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Moments

Turning up the Volume.

Today we had a workshop with Steve Coombes, a screenwriter, who gave us invaluable tips for developing our stories and communicating with the viewer.

Think of the moment

He made a point of thinking about the moments that will stick with the viewer, and then write the script around that moment. This pinnacle moment is what the viewer will remember about your production, no matter what the production is.
The audience is easily distracted, and so you should only tell them what they need to know. If you start writing a conversation about how the character's day was, no viewers would be interested or remember the story. However if you include too many 'moments' (i.e. too many explosions) there will be no specific moment that the viewer will remember.

Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk is a very popular film of 2017, released in July but still with viewings showing in October. This film is great because it has those memorable moments that stay with the viewer. 
This is a particularly memorable scene from Dunkirk, a single tracking shot that lasts for 5 minutes. 
This is memorable because it's an unusual technique especially for such a long shot. Another particularly memorable moment in the film is the final flight that Farrier (Tom Hardy) makes when the plane fails and he has to glide along the beach after shooting down a dive bomber that was about to attack. This moment was memorable because of how hopeless the situation seems; the plane is off, just gliding along the beach silently and Farrier has to crank down the wheels which adds tension. But there is also a sense that he could make it. The troops on the beach are cheering and waving to him. He flies out of the ground claimed by the British troops and lands beyond the perimeter, but this is where another 'moment' follows- he is captured by German troops and it seems that his victory of landing the gliding plane is immediately broken with the tragedy. 

Clearly this is a particularly memorable moment in the film that sticks with the viewer because of the tension and tragedy. 

The Joke

A joke works like so: setup, twist, punchline.
This is a rule that will also work when writing a script. You set the scene, introduce the characters and being the story. Then you have the twist in the story, and then you have the punchline- how it affected the characters at the end. The punchline is what makes the viewers feel the emotion.

Final Notes

  • Make sure you're only telling the audience what they need to know.
  • It's easier to say something; don't slip into the habit.
  • If it's difficult to talk about, it's a good topic.
  • Take your story to an 11/10.
  • Know your ending and make it the biggest moment.
  • How can you amplify the moment?
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