1) Establish Tone 2) Have Multiple Antagonists 3) Establish Genre 4) Use Misdirection 5) Superpowers Have A Cost 6) Create Contrast 7) Love Triangles 8) Use A Theme 9) Be Nostalgic 10) Unite Plot Lines 11) Cliffhanger
This video prompted me to rewatch Season 1 (hadn't seen since it came out), and it is very impressive how tight the writing is. Basically every scene in the show is simultaneously advancing the story (raising new questions, giving some limited answers) and developing character. It's very hard to stop watching. Even the "love triangle" is really well done. So thanks for this and for providing such excellent content generally on your channel.
I wouldn't call this technique "use red shirts". From a Red Shirt you expect to die soon, you never expect a Red Shirt who accompanies Kirk, Spock and the Doc to really be a part of the plot in the first place. But from a character like Barb, you do. As you mentioned, writers go for an emotional impact here, which is a clever thing to do, while a "red shirt" is really just a filler with no depth (like that guy in the very first scene of A Game of Thrones), imho. Anyway, great video (again)! :)
Yeah, the typical red shirt would be the scientist guy in the beginning of the first episode. But even though Barb is a minor character, she's still fulfilling the role of "character-death-that-ups-the-stakes". So I lumped her in with that scientist dude.
@@StarlasAikoTo me, it looks like Barbara was not fridged. She had a lasting impact and was brought up again and again, not by only a main character, but by the community. Her death had a real impact on the story beyond inciting action out of revenge, which played a part, but wasn't the entirety of it. Fridging victims don't tend to be remembered outside the context of their death/destruction inciting action in the associated main character, which would be Nancy in this case(but it'd usually be a love interest, which isn't the case here either).
I've seen "character who's treated like a main character whose main purpose is to die for drama" be called a Sacrificial Lion before, like Boromir from LotR
Great video. Listing the multiple antagonists that way made me realize a good strategy is antagonists presenting different kinds of conflict. The demigorgon is almost like a force of nature. Other antagonists are mostly personal man to man antagonists. Others are social enemies with different tiers of social power posing different challenges. An antagonist could confront personal weaknesses too, or different antagonists could pose different forms of internal conflict. A great example of merging plotlines is Fallout. Going into E8 it seems like there's no way they can resolve everything in a single episode. But everything is so connected that the whole plot resolves like a magic trick. And the different characters' pieces of the puzzle give different perspectives on the conflicts to enrich the audience's understanding. Arcane is some peak writing too.
Appreciate this video. There is much to learn from effective screen writing like Stranger Things. To me it doesn't matter what sources you reference, TV, Cinema or Literature, if they help improve my writing. Keep up the great work.
I don't hate love triangles explicitly, but it is refreshing to see a love triangle that isn't centered on a single protagonist. And it helps that it's done well, where the two ends of the triangle aren't sitting around wondering who the third one will pick.
Yes!! Love triangles. A love triangle done well can provide SO much about character devlopment and find a way to showcase other underlying "decisions" that a character is making, such as choosing the good/bad side, a type of lifestyle, etc. Those love interests can embody so much more than just being hotties! And as much as people say they hate them, look at the shows and books that are popular. A lot of them have them.
I’ve made a whole powerpoint presentation about the brilliance of the writing in Stranger Things season 1 (and the pitfalls of the following seasons), I think it’s amazing television
Hey, could you do a video over dramatic timing? In Stranger Things and other TV shows they are really good at using other story lines to heighten the others and stopping when something goes wrong. I struggle with it in my own writing and im sure others do to.
I’m not sure “theme” is the right word. Motif, maybe? Sort of like a collection of writing tips that all build off a certain piece of media? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, motorcycles are a motif, and Quality is a theme - themes are more abstract.
Do red shirts still tend to work well if they're mentioned but not shown dying? When using multiple antagonists, is it OK to have their "plots" overlap, or is it much better to have one antagonist established and resolved/defeated, before showing the next, and so on? Also, about multiple antagonists, is it OK if the main one is grayer/less evil, than one that is less important and defeated earlier? Thanks in advance. This video was very encouraging, because it fit my concept quite thoroughly.
Just trying some stuff out. I think storytelling can be learned from a variety of mediums, and wanted to try to focus on a popular TV show. If people don't love it I can return to the regular programming.
@@Bookfox I really liked the video myself, but I was expecting you to illustrate #6 - contrast with an actual book example. You said “I’ve read books” that do it, vaguely described what they did, but showed no actual text.
