Ink2Screen's podcast

The next monthly madness is open for registration until August 15th. You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.    The next prize will be $150. June's winner was Matthew Newton. He wrote an amazing 5 page script titled "This Just In." His Logline: An anchorman gets breaking news stories only to find out that he is revealing the tragic moments of his own life.   He was joined by four others rounding out the five finalists. Kevin Wilde, Raymond Vogel, Kansas Starr, and Charlie Schulman! This was the best Writing madness yet. Don't miss out on the next one.    Enter now at www.ink2screen.net.   Theme: 10 Classic Movie Themes

1. Love
2. Humanity vs Technology
3. Sacrifice
4. Good vs Evil
5. Death
6. Perserverance
7. Coming of Age
8. Family Drama
9. Reason vs Faith
10. Justice

Theme, or premise. This can be the hardest thing to lock down and get into your script. You can have everything in your script. Amazing characters, incredible plot, wonderful scenes, great dialogue, perfect structure. but without a theme, it will always feel like something's missing. 

 

Interview with May's winner of the Monthly Writing Madness. 

Angi Mann Witch's Vengeance 

She won $150, podcast interview, and a page on the ink2screen website. 

July's Writing Madness is now open for registration at www.ink2screen.net.

This is part three of the 3 part series all about characters. This one will be pretty long but well worth it.   The last two weeks we talked about The Protagonist and The Antagonist and how important it is to create characters that are tied together and help move the story forward.   5 Major Character Archetypes Part 1: Protagonist Part 2: Antagonist Part 3: Love Interest, mentor, & Reflection   Today is all about the support system. Primarily the Love Interest, Mentor, and the Reflection.

 

An in-depth look at The Antagonist. 

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on the major character types for your screenplay. 

5 Major Character Archetypes Part 1: Protagonist Part 2: Antagonist Part 3: Love Interest, mentor, & Reflection   Without action being met by reaction, there is no conflict. Without conflict, a writer has no story. An antagonist must be both engaging (forcing a protagonist to take action) and formidable (because the greater the challenge, the greater the victory). 

This will begin a 3 part series all based on characters. I wanted them to be cut down into these smaller areas because you don't need every character in there and there are some things that you don't want to miss out on.    5 Major Character Archetypes Part 1: Protagonist Part 2: Antagonist Part 3: Love Interest, mentor, & Reflection   Nowadays, it's all about creating amazing characters. Everyone is looking for that "character-driven" story. Everything else can change, themes, gimmicks, popularity, but the one thing that will remain the same is that they want characters that stand out.The love of great characters will never change. This begins with The Protagonist.   Check out the next Monthly Writing Madness at www.ink2screen.net. The May winner will be announced tomorrow. Very excited. 

Here is the exclusive interview with R. J. Anderson. The winner of the Monthly Writing Madness for April. He talks about what he's working on and how he enjoyed the Monthly Writing Madness. Check it out here and check out his artist profile at www.ink2screen.net/rjanderson. 

