How To Write A Script: 40 Plot Points For Feature Films

[DonnaEliza77]

I'm working on a novel and this has given me some ideas on the novel three act structure which I can add to my current plot outline. I guess it's important to see the book as a visual/film. Thanks for posting.

[scrapbook1979]

I don't know if this question has been answered already, could you eloborate on what you meant by 'Genre Colour'?

[MyFlik1]

@scrapbook1979 Unique Genre Element or Color means that if you are doing a sci-fi movie how do your spaceships, aliens and robots look? If you are doing a horror movie how is your scary thing different from all other horror movies? If you are doing a gangster movie how do your thugs dress different, say cool things and kill people different from other mob films? If you are doing a Finding Nemo type animated film how do you show us fish school, current freeways and unique fish POVs?

[scrapbook1979]

@MyFlik1 thanks for that

[XsmilesDaBest88]

Good stuff

[Stiggy20man]

In this video you talk of already having discussed a transition from real world into film world. Can you tell me which other video that you have put up on youtube that does that as I would like to hear the beggining concepts as well. Thanks.

[MyFlik1]

@Stiggy20man That would be the Hook which I talk about in Step 13 Plot points. I will attach the video. Step 13 covers I think 15 basic plot points for any film and I go into more depth on those in that movie. The 20 hour full version talks about Hooks too in several places for different techniques.

[MyFlik1]

@MyFlik1 The attach button seems to be missing. The most important part about a Hook is to show the characters in the middle of a high intensity mess doing what they do best. The main character is usually the first one you see and they need to make a big visual entrance. Your film world needs to shock the audience into it's reality too in a sense. The first three minutes of any film is the most important. Most people know if they are going to like film in the first five minutes.

[Callum170406]

great vid thanks but seems to be missing points 32 thro to 38?? 

[MyFlik1]

There is a 10 minute YouTube video limit and on DVD 12 out of 19 for the whole Writing A Great Script Fast 20 hour class it takes over 30 minutes to explain each of the 40 plot points. I give lots of examples of each plot point and how they work together. On DVD 13 I go through the 40 plot points for Finding Nemo in detail which takes about 40 minutes. These YouTube videos are just samples. I did leave the screen up for the missing ones so you know what they are and can figure them out.

[Callum170406]

@MyFlik1 Thank you for that info - and thanks again for this 40 plot point idea - it was just what I needed to push me through Act 2 of my Sci-Fi film. Your last 6 points - Death onwards - are literal in my film (involving a 'sort of' Second Coming) so it fits in really well:) I've followed the Hollywood format, big budget blockbuster format (20-something beautiful leads etc) so any advice on where to go/what to do once I've perfected the writing?? Ta :)

[MyFlik1]

@Callum170406 This depends on who you know and what you want to do and where you live. If you know a famous actor or someone who knows someone and can get them a script that they would like to do that may work. If you live in LA and know people you already know what to do and where to send it. I tell people to get a group together in their area and start their own film company and make the film themselves if they can to jump start their careers. Amazon has books on where to send scripts too.

[Callum170406]

@MyFlik1 Thank you for the tips...I do know someone who knows someone...please keep up the good work:)

[asachildtobecome]

Antagonist...Good as evil and vis...? In appearances: A.C. Clarck's: Childhhod's End is a great example.. Thoug The Alien or invadaders are the leaders and teachers, they avoid being seen... because they are the....

To be continued..

[Globalizator1]

Antagonist......Can you imagine a film where devil is good and angels with god are perverted bad bustards?

[MyFlik1]

I think I saw a movie like this with Christopher Walken way back when but cannot remember the name. Think about Star Wars told from the perspective of Darth Vader and how different a film that would be.

Anti-heros are very popular these days. You just have to make sure they are likable using lots of character identification and give a good reason for their bad ways.

[DrYagakoro]

Viper GTS

"Can you feel the Love of God!?"

[Globalizator1]

Most important at the process of making video - you need dynamics - seconds per scene not to make it boring.Less computer graphics is also important.

