Essay of the Month: The Elements of a Story

This is something that I decided to do for the blog; that on the first day of every month I will post a little something I like to call "Essay of the Month". "Essay of the Month" is a detailed and researched blog entry describing character development, narrative, and the elements of storytelling.

There is a lot to go over, but for right now, I'm going to keep it pure and simple: The Elements of a Story.

I'm starting off with the most basic of story writing lessons: how to go from the innocent beginning, to a conflicted middle, and thought-provoking and (hopefully) satisfying ending.

Picture taken from here.

Plot: What Happens in the Beginning, Middle and End?

Plot noun "Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main story 

of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story."(Source #2)

Plot involves every other element, or the story cannot be told. Without "conflict", you just have a bunch of characters doing nothing. Without "character", you just have an issue that cannot be resolved.

"The plot is the action, the series of events in the story that help move the characters forward to resolve their conflict(s). When conflict enters a character's world, the plot is catapulted." (Source #3)

Picture taken from here.

Also called 'exposition', the 'beginning' is where everything is set up: you have a place, a time or time period, characters that will meet and conflict ensues. The characters are usually the source of the conflict. Maybe they don't like each other for whatever reason - it has to be a pretty strong reason or the story will fall flat. Although other characters don't have to be the conflict in the story. Maybe the main character decides to embark on a journey of self-discovery and there is no one to blame but themselves.

The 'middle' is the basis of the story and it will take up most of the action. This part is called 'rising action'. At this point in the story the action should be getting more exciting: maybe the character moves to another place or finds another character that is on his side. It is where characters face more problems, may defeat some problems that create other more difficult problems, and develop in some way. 

In the middle of the 'middle', there is a 'climax'. But if you are smart, you won't place that in the exact middle of the story. But don't mistake it as the conclusion. It is the part where the main character is forced into making a 'crucial decision' that will decide the outcome for that character. It should be the impetus that pulls the story forward into the 'resolution'.

The 'resolution' is where everything is, literally, resolved. Maybe the main character realizes he's in love and finds the girl of his dreams and they decide to make it work. Or maybe the main character has just defeated the evil overlord of the story. Most parts of the story are answered here, but not all of them.

After the 'resolution' comes the 'ending'. This is the part where everything is decided or finalized. Not everything has to be finalized. You can leave some very select pieces of the storyline unfinished if that is best for the story. But for the most part, everything has a conclusion: the bad guy is dead or at least defeated, the main character falls in love or achieves some aim he had in the 'beginning'.

Depending on how well written the 'denouement' is, people who are watching the story may think that the movie or story could've ended before this part, right at the end of the 'resolution' period. Which is fine. A lot of stories work this way and most movies do as well.

Picture taken from here.

A lot of people feel as though this diagram of the plot is a more correct visual representation of the story. It is because the 'conclusion' is not on the same space occupied by the 'exposition' or the 'beginning' of the story. And it shouldn't be, because even though things have seemingly gone back to the way things were before the story was told, i. e. back to normal, it is not the same as it was before. Changes have happened to the main character and to those closest to him. 

Setting: Where is this Happening?

Setting noun "the locale or period in which the action 

of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place." (Source #2)

You can place the characters and their problems anywhere, but they have to be somewhere. Also, it helps if the setting influences the character. Like if they're originally from the country and they move to the big city, or vice-versa.

Character: Who is this Happening To?

Character noun 

1. the aggregate of features and traits 

that form the individual nature of some person or thing.

2. one such feature or trait; characteristic.

3. moral or ethical quality.

4. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity.

5. reputation. (Source #2)

6. a person or persons who populate a story 

(and should have a few, if not all, of the above).

I like the definition provided by Theatre: Its Art and Craft: "the representation of the personalities in action." (Source #4)

These people make up your story. Make them interesting.

Conflict: What are the Problems Faced in the Story?

Conflict verb (used without object)

1. to come into collision or disagreement; 

be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash. 

2. to fight or contend; do battle. (Source #2)

Conflict noun

3. a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; strife.

4. controversy; quarrel: conflicts between parties.

5. discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, 

as of interests or principles: a conflict of ideas.

6. a striking together; collision.

7. incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity 

with another: a conflict in the schedule. (Source #2)

It goes without saying that without conflict you don't have a story. There is nothing to tell. There may be characters, but they don't do anything: they don't grow, learn what strengths they have, find a lover, or change in any way. So they won't be affecting the audience. 

The conflict should be able to motivate someone, like the main protagonist to get off his keister and do something that challenges himself in some way.