The Monthly Writing Madness has now opened for registration for June! Ready to be inspired and possibly win some money? Check it all out here: Monthly Writing Madness.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help guide their writing. Plus we have monthly writing contests. Our next Monthly Writing Madness for June has now opened for Registration. Next month's prize will be $150. Plus an artist profile on the website, your very own website link, and an exclusive interview on this podcast.   Now enough of that. Let's get back to today's podcast. Today is all about The 3-Act Structure; The Film Paradigm. This is a basic overview of the structure that I have collected.   I've provided a great printout diagram of everything I'm brining up in this podcast. It is a collection of many sources. This is just a collaboration of things I've read and been taught through my schooling. I don't claim any of it but doesn't mean I'm not going to use it to help my listeners create amazing stories. Feel free to download and print it out at your convienience at www.ink2screen.net/page8. I'll also provide the link in the show notes below this episode. This is something I've had pinned up in my office since I started writing.    Alfred Hitchcock said: "To make a great film you need three things – the script, the script and the script."   Pages are all rough estimates.   Basic Film Paradigm made famous by Syd Field and then tweaked by many other gurus. The page count and percentage is based on a film of 120 pages. Act 1(Set Up)-25%/30 pages, Act 2(Confrontation) is 50%/60pages and Act 3 (resolution) is 25%/30 pages.   This includes the ascending action going all the way up through plot point #2 which begins the resolution or Act 3. Plot point is the turning point between Act 1 and Act 2. The descending action is just encompassed through just the 3rd Act. This is the basic film paradigm. And it was Aristotle that created the basic analysis here, simply put, it means any story has a beginning middle and an end.   For the sake of keeping this podcast short and sweet, I'm going to stick to one example to interweave into these acts: The Incredibles at 115mins, close to the 120 page form.   ACT 1: The Beginning/The Set Up pages 1-30 / 25%   1-10 pages: Ordinary world. This is from the previous podcast where you introduce your character and put in your Inciting Incident or Call to action. This is where it all hits the fan.    The Incredibles: 1-12 we get to meet Mr. Incredible and what a day in his life is like. Then on pages 13-15 we get the inciting incident that the super heroes have been outlawed. This forces our hero to go into hiding.   10-30 pages: Refusal of the call. We've all been there when we watch the hero reject what needs to be done. Of course, we have seen a lot of movies that this goes on throughout but this should be the main/strongest that it is. Because next comes crossing the first threshold by page 30. This is the Plot Point One / Turning point one / Awakening / The Point of no return. However you want to see it, this is it.   The Incredibles: This is a great example because Mr. Incredible refuses his new life. And by page 30, Mr. Incredible has gotten back on the wagon to saving lives. He listens to the scanner and saves lives in the burning building. Here is the first plot point because then we get pushed into the next part when he is recruited by Mirage.   ACT 2: Middle/The Confrontation pages 31-90 / 50%    30-60: include test, allies, and enemies. Mid point right near the middle. keep everyone locked in.   The Incredibles: By page 60, Mr. Incredible/Bob has defeated the first robot and is about to go on the next one. This will enter the next inmost cave where the true intentions of Buddy.   60-90 Approaching inner most cave. At the end, to transition to the resolution, is the Inmost Cave(Plot Point 2).   The Incredibles: By 90-100, the whole family has joined the fight to help save Bob.     ACT 3: End/The Resolution 91-120 / 25%   91-110: Final Push/Seizing the Sword   The Incredibles: The final push. The whole family have now gotten together to save the city against Buddy.    110-120: Return with Elixir   The Incredibles: Buddy is defeated and the family has found a new acceptance of their powers and family dynamic. They have created a new "Ordinary World" and then it breaks apart again giving us the Underminer. This gives us another glimpse of how the family dynamic has improved and they are working together.    I've attached the script so you can do your own evaluation. Reading scripts is a great way to learn and grow. You can also download this at www.ink2screen.net/page8   Now, remember, this is just a suggested format. Find what works for you. These are only guidelines. Take from it what you will because it does work but don't limit yourself to just these guidelines. It is your story. Tell it the way you want but do it in a way to entertain.   If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. Also, if you really liked this podcast or hated it, leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. You can also find us under Ink 2 Screen.    If there is any topic you'd like me to talk about can contact me through the website or Facebook. And be sure to listen to next weeks episode as I interview Richard Anderson, the winner of April's Monthly Writing Madness. It was a great interview and one that will give some great tips from someone who has won our Monthly Writing Madness.   Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help guide their writing. Plus we have monthly writing contests. The May contest is officially underway! This month will be a prize for the Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin, writer of A Few Good Men, The West Wing and The Social Network. If you feel left out, there will be a brand new Monthly Madness in June with a hot new prize for the best script. You'll have 5 days to write a whole new 5 page script based off an image that is selected and sent out on the 15th. A challenge for any writer, new or seasoned!    You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.   I'm also so excited to announce the winner of the April Monthly Madness, Mr. R. J. Anderson. He wrote an incredible 5 page script for the April Madness entitled The Last Straw. Logline: A mistreated shuttle mechanic finds liberation on the third worst day of his life. The image was of a shuttle launch to commemorate the very first ever Monthly Writing Madness. If you want to learn more about Richard Anderson, you can head to www.ink2screen.net and see the artist spotlight. Every month the winner will get a spotlight on the website, their own page via Ink 2 Screen for a year and an interview on this Podcast! Showcase your writing. You deserve it.    Now, on to today's episode. Today is all about the First 10 pages! Hook em and reel em in.    The best part of a script and the most important is the first 10 pages. So much needs to happen. Think about the last time you were at a movie and we're sucked in by the very first 10 minutes. Think of how important it is.    This introduces your audience to the world you're creating.    Things that must be done in those first 10 pages:

• Introduce the main characters
• Establish the primary environments and time period
• Convey a distinct mood or atmosphere
• Display the "routine" or "way of life"
• Provide any backstory *That is relevant*
• Introduce the antagonist