@Bookfox I actually really like it! As a writer who struggles the most with structure more-so than crafting individual scenes, I think films / TV are great at helping me understand big-picture storytelling without getting distracted by prose. Obviously, I want to learn from books too, but TV shouldn’t be discounted either. Thanks so much! Really enjoyed this video :)
I know it's not the point of the video, but so glad there was justice for Steve Harrington by the end of it lmao. He really has redeemed himself, and when I rewatch Stranger Things I find that he's not even that bad of a character to begin with. I think it's really interesting how the show writers frame him has such a d-bag while Jonathan gets let off the hook despite taking creepy photos. Kind of shows the amount of influencing power writers have.
I won a yearly subscription to bookfox 3 months ago. Everytime i write my email in a comment UA-cam deletes it n now, when i click on your comments i cant reply. I want to redeem my prize.
Pease, DON'T DO love triangles. Just stop. It is overused to the point that it is unbearable. The only feeling I have as a reader is "oh fk no, not this sht again", and i am going to skip through pages in a search of an actual plot.
I think it can be like that with every trope. But I personally just love it when creators use overused tropes and give it a new spin. That is what storytelling is about. Not always inventing new things, but doing the old thing in your unique way
Don't steal anything from Stranger Things. It's terrible writing by people who weren't even alive in the mid-80s. How many middle aged mothers were saying "No duh" in 1984? None!
1) Establish Tone
2) Have Multiple Antagonists
3) Establish Genre
4) Use Misdirection
5) Superpowers Have A Cost
6) Create Contrast
7) Love Triangles
8) Use A Theme
9) Be Nostalgic
10) Unite Plot Lines
11) Cliffhanger
This video prompted me to rewatch Season 1 (hadn't seen since it came out), and it is very impressive how tight the writing is. Basically every scene in the show is simultaneously advancing the story (raising new questions, giving some limited answers) and developing character. It's very hard to stop watching. Even the "love triangle" is really well done. So thanks for this and for providing such excellent content generally on your channel.
I wouldn't call this technique "use red shirts". From a Red Shirt you expect to die soon, you never expect a Red Shirt who accompanies Kirk, Spock and the Doc to really be a part of the plot in the first place. But from a character like Barb, you do. As you mentioned, writers go for an emotional impact here, which is a clever thing to do, while a "red shirt" is really just a filler with no depth (like that guy in the very first scene of A Game of Thrones), imho.
Anyway, great video (again)! :)
Yeah, the typical red shirt would be the scientist guy in the beginning of the first episode. But even though Barb is a minor character, she's still fulfilling the role of "character-death-that-ups-the-stakes". So I lumped her in with that scientist dude.
I would say, while the scientist might be deemed a Red Shirt, Barbara was Fridged.
@@StarlasAikoTo me, it looks like Barbara was not fridged. She had a lasting impact and was brought up again and again, not by only a main character, but by the community. Her death had a real impact on the story beyond inciting action out of revenge, which played a part, but wasn't the entirety of it. Fridging victims don't tend to be remembered outside the context of their death/destruction inciting action in the associated main character, which would be Nancy in this case(but it'd usually be a love interest, which isn't the case here either).
I've seen "character who's treated like a main character whose main purpose is to die for drama" be called a Sacrificial Lion before, like Boromir from LotR
Great video. Listing the multiple antagonists that way made me realize a good strategy is antagonists presenting different kinds of conflict. The demigorgon is almost like a force of nature. Other antagonists are mostly personal man to man antagonists. Others are social enemies with different tiers of social power posing different challenges. An antagonist could confront personal weaknesses too, or different antagonists could pose different forms of internal conflict.
A great example of merging plotlines is Fallout. Going into E8 it seems like there's no way they can resolve everything in a single episode. But everything is so connected that the whole plot resolves like a magic trick. And the different characters' pieces of the puzzle give different perspectives on the conflicts to enrich the audience's understanding.
Arcane is some peak writing too.
Great video. I love these tips that are easily relatable because there is a vivid example!
Appreciate this video. There is much to learn from effective screen writing like Stranger Things. To me it doesn't matter what sources you reference, TV, Cinema or Literature, if they help improve my writing. Keep up the great work.
The three storylines also make it relatable to different age demographics: children, teens and adults.
I don't hate love triangles explicitly, but it is refreshing to see a love triangle that isn't centered on a single protagonist. And it helps that it's done well, where the two ends of the triangle aren't sitting around wondering who the third one will pick.
Great video and tips!!
unbelievably helpful. everyone should save this video to come back to!
