Screenwriting
Plot Is Determined by Setting
The plot of any story is driven by the choices its protagonist makes. However, the other major factor that affects the plot is the setting–the time and location the story takes place. Not much thought is given to setting of movies in general; if a movie uses a contemporary setting, then it’s obvious that it’s […]
How Important Is Theme?
When asked, “What’s Moby Dick about?” you can answer in two ways: 1) it’s about an old sea-captain searching for the whale that took his leg years ago; 2) it’s about how obsession can destroy you. The first answer refers to the plot of the story while the second comments on its theme. Everyone knows […]
Character is Plot
It’s been said that character is plot. What does that mean? Simply put, the choices the lead character makes drives the direction the story takes. In movies with weak plots, stuff happens and characters do things, but the two aren’t necessarily related. Take your typical slasher film–an anonymous killer stalks a group of teenagers in […]