tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post9138882059158858255..comments2023-10-15T05:01:43.528-07:00Comments on Bamboo Killers: Where is your inciting incident?Emily Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-2582514435968735562011-05-13T10:02:24.350-07:002011-05-13T10:02:24.350-07:00great story, but you put the wrong tittle to it, I...great story, but you put the wrong tittle to it, I feel a little disappointed at the end.viagra onlinehttp://www.iservepharmacy.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-33120129721768652472010-10-30T22:19:54.559-07:002010-10-30T22:19:54.559-07:00For my money, it all depends ultimately, on how lo...For my money, it all depends ultimately, on how long the movie is. A three hour drama might not get to it until, 30 minutes in. I don't see a lot of 3 hour long movies and I tend to agree with the majority of people on this post. You need to get to the point relatively quickly, not only to move forward, but just based on our current ADD, phone checking society. Probably, sometimes, certain genres also have alot to do with it, as well as mood of the story. For example, most comedy moves quickest out of all the genres in my opinion. Unless it is a sub genre of the genre, such as "romantic" comedy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-71609823346999015802010-03-13T00:59:48.650-08:002010-03-13T00:59:48.650-08:00Except Jack sees Rose while he's playing poker...Except Jack sees Rose while he's playing poker before they get on the boat, folds his cards, and gets on the boat. That's danged early in the film (which I do not own on DVD or I'd have the exact minute and second).wcmartellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-84653532775819466112010-03-11T18:28:29.893-08:002010-03-11T18:28:29.893-08:00"I think if we're 15 minutes in and we..."I think if we're 15 minutes in and we're still waiting for the story to start, something's wrong."<br /><br />That's what I said. Do you see that word "think" up there? That's normally a word people use when they want to indicate they are expressing their opinion. I have an opinion, this is my blog, and there you have it. The thing is, I put my name here. I stand by my opinions. Not only do you have nothing to say, but you don't even have the guts to make up a fake name.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-70102736760109164252010-03-11T13:50:51.637-08:002010-03-11T13:50:51.637-08:00I'm sorry it bothers you so much, Whoever You ...I'm sorry it bothers you so much, Whoever You Are, but I discussing what makes a good film is what makes us all better writers, whether we've sold something or not.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-21041648854691081612010-03-11T13:49:34.011-08:002010-03-11T13:49:34.011-08:00"..the basic rules of storytelling"
one..."..the basic rules of storytelling"<br /><br />one of the basic rules of storytelling is that the inciting incident must occur within the 15 minute mark? wow. i must've missed that one as did scores of other professional screenwriters. silly james cameron, what was he thinking having rose not even meet jack until WAY past the 15 minute mark in titanic? someone needs to teach that man the basics of storytelling! perhaps a seasoned vet like emily?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-54699796662748462162010-03-11T13:44:14.494-08:002010-03-11T13:44:14.494-08:00what then to make of all of the great (produced) s...what then to make of all of the great (produced) scripts with inciting incidents after the 15 min mark? i guess they're all "wrong".<br /><br />i'm reminded of this post from ken levine: http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2007/03/beware-of-this-man.html<br /><br />forcibly twisting a story into a generic, pre-formatted beatsheet will result in it sounding forced and predictable. <br /><br />at least thats my take. as someone who hasn't sold shit, i'm hardly in a position to give advice and edicts about whats right and wrong.<br />i usually leave that up to the pros. you know..people speaking from a place of real experience.<br />i'd hate to mislead fellow amateurs by conveying my opinions as rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-89744060317253262532010-03-11T12:45:26.512-08:002010-03-11T12:45:26.512-08:00Great post. This is a lesson, for whatever reason...Great post. This is a lesson, for whatever reason, that us writers seems to want to resist in the beginning. Like OUR story is so amazing that we can ignore the basic rules of storytelling. ;)Mollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09737883086499020291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-28005850298393107582010-03-11T11:09:16.195-08:002010-03-11T11:09:16.195-08:00I've got a whole thing about that three-act st...I've got a whole thing about that three-act structure, too. I don't go with the three act thing. I can fake it for meetings, but I think of scripts as a series of turning points. I think if you limit every story to having only three pieces, you limit your creative potential.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-35474605580777125002010-03-11T10:52:22.247-08:002010-03-11T10:52:22.247-08:00Script Wilted
I would argue that going to Vegas s...Script Wilted<br /><br />I would argue that going to Vegas starts the adventure. The waking up is the act break since they are in a whole new world at that point. They have all changed in some way. <br /><br />If waking up is the inciting, where does the act break hit?<br /><br />-JimJim Endecotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484816992028286627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-67215022937796351342010-03-11T10:42:28.137-08:002010-03-11T10:42:28.137-08:00Jim, I was just thinking that very thing. I'm ...Jim, I was just thinking that very thing. I'm still thinking. That's an excellent question.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-30970923159357233982010-03-11T10:42:28.138-08:002010-03-11T10:42:28.138-08:00Usually like to think of inciting incident as what...Usually like to think of inciting incident as whatever action or event causes the change that will propel the story forward. Agree with Emily here.<br /><br />P.10-12 usually works great. And in the hangover it's gotta be the waking up. Going to Vegas doesn't start them on their quest, the waking up does.Scripted Withttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09874087793227842513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-28839929695640314152010-03-11T10:40:39.476-08:002010-03-11T10:40:39.476-08:00This thread got me thinking. Thanks Emily.