Thanks! Now, I have some ideas on how to spice up my story and fill in some gaps. 👍
Thank you so much for this! lol I just rewrote the opening chapter of my novel with a red shirt. 😉
Good stuff. I can use these. Thanks!
Fantastic video, one of your very best 🎯💯
Loved this, thank you so much 😁
Yes!! Love triangles. A love triangle done well can provide SO much about character devlopment and find a way to showcase other underlying "decisions" that a character is making, such as choosing the good/bad side, a type of lifestyle, etc. Those love interests can embody so much more than just being hotties! And as much as people say they hate them, look at the shows and books that are popular. A lot of them have them.
I’ve made a whole powerpoint presentation about the brilliance of the writing in Stranger Things season 1 (and the pitfalls of the following seasons), I think it’s amazing television
sounds very cool
I've flipped cars and stopped fans with my mind in my mind. 2:30
I still can't forgive them for killing Barb 😭😭😭 I kept waiting for them to suddenly find her LOL
OMG, me too! Poor Barb! 😭😭😭😭😭
@@nalublackwater9729 Right? She needs her own series ---- the part of the upside down world she was in when they thought she was dead ;)
Hey, could you do a video over dramatic timing? In Stranger Things and other TV shows they are really good at using other story lines to heighten the others and stopping when something goes wrong. I struggle with it in my own writing and im sure others do to.
I’m not sure “theme” is the right word. Motif, maybe? Sort of like a collection of writing tips that all build off a certain piece of media? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, motorcycles are a motif, and Quality is a theme - themes are more abstract.
Do red shirts still tend to work well if they're mentioned but not shown dying?
When using multiple antagonists, is it OK to have their "plots" overlap, or is it much better to have one antagonist established and resolved/defeated, before showing the next, and so on? Also, about multiple antagonists, is it OK if the main one is grayer/less evil, than one that is less important and defeated earlier?
Thanks in advance. This video was very encouraging, because it fit my concept quite thoroughly.
Pantsers on webnovel apps using love triangles & reader opinions/votes are the worst.
Much as I love Bookfox, I don't love the use of non-books here. I understand why it's done but still.
Just trying some stuff out. I think storytelling can be learned from a variety of mediums, and wanted to try to focus on a popular TV show. If people don't love it I can return to the regular programming.
@@Bookfox Thanks for your reply!
@@Bookfox I really liked the video myself, but I was expecting you to illustrate #6 - contrast with an actual book example. You said “I’ve read books” that do it, vaguely described what they did, but showed no actual text.
For me, a great story is a great story. The medium does not matter. Learn from everything.
Great video!
@Bookfox I actually really like it! As a writer who struggles the most with structure more-so than crafting individual scenes, I think films / TV are great at helping me understand big-picture storytelling without getting distracted by prose. Obviously, I want to learn from books too, but TV shouldn’t be discounted either.
Thanks so much! Really enjoyed this video :)
❤Never dissaponts!
What not to take from Stranger Things: Product Placement
Never watched the show but still support the message lol
1,931 words. About 40-45% there. Thanks Prof. Fox
Can anyone show/list examples of 5:35?
Multiple or Multiply the antagonists?
I know it's not the point of the video, but so glad there was justice for Steve Harrington by the end of it lmao. He really has redeemed himself, and when I rewatch Stranger Things I find that he's not even that bad of a character to begin with. I think it's really interesting how the show writers frame him has such a d-bag while Jonathan gets let off the hook despite taking creepy photos. Kind of shows the amount of influencing power writers have.
#JUSTICEFORBARB !!!!
🙌
JP approves #7
Not a fan of overused superpowers
Love traingle is just bs
I won a yearly subscription to bookfox 3 months ago. Everytime i write my email in a comment UA-cam deletes it n now, when i click on your comments i cant reply.
I want to redeem my prize.
email me. My website and email are in my bio.
Love triangles are dumb. Why not a love square or pentagon
No.
How about an antagonist literally bleeding while using their superpowers?
Not the best epusode
Pease, DON'T DO love triangles. Just stop. It is overused to the point that it is unbearable. The only feeling I have as a reader is "oh fk no, not this sht again", and i am going to skip through pages in a search of an actual plot.
I think it can be like that with every trope. But I personally just love it when creators use overused tropes and give it a new spin. That is what storytelling is about. Not always inventing new things, but doing the old thing in your unique way
Unfortunately, (for you) it’s a classic and still works and audiences still love it.
Don't steal anything from Stranger Things. It's terrible writing by people who weren't even alive in the mid-80s. How many middle aged mothers were saying "No duh" in 1984? None!