Theme: What is the Underlying Message of the Story?

Theme noun 

1. a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; 

topic: The need for world peace was the theme of the meeting.

2. a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.

You can develop a theme based around the conflict. It can be morally or politically charged. It could be simple, like don't be a bad guy and try to take over the world while Superman is around.

Everything is up to you. Be creative and have fun. Many projects are made based around its ability to make money, but you only show your best stuff if you do it for you.

Also, for your enjoyment, this video about the elements of a story courtesy of Flocabulary's Youtube channel:

Tell me what you think in the comments below: did you like what you read? What would you like to read about later?

Sources:
- #1- http://teachers.saschina.org/dcole/2008/04/08/story-elements/
- #2 - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plot?s=t
- #3 - http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/2012/05/story-element-3-plot.html
- #4 - Archer, Steven, Cynthia Gendrich and Woodrow Hood. Theatre: Its Art and Craft. 5th Ed. San Diego, CA. Collegiate Press. 2003. Pg. 60.

"Premium Rush" Movie Review

"Premium Rush" movie poster.

"Among the bike couriers in New York City, no one is more determined and reckless than Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an ex-law student more comfortable on his brakeless bike than in a suit. One day, a Chinese foreign student named Nima (Jamie Chung) arranges for him to deliver a vital envelope across the city. Unfortunately, a crooked cop, Det. Robert Monday (Michael Shannon), has a desperate need for that envelope himself and won't take 'No' for an answer. Now, Wilee finds himself relentlessly pursued by Monday and others in a situation becoming more complicated and dangerous by the minute. Together with his friends and rivals, Wilee must discover the secret of this dangerous delivery and make it through a gauntlet that will require all his cunning, daring and courage to survive." Written by Kenneth Chisholm (Source below.)

Dania Ramirez.

Directed and written by David Koepp ("Angels & Demons", "Secret Window") and cowritten by John Kamps ("Ghost Town", "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie"). The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("Inception", "Looper"), Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road", "Jonah Hex"), Dania Ramirez ("X-Men: The Last Stand", "The 25th Hour"), Jamie Chung ("Sucker Punch", "The Man With the Iron Fists"), Wole Parks ("As The World Turns", "Law & Order"), and Christopher Place ("My Soul to Take", "Step Up 3D").

When I saw advertisements for this movie a while ago, I was a bit skeptical. Like "how will that be even remotely realistic?", "why isn't Lance Armstrong in this movie?" or "will Joseph Gordon-Levitt take off his shirt since he seems to have built muscles for this role?" But I digress. 

Jamie Chung.

"Premium Rush" isn't your usual action movie. For example: a gun is only fired once, explosions involve a cyclist running into a trash can, and car accidents are more realistic - broken windows and fender benders. 

I liked the setting, New York City is an excellent place. I think they got the frenetic pacing of the city just right. It was very interesting how you saw everything from the biker's perspective, including the GPS navigational system, how they knew which way to go, and how they basically survive delivering other people's stuff for fifty dollars. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (L) and Michael Shannon.

It was also interesting that they brought these three massive groups of people together and you saw a possibility of what could happen. Those three groups being the police, the bikers, and the chinese underworld. This is a city teeming with people and these groups of people are still so tight-knit. 

This movie rocks, it is very exciting and the characters are fully formed. I still can't give it 5 out of 5, only because there was a very simple solution to the one character's problems. All she had to do was tell her roommate about the issue and they could've gone together and probably would've done it for free. And there was one other problem: the ending was a bit like a Disney film, but I did like seeing the bad guy get his. But still an excellent and short movie, if you're just looking for a fun night in.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 typewriters.

Sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/.

Also, this official "training" featurette from the movie provided by ClevverMovies:

Quentin Tarantino on Screenwriting!!!

"For Quentin Tarantino, the script really does come first.

"Tarantino ("Django Unchained") said if he does his job right, the script should speak for itself as [a] work of literature, even if he chose not to make it into a film.“When I’m writing, it’s about the page. It’s not about the movie,” the writer-director said during The Hollywood Reporter’s Director Roundtable. “It’s about the literature of me putting my pen to paper and writing a good page, and making it work completely."

“ 'Now it’s mine to f-up if I go forward with it,” he said. “I always go forward with it. But I want to love that script so much that I’m tempted to stop.”

"Writing "Django Unchained", [which hits theaters Christmas Day], was no different.

“There’s stuff that’s in the script that I know will never ever make the movie, but it just makes the book — the piece of literature — better,” Tarantino said. “It’s a better read. It’s more emotionally satisfying. Then just like you do with an adaptation, you peel a lot of that stuff away.”