  This is also a good time to know how you are going to end your story, this way you know what to indicate in the beginning. This will set it up for the whole rest of the story.    This is also where we need to have our inciting incident. If you missed out on Page 5, the Inciting Incident then I'll do a quick review: "The inciting incident, also known as the catalyst, is the moment the protagonist's world changes in a dramatic way." You want to do this within those first 10 pages. Once as your world is established, you want to throw it in the wind! Chaos is what keeps your reader/audience hooked.   Now the first 10 pages are all the set up for your first Act. I will be going over the 3 Act structure in the next Podcast, so stay tuned! But those first 10 pages set it all up for the first act and lead to that first plot point, not to be confused with the inciting incident. So many things to remember. Almost something happening on every 10 pages.    Today was all about the first 10 pages. Just like these first 7 pages of these podcasts, it's about laying the ground work for the awesomeness that is your story.   Now for some practical examples!! Haha. I have two examples. One movie I've seen many many times, so I know what they were going for. And the other example I have not seen the movie at all and just read the screenplay! But a lot of people have seen the movie. I have attached both scripts to the webpage at www.ink2screen.net/page7. I have the full scripts but for this episode, I'm only focusing on the first 10-11 pages. These are the finished scripts so they match the movies very well.   Toy Story! I know but it's a good one. Even reading the script along with the first 10 minutes of screen time. Now try to think of the last time you saw this movie. The very first 10 minutes is all about meeting all of the characters. We go along with Woody and see what a typical day is like for him. By page 5-5 min mark, we get the inciting incident of Andy's birthday party being moved to that day! This throws all the toys into a frenzy. Here is the conflict. But by this time we have already fallen in love with this character. We get to meet many of the great toys; Dinosaur, Bo Peep, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head. We are rooting for the character. And we can feel the strain with new toys coming in because we were all kids and we know what happens when we get a new toy.  This all happened in the first 10 min. I actually think Woody is his own Antagonist when he lets jealousy take him over and make bad choices. Sid, the horrible neighbor kid, isn't introduced until later but it's more about Woody and the struggle he goes through after Buzz comes on board.    So think of it, if you had never seen the movie, would the first 10 pages inspire you to keep going? This has it all and is a great example.    Now my second example is Bird Box. I never saw the movie but found the script online. This script captured me right away. It began right in the middle of things. This is another option to bring a teaser. Like some tv shows do, provide a teaser and go back to the beginning. It's a good hook but only if done well, if not, it can come off as cliche.    Bird Box thrusts you into this world where no one can look. As an audience you are blindfolded as well and want to know how it turns out. I was hooked from the first few pages. There's counting that gives a sense of urgency and puts you in a heightened sense of awareness right from the beginning. We don't have the established world until page 6 when we get to know Malorie, and what her life was like before the blindfold and row boat. Five years earlier and she's pregnant so more questions pop up. But even then we only get one page of normalcy before we learn a little more about what is happening to create the future of what we've seen.  We were introduced to the antagonist right away even though we didn't see them. This is a great example of how to start in the middle of things and move back to the beginning of the story for clarity. It is a great hook and one that Bird Box did beautifully.     Now also, keep in mind that these are finished scripts so there are added elements that you shouldn't worry about right away, like "begin and end titles" and any shooting instructions.   This has been a quick look at the first 10 pages and why they are so important. Now take the time to go back to any of your projects and make sure those first 10 pages are strong and reel in your audience. That's it for this episode. Be sure to go and get the scripts at www.ink2screen.net/page7 and comfortable with your beginnings.   If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. Also, if you really liked this podcast or hated it, leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. You can also find us under Ink 2 Screen.    It's still just Page 7, so if there is any topic you are just itching to learn more about, let me know. You can contact me through the website or Facebook. And be sure to listen to next weeks episode as I introduce you to the 3 Act structure. Certain guidelines to remember but aren't written in stone. You don't want to miss out on that.   Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help guide their writing. Plus we have monthly writing contests. 5 days left to enter the one for May. This month will be a prize for the Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin, writer of A Few Good Men, The West Wing and The Social Network. Enter now by the 15th for a chance at this great prize. You'll have 5 days to write a whole new 5 page script based off an image that is selected and sent out on the 15th. A challenge for any writer, new or seasoned!    You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.   Today's topic is all about dialogue! This is what truly sets screenplays apart. In books, we can get into the minds of the character. We understand how they are thinking and why they do certain things but in a script, we have to show that through action and dialogue. I'll cover action in a later podcast but for now, I'm going to focus on dialogue because it really is the bulk of your script, or in most cases it should be, unless your Tom Hanks on a deserted island but even then he had to talk to something. "Hey, Wilson!"   Now dialogue could be covered in several podcasts. Today will go over some quick tips on how to make great dialogue, things to avoid, and a few great tips on how to improve the dialogue you already have. More techniques and practices will be delved into deeper in future podcasts.    Dialogue must serve 4 basic functions:

