While my take might be controversial to some, let's discuss why I think many how-to guides have helped break Hollywood and kneecapped countless potential screenwriting careers
I’ve never resonated with the Save the Cat books, despite so many others turning to them and advocating for them. I tried. But the formulas and the genres just don’t connect for me. Like many storytelling systems I find it sends me down rabbit holes and into confusing terminology and exercises that kill the energy of a story for me. I’d much rather find the innate structure of the story I want to tell and do my best to fulfill that potential.
Best of luck on your creative journey. I would say the best way to pull that off is just to watch great films from around the world, read produced scripts good and bad, and consume as much other art as you can. It takes a brutal amount of work.
I've thought for a long time that the worship of the Hero's Quest and Blake Snyder's books is what's mostly put me off blockbuster movies these days. Thanks for making your stand known on the false promises some people have latched onto.
I’ve never resonated with the Save the Cat books, despite so many others turning to them and advocating for them. I tried. But the formulas and the genres just don’t connect for me. Like many storytelling systems I find it sends me down rabbit holes and into confusing terminology and exercises that kill the energy of a story for me. I’d much rather find the innate structure of the story I want to tell and do my best to fulfill that potential.
Best of luck on your creative journey. I would say the best way to pull that off is just to watch great films from around the world, read produced scripts good and bad, and consume as much other art as you can. It takes a brutal amount of work.
I've thought for a long time that the worship of the Hero's Quest and Blake Snyder's books is what's mostly put me off blockbuster movies these days. Thanks for making your stand known on the false promises some people have latched onto.
I'm glad to hear anything I wrote resonated with you, Rich. Thanks for reading.