Why Movies Fail.
I embarked on the mission of writing a movie (what was I thinking.....)
I thought - "Hmmm what keeps you glued to your seat? Hey, I'm a writer, this can't be so hard. I'll read every book on the subject, binge-watch a reel of every cinematic masterpiece and do a few courses." After information overload I realised there's a distinct and precise formula to this movie-writing thing.
Ok then. Here I go.
I sat at my computer.
Then I stared at the screen.
Then I sat with a pad and pen.
Then I doodled.
Then I did a workout, some laundry, walked the dog and made dinner.
The next day I sat at my computer. But this time I closed the lid.
And I just sat with my thoughts.
What do I want to say? No, not the plot. Not the dialogue. What do I really want to say. To impart. I have, potentially, a global audience trapped in theatres for 90 or so minutes. To entertain. To educate. To connect with. To tug at heartstrings. To unsettle. To make go deep into themselves and question their own morality.
In Hollywood movies are rushed through studios. There are deadlines, milestones, marketing plans, timeliness, investors to please and profits to realise. All at the expense of creativity, truth, excellence. There's no time for finessing. Not even checking the script to see if it conforms to the basic formulas of Screenwriting 101. It has to go out NOW.
Wrong.
It should go out when it's ready. Because otherwise you, the audience will know it wasn't.
It's a gruelling process. I'm learning from my highly esteemed co-writers and talented producer that above all - when you sit with your story and really ponder slowly, thoughtfully, "What do I want the audience to feel every step of the way" you may just achieve excellence.
Fingers crossed.....