Story Babble

Brian interviews Mark about his award-winning documentary, Baby Boomerang. And you can watch it free at markarnettfilms.com.

Mark and Brian talk to Chuck Sigars about his life as a semi-syndicated columnist, his writing process, and his days as an actor which were recently revived in the much-touted independent film Winning Dad.

Find Chuck Sigars' work on his website. ChuckSigars.com 

Read his blog about his appearence on Storybabble here.

Mark and Brian use Jurassic World to examine the many relationships that exist in a typical movie, how they add depth and texture to a story, and how all relationships, no matter their significance, need closure for a satisfying ending.

Documentary film about stop-motion animator Phil Tippett

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should." Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum)

Mark and Brian discuss Mark’s stint in the hospital resulting in the loss of his gall bladder but the discovery of a transcendent state in which he heals his spirit animal with a little white lie. This gets them thinking: What are our fictitious stories if not lies that have the power to heal?

Links:

Dan Harris' Book 10% Happier

Mark and Brian talk about Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA, 2018 Winner of Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director. While the pace of the film was considered glacial by many, including Mark and Brian, those who stick with it will be rewarded. The film is discussed in detail, so watch it first on Netflix if you’re the kind of person who beats up someone for spoiling a movie. (True story, unfortunately. There’s a link in the notes.) NOTES: Brian was amazed at how they got the dramatic shot of Cleo walking into the ocean. Mark was not. “They build a pier.” He was right. Cuarón explains here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8BanE_LKMQ But Brian remains amazed at how well the rescue action plays with two young children. Brian referenced a New York Times article https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/movies/alfonso-cuaron-roma-mexico-city.html in which Cuaron talks about the sights and especially the sounds of his childhood neighborhood of Roma in Mexico City.  As for peril that awaits people who spoil movies - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6966361/Man-pictured-beaten-attacked-loudly-revealing-spoilers-new-Avengers-movie.html

Mark and Brian talk about their first collaborative writing project - “Who’s the Victor?” - Westwood High School’s senior class play for 1979. It was unconventional and a little pretentious, but it was a place to start. The play’s composer, Brian Larson, joins the conversation which asks the questions, “Where do you go to be bad?” Everyone has to start somewhere.

Mark tells a story about how he and his wife, Camille, fell in love. Camille is there to make sure he gets it right. Giving and receiving notes is an important part of writing or telling a great story. Here’s some advice on how to do both with grace.

Author Kara McDowell discusses her YA book Just for Clicks. She talks about her journey to getting published and explains millennials to Mark and Brian.

Just for Clicks at Amazon

Just For Clicks at Barnes & Noble

Visit Kara’s website at karajmcdowell.com. 

You can also find her on Twitter @karajmcdowell and Instagram @karajmcdowellbooks

Watch Mark Arnett’s short film, Clicks on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QY2v1PB-4Os 

Brian explains that the key to overcoming writer’s block is to write the scenes you love, and new ideas will follow.  Mark’s trick is to clean his garage so that his mind will work overtime to come up with something great to write so he can stop cleaning the garage.

Brian explains to Mark the “Three Act Structure" that great storytellers use to craft great stories.  Mark doesn’t get it.