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Writing Action - Adventure Screenplays *** Great action sequences read like an obstacle course devised by a.

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Presentation on theme: "Writing Action - Adventure Screenplays *** Great action sequences read like an obstacle course devised by a."— Presentation transcript:

1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxCElagfoVA Writing Action - Adventure Screenplays *** Great action sequences read like an obstacle course devised by a highly intelligent madman. - Scribemeetsworld.com

2 Expectations of the Genre Narrative Trajectory (Story or Plot) – The main character knowingly undertakes an impossible mission to save a society from a state of siege, and willingly faces death to defend a personal code of honor that the society shares as a value. Character Ethos – Characters who are willing to die for an idea, code, society, or value battle equally motivated antagonists who are morally different in a showdown moment of truth.

3 What is a Set Piece? A SET PIECE is a sequence that is big and memorable, and pivotal to the plot. This is considered a “water cooler moment” and often used as the focus of the trailer. It can be used in all genres, but especially in action films. Action set sequences are pivotal to the story. If not, take it out. There should be at least EIGHT action set pieces in a feature- length action movie. There are a variety of types of set pieces. Exs. A bar fight, a chase, hand-to-hand fight, a shoot-out, explosions, kidnapping, murders, exotic locations and any variation or combination of these. Ask yourself what the environment will bring out in your hero and use that.

4 Tips about Action Writing Use your biggest and best set piece for the climax; use your 2 nd biggest set piece for the opener in Act 1. Build up your action slowly so that there are ebbs and flows in sequences and story. Use sudden impact by creating chaos where it is not expected. Use humor to show hero’s personality under pressure. Subjective action is when you follow the action through one character’s eyes. Create awkward situations to show absurd things happen in violent situations. Reversal of fortune can make action sequences more interesting. Use set-ups and pay-offs effectively in sequences. Violence should have consequences.

5 Set Piece Examples “Once Upon a Time in the West” - opening scene. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-jSa9_k3M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-jSa9_k3M “North by Northwest” – plane chase. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g458w2X9uHc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g458w2X9uHc “Silence of the Lambs” – Hannibal escapes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He1MTYvyUes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He1MTYvyUes

6 Silence of the Lambs scene

7

8 The good action Protagonist The good guy always wins in the end, even if he or she dies. a. Larger than life character b. Possesses martial arts skills and strategic resources c. Has authority to carry out the mission d. Has moral responsibility to act e. Has a personal code of honor f. Has a full grasp of the required actions g. Remains free of emotional entanglements h. Is willing to die for a cause

9 The good action Antagonist The bad guy drives the action film because his goal is to thwart the hero. a. A personified individual b. Fully dimensional c. Is not stupid d. Forces the Protagonist to act e. Has a morally different POV

10 The Showdown or Moment of Truth Examples In action films, the Showdown or the Moment of Truth is the climax. It shows the main character is willing to die for what he or she believes in. Last of the Mohicans – Heroes confront bad Natives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tiKM4fxY1U&feat ure=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tiKM4fxY1U&feat ure=related Star Wars – Darth Vader tells Luke he’s his father. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAFBMGs4hEc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAFBMGs4hEc Saving Private Ryan – Capt. Miller’s Last Stand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnX_mQ9apu8&fea ture=plcp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnX_mQ9apu8&fea ture=plcp

11 “Writing the Action-Adventure Film: The Moment of Truth” By Neill D. Hicks ScriptFrenzy.org, scriptshadow.blogspot.com, scribemeetsworld.com and an interview with Shane Black in the Guardian newspaper. 2011 Austin Film Festival workshop Writing Action! with screenwriters Rhett Reese "Zombieland," "Deadpool" "Monsters Inc."; Scott Rosenberg, "Beautiful Girls" "ConAir" "Gone in 60 Seconds"; John Turman, "Hulk" "Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer"; Ric Roman Waugh "Felon"; moderated by Alvaro Rodriguez "Machete" Action-Adventure sources

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