My que...This thread got me thinking. Thanks Emily.<br /><br />My question is; Is it possible for people to see different scenes in the same movie as the inciting incident, act breaks, etc?<br /><br />Is it set in stone or do we interpret different moments differently?<br /><br />If this is possible does this indicate problems with the script?<br /><br />-JimJim Endecotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484816992028286627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-37752330084358482552010-03-11T10:30:59.375-08:002010-03-11T10:30:59.375-08:00In regards to the Hangover;
I would say the incit...In regards to the Hangover;<br /><br />I would say the inciting incident is going to vegas and or starting to party. This causes the act break of waking up and missing their buddy.<br /><br />-JimJim Endecotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484816992028286627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-54785486934954203592010-03-11T04:27:32.133-08:002010-03-11T04:27:32.133-08:00Inciting incident and call to action...
strictly ...Inciting incident and call to action...<br /><br />strictly opinion here, but genre and story will dictate how soon this takes place. A drama might need more backstory and development vs. a hot tub, lol.<br /><br />If a reader is getting antsy and forced to hold breath until page 29 it's going to be difficult to get a "recommend".Brian Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277096481969362359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-72170380536579164822010-03-10T22:52:39.069-08:002010-03-10T22:52:39.069-08:00"The Golfing Goat Rule" - if your script..."The Golfing Goat Rule" - if your script is about a golfing goat, the audience is waiting for the goat to start golfing. The longer it takes for the goat to start golfing, the more the audience/reader starts to wonder when this damned story is going to *start*!wcmartellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-90401507387442952692010-03-10T22:41:30.365-08:002010-03-10T22:41:30.365-08:00You know, I was in agreement with most everyone he...You know, I was in agreement with most everyone here until a few days ago when I picked up an early draft of a script I'd written that I've since rebooted to a director's liking.<br /><br />Guess what? I like the early draft best. Granted, the inciting incident happens much later than it does in the reboot, but the story actually has room to BREATHE.<br /><br />Sure the reboot is leaner, meaner and faster. On the other hand, the characters aren't as easy to connect with as they were previously.<br /><br />It's like having a new neighbor. Sure you may like him, but not as much as you like the neighbor across the street who you've known for ten years now.<br /><br />Anyone else have this problem?sean1https://www.blogger.com/profile/12286461467980818381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-47578697150918026092010-03-10T20:40:04.684-08:002010-03-10T20:40:04.684-08:00I don't think there should be a specific page ...I don't think there should be a specific page number, either, but I think if we're 15 minutes in and we're still waiting for the story to start, something's wrong.<br /><br />"Why is there a movie" is a pretty good way to put it.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-21253112247724912452010-03-10T20:18:03.155-08:002010-03-10T20:18:03.155-08:00Wow. Ok, when structuring a scene, we think about ...Wow. Ok, when structuring a scene, we think about the antecedent event, which may be almost the same thing, however, I believe the inciting incident in most cases is what answers the question, "Why is there a movie?" As opposed to any specific page number, however, I do agree that a movie titled Hot Tub Time Machine should indeed show either one or the other, or both :) Sooner than you say.... I also agree about picking up the pace.Batmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01367869692794353013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-48318306707848827162010-03-10T18:49:02.741-08:002010-03-10T18:49:02.741-08:00I believe the inciting incident is whatever event ...I believe the inciting incident is whatever event causes the necessary action to follow. So going to Vegas isn't that big a deal. The story starts when they can't find Doug, because their mission throughout the film was to find him.<br /><br />In Pitch Black, I would say the crash is the inciting incident, because the rest of the film is about getting off the planet. The monsters are just an added complication.<br /><br />As for Up, I'd say his wife's death is the inciting incident, because the rest of the film is about him learning to move on by following the dream they had together.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-33633868596628844572010-03-10T18:46:31.460-08:002010-03-10T18:46:31.460-08:00the title is a spoiler in itself, which ruins the ...the title is a spoiler in itself, which ruins the "SURPRISE!" factor for me. Oh yeah, the trailer gave away too much.Sabina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14679639206346030919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-66402227114793186952010-03-10T18:42:27.446-08:002010-03-10T18:42:27.446-08:00What do you consider an inciting incident? How ab...What do you consider an inciting incident? How about Pitch Black? What page do the monsters take their first victim? (pg27) Or do you consider the inciting incident the ship crash?<br /><br />Beware confusing the break into 2nd act (to use a Save the Cat term) and inciting incident. In Hangover, I believe the inciting incident is going to Vegas. The break into 2 is waking up (also the Hangover fucking sucks. All the funny parts are before they wake up.)<br /><br />Or look at Up. When does the house rise into the sky for the first time? (pg 24) Is that the inciting incident or the break into 2?just some guy trying to writehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404386659136188555noreply@blogger.com