"Tarantino joined awards season contenders Ben Affleck ("Argo"), Ang Lee ("Life of Pi"), Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables"), David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") and Gus Van Sant ("Promised Land") for a roundtable discussion moderated by THR news editor Matthew Belloni and executive editor features Stephen Galloway."

You can see the original posting here.

Tip and Quote of the Week: The Importance of Names

I got this picture here.

The Importance of Character Names

Character names are just as important as coming up with a great title for your script.

They need to be unique both to other scripts, and unique from each other WITHIN your script.

This last point is important because you don't ever want a character's name to be similar to another's within your own script. So don't re-use names that start with the same letter, or end with the same sound (see: "Sam" and "Steve" or "Jenny" and "Benny"), etc.

"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
 by any other name would smell as sweet."

- William Shakespeare, 
"Romeo and Juliet"

Sources: http://www.namelymarly.com/name-quotes/ and http://www.screenplay.com/default.aspx.

A former Hollywood Lit Manager, Michael Ferris started ScriptAWish.com as a way to help other writers get their foot in the door and has helped several writers sell their scripts (like Travis Beacham of PACIFIC RIM) and set up projects with producers like Academy Award Winner Arnold Kopelson. The mission of ScriptAWish.com is to help aspiring writers get their scripts into shape and then get their foot in the door. His new venture is a collaboration with several professional screenwriters called StudioGhostwriters.com and is intended to help producers get their movie ideas on paper or their drafts polished for production.

lol I got this picture here.

"Red Dawn" Movie Review

Poster for "Red Dawn".

"A group of teenagers look to save their town from an invasion of North Korean soldiers." (Source below.)

Directed by first time director, usually stunt coordinator, Dan Bradley and written for the screen by Carl Ellsworth ("The Last House on the Left", "Disturbia", "Red Eye") and Jeremy Passmore ("Special"). It is based upon the 1984 screenplay by Kevin Reynolds ( wrote the screenplay for "Fandango" better known for his directing "Waterworld", "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", "The Count of Monte Cristo", "Tristan + Isolde") and John Milius ("Apocalypse Now", "Dillinger", "Dirty Harry" - uncredited) with the story by Kevin Reynolds.

Screenplay is available here: http://screenplayexplorer.com/?p=1229.

Chris Hemsworth.

Starring Chris Hemsworth ("Thor","The Avengers"), Josh Hutcherson ("Journey to the Center of the Earth", "The Kids Are Alright", "The Hunger Games"), Josh Peck ("Drake and Josh"), Isabel Lucas ("Immortals", "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"), Adrianne Palicki ("Friday Night Lights", "Legion"), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Watchmen", "The Possession", "P. S. I Love You"). Their character names and stories are unimportant. 

I am mostly disappointed in this movie, but I'm not entirely sure how they could've made it better. It seemed pretty doomed from the start. 

I felt like there was information missing. I just wanted to know more about the enemy. I knew they were North Korean and a few Russians, but that was it. I didn't know enough about the lead bad guy to develop that certain amount of respect and dirty admiration you're supposed to hold for the dark antagonist. I knew I wasn't going to find out more about the awesome weapon they had, but that still irritated me. But who needs information in the middle of what could be the next Michael Bay wannabe action film. 

(L to R) Adrianne Palicki, Josh Hutcherson,
Isabel Lucas, Chris Hemsworth, and Josh Peck.

At least you can see the explosions in a Michael Bay movie. You can't even see any action because the director used the dreaded shaky-camera effect. I guess mostly to cover up a bad editing job, which was still apparent in the final product. Why, oh why, do they use that effect! It doesn't do anything for the film and it looks like you're trying to cover up bad effects and editing, but it just makes that more obvious. 

And if you're going to give me an action film that has tragic death scenes, DO NOT kill off the only actor who is shouldering the movie along! Kill off everyone else, but don't kill that guy off! That part was a surprise, but it mostly just ticked me off. I did not pay money to see the only actor doing a good job in the movie get killed off just before the end. 

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (L) and Chris Hemsworth.

And Josh Peck annoyed me to no end. And not just because of his bitchy character. All his acting involved was squinting. No matter what was going on. And Jeffrey Dean Morgan was only in it for fifteen minutes and he was the only one making me laugh. 

This movie was just a series of momentous annoyances to me. The whole thing was just uninspired. Although it has inspired me to see the original. I heard the explosions in it are visible.

I give this movie 2.5 out of 5 typewriters.