[MyFlik1]

Very true about something needing to happen every few seconds. Most people do not get this since many screenwriting books and classes focus on a few main plot points. This is why I work in layers with ideas. By the time you go to write your scenes you will have lots of things happening every few seconds to shift action and emotions. Otherwise the story will feel flat and boring.

Computer graphics cannot save a bad or boring story, yet many people start animating before they write a script.

[Globalizator1]

Ok - 2012 film for example.Project started from short destruction scene made by visual programmist.

[MyFlik1]

Is your question "Does 2012 use these 40 plot points?" If it is I would say yes, since it is a classic action disaster hero journey movie. This story structure is universal so I do not even have to watch the film again to know it is going to match these 40 pretty closely. The order may be different but the basic narrative structure idea holds.

Try breaking 2012 down for yourself using these 40 plot points as a guide. Opening shots is the hook in the first scene with the small destruction.

[Superfoot]

On the 13th point..what was that word when you are talking about McGuffin- when you said a random -freaky event that pushes the character out of___. I could not make out the word you were sayin.

[MyFlik1]

"...pushes the character out of reverie" meaning something happens that gives the character something to do to accomplish plot goal. In Nemo the first McGuffin is when they find the scuba mask with the dentist's address written on it pointing them to Sydney. Without this clue they would not know where to go to find Nemo. McGuffin's are usually information or clues that suddenly appear helping protagonist with plot goal.

[Superfoot]

Thanx for sharing this info.

off topic.

So what was the photo of a Queen with the Ancient Egyptian pyramids in the background was about? LOL

[MyFlik1]

Your welcome. I think it is very helpful to any screenwriter facing a blank page.

The queen in front of the pyramids metaphor and symbol shot came about by combining symbols mentioned in other parts of the workshop. When writing the script for the 20 hour class, I tracked which images I had already mentioned. I knew I would have to make those anyhow, so they would work again as a Photoshop collage example.

Funny thing is - there is now a shot like this in my new movie. Goddess power shot.

[MyFlik1]

Everyone thinks they know how to write a script - and they do - their way. Writing is a touchy subject to teach. I am a little surprised this particular video is getting 4 stars considering how much information is presented for free and how useful these 40 plot points are for my own writing.

If you do your 6 point formula for writing a script it will drag and be boring and you will get lost between plot points on where to go. No hook = no audience left. Only one surprise = super boring...

[Pleonastikosis]

Thank you very much for an awesome presentation - clear exegesis, and exceptional handling of a difficult (but, thanks to you, eminently manageable) subject!

[MyFlik1]

I use these 40 plot points myself as a structure guide and find it very helpful for planning the story foundation. They are also great for writing quick treatments when you get a whole film idea in one flash. You can also use these for breaking down your favorite films into around 40 plot points to see how they work.

Next step is to develop each of the 40 plot points into scenes with 3 act structure and unique visual styles. Think of each plot point as a little short film.

[CleverDjembe]

Why does art have to be so formulaic?

[MyFlik1]

Have you watched many experimental films? Those are pure art to me and often very hard to sit through. These 40 plot points are just a guide to write a script that does not wander. Just sitting down to write a script and typing will often produce a mess that gets stuck in too many rewrites. Use these 40 as a guide not a rule. Star Wars follows these 40 and so do many other films like Finding Nemo with slight variations.

[CleverDjembe]

Now that I think about it, you make a great point. I have sometimes felt bored when a movie really has no coherence or sense of direction, and these points really do help to make a movie that's engaging and dynamic and keeps you interested.

The art happens when your 40 plot points are combined with a passionate and compelling artistic vision.

[MyFlik1]

Yes - you still need to come up with a great original story idea!

Often films that are not planned out well with plot points will fall apart in the middle of Act 2 and just wander around looking for an ending.

You can also use these 40 plot points when you get a story idea that comes into your mind almost from start to finish in a flash of inspiration. Fill in a sentence for what happens at each plot point then come back to it when you are ready to write the script or develop it more.