1. To move the story forward
2. To reveal aspects of character not otherwise seen
3. To present exposition and particulars of past events
4. To set the tone for the film

Check out the rest of the notes at www.ink2screen.net/page6  

What is the inciting incident? The inciting incident, also known as the catalyst, is the moment the protagonist's world changes in a dramatic way. I love to think of it as the point of no return.   Another thing to remember is that the inciting incident should only be a page, no more than two. This is something so quick, thinking it of the first point of acceleration in your story. A quick burst of speed or power that gets your characters at an even plain of turmoil or action. This is quick.    The inciting incident is also the first part of the rest of the story arch, something that I'll go over in more detail in a future podcast.

1. What do your characters want?
2. What might prevent them from getting it?

So many people forget about the inciting incident or mistake it for the climax. It is important to create a compelling and incredible inciting incident within the first 5-10 pages of your script. This literally sets the stage for the whole story. If you inciting incident is not believable then what inspires your characters to go on the journey through the rest of the script.    Examples:

• Titanic - Old Rose seeing her drawing on the television. This is what inspires her to call and then tell her story. This is the beginning of the entire movie and we go on this journey because we want to know how her picture was found after so long! We are locked in at this point.
• Harry Potter - Harry receives a letter from Hogwarts but his Uncle refuses to give it to him. This peaks our interest as well. Harry's world turns completely upside down from the moment he sees the letter from Hogwarts and we are locked in to the ride with Harry and his friends.
• Avengers - The tesseract starts acting up. Up until this point we have been introduced to all the heroes but something big has to bring them all together and it started all with that bright blue box. 
• Lord of the Rings - Bilbo gives Frodo his ring and Frodo must take the ring away. They don't know what they have to do yet but it starts the whole journey that will bring them Mordor.
• Breaking Bad - Walter White gets cancer. I know this one was fairly easy but this inciting incident had to be so great to inspire five seasons and 62 episodes. This is a great one that drops away later by smaller inciting incidents but this is the beginning. 
• **Or one that is really popular right now…Game of Thrones. What was the inciting Incident? One could argue that it was Ned Stark getting beheaded but it actually started right in the beginning with the death of the previous King's Hand that made Ned go to King's Landing and then another inciting incident when Brand was pushed out of the window. These two incidents pushed multiple character storylines into action. It's hard with a show like that, they have so many storylines to follow that of course they would have more than one inciting incident. 

  Will your protagonist succeed? And the answer should not be clear at this point. If we all know the answer then your audience may not stick with you through the journey. Create high odds that will bring it to a great climax that will keep your audience guessing.    Think about it. When we are first entered into the story, it is in balance. We are shown the happy (or sad) medium that our characters have gotten used to.  From the previous examples: 

• Titanic - Brock Lovett is in the midst of searching for a diamond. He is happy in his knowledge of the Titanic, he has one goal. Old Rose is happy in her life until she sees the drawing and changes everything.
• Harry Potter - Harry has gotten into a routine with his horrible family but this is the life he has accepted until the letter comes flying into his home.
• Avengers - This one isn't the best example because we are thrown right into the fight. There is no balance. Which is how Avengers grabs us from the first minute.
• Lord of the Rings - does a great job of introducing us to the beautiful life of the Hobbits. This also serves to show what is in danger. There will be so much loss if Frodo fails. That was the perfect beginning. Because we knew who we were rooting for right from the start.
• Breaking Bad - I think we all felt for Walter from the very beginning. We went along with him to the two jobs he didn't like up until he finds out that he has cancer. Another punch to push the protagonist into action.
• Game of Thrones - Life at Winterfell. We meet all the siblings and get a taste of their life before the events happen that separate them all one by one.

What can we learn from this? Create a world of balance and throw it into chaos. Sometimes the greatest swing of the pendulum will result in the greatest story. So don't let the inciting incident slip through your fingers. This is all about the first 5-10 pages. Grab your audience by the short hairs and make them pay attention. Don't let them stop reading or watching.    This has been Page 5 of our podcast and rightly so! We've only scratched the surface of screenwriting. There is much more to come. And stay tuned as we get closer to announcing the winner of the April Monthly Writing Madness. I'm so excited. The winner will be getting $150, an interview on this podcast, and a profile on the website. Registration for the next Monthly Writing Madness is now open. It's all about writing those first 5 pages. Practice makes perfect. Let's see what you can do. You can enter at www.ink2screen.net.    If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. And you can also find us on Facebook under Ink 2 Screen.    Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.