Is the MacGuffin truly interchangable, and how does it impact on your character writing?

Stu and Chas are joined by a special guest - Scriptmag contributor Brad Johnson - to discuss how the choice of the MacGuffin can impact on the quality of an action/adventure film. To test this thesis, our heroes compare the auspicious originals of two iconic franchise with their, um, less-than-auspicious 4th instalments (in other words we compare RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK with KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL and THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL with ON STRANGER TIDES) as well as look at two recent & original entries into the genre, namely NATIONAL TREASURE and PRINCE OF PERSIA.

Our heroes uncover how key the relationship between the protagonist and the MacGuffin is and how this can impact on writing in any genre, not just action/adventure. Suprisingly, Brad brings up STAR WARS before Stu does...

LINKS

• You can find Brad Johnson on Twitter or at www.ReadWatchWrite.com
• Scriptmag: Specs & The City: MacGuffins and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ by Brad Johnson pecs & The City: MacGuffins and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ - See more at: http://www.scriptmag.com/features/specs-the-city-macguffins-and-raiders-of-the-lost-ark#sthash.zlc7sxQo.dpuf
• The Blackboard forum: What is a MacGuffin? citing TVTropes.org and Alfred Hitchcock
• Youtube: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - The Greek Chorus/Exposition Scene
• Youtube: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - Showing protagonist's desire for the MacGuffin
• The Complete Making of Indiana Jones by Rinzler and Bouzereau
• Youtube: How Indy 4 should have ended
• Youtube: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL - Visualising and explaining the MacGuffin
• Youtube: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - Where the protagonist says that they do not want the MacGuffin in the middle of the film
• Youtube: NATIONAL TREASURE - Where the MacGuffin itself actually tells the protagonist to take action
• Youtube: PRINCE OF PERSIA - The only point where the MacGuffin actually affects the plot

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Remastered July, 2020