger. Joe is pissed. Joe considers throwing his coffee mug, but resists. Joe says nothing, but everyone feels the threat radiating from him.
You can't describe too many reactions - just as you can't describe much of anything in a script. Make them count, in the narrative. Yes, you can imagine every aspect and moment - but that's not what screenwriting is. Screenwriting is staying with the flow of the story, giving everyone the center, so they can do their details.
@@writingforscreens Thanks! That's great advice and very helpful.
I agree with all of these great tips.
Dare to write. Enjoy the process. Play with it.
Thank you @Writing For Screens🖋😉
That's the spirit!
Two 'little' things? I have to disagree. These two things could not be more important.
You've outdone yourself in the quantity of important things to say in 8 minutes. This vid is chock full of important points, and it could not be more brilliant. So many really important things in such a short space of time that I'm overwhelmed-I need to spend time seriously thinking about each point you've made. Thank you for this gift.
Now I want to create a printed transcript of these things as a laundry list and paste it to my forehead. I will likely watch this video a dozen times bc I think everything about these two things should be drummed into my head. I will likely revise every scene by prepping myself beforehand with that laundry list.
Nonfiction is based on explain, explain, explain. It should be. That's what makes it work. It's easy to get caught up in thinking that explaining is what needs to be done. But fiction is based on the exact opposite of that.
Romance writer Terry Odell, one of the few writing gurus who actually know what they are talking about, has this mantra: R.U.E.-resist the urge to explain. That rattling sound you hear is my head nodding vigorously.
Wow, thank you so much!
Patching - underestimating the audience and second guessing your own writing.
Reaction - emphasising emotions to the audience to sell the moment and the character & world.
They do kind of belong together as, 'What the audience needs and doesn't need'. Or 'What the audience craves and loathes'.
That would indeed make a good video title! Esp the second one.
Awesome video, and goldilocks-zone intro music volume 🤓👌juuust right
I thought of you as I mixed it!! Thanks!
Thank you for a great advice!
So happy it's useful!
Can you add examples of the character reactions in script form?
Basically, it's going to be in the "action lines" as a description - for example:
"Jerry frowns as he watches Sarah try to open the booby-trapped box."
or
"The kids follow him with their eyes, riveted."
Or after some dialogue:
"The rest of the dancers look at each other, startled."
Or
"Bill smiles and shakes his head, skeptical."
Or:
"'Bravo!' Jill raises her glass."
...things like that.
🙏🙏
The creators of The Rise of Skywalker clearly did not watch this video 😂
more like the creators of the entire sequel trilogy concept 😂
@@tom400iq6ft That too, yes. I just meant that in every scene of that movie they came up with a new problem and solved it on the spot. I was laughing my ass off.
@@JoelAdamson Yep, felt like the movie was written in reverse 😂
I think the biggest problem of the sequels was trying to mimic the original trilogy, without bringing any genuinely new ideas to the table. It feels mechanical, meaningless and insincere as a result. TROS is just the problems of VII and VIII amplified. And as the saying goes, if your ending doesn't work, the problem is likely the beginning (all mystery box and no imagination or courage).
I try not to diss other creators...even if they do make millions of more dollars than I do...:)
Thank you for adressing not only the technical parts but the real life writers as living, breathing and feeling humans too! 🫶 The usual "here is the theory, swallow it and if you don't apply it perfectly fast you're not a good author" approach is as informative as it is viciously draining the emotions one needs to feel to express them - to become a good author.
Thank you so much - I am so glad to know that you got this feeling from my work, it's what I want to convey.