Learning THIS Story Structure Changed My Screenwriting Career - Christian Elder

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  • čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
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    Christian Elder is a screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. He has been a finalist for Tribeca All Access, a semi-finalist for the International Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Award, a quarterfinalist for the ScreenCraft Play contest and a quarterfinalist for the Academy Awards Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. His work written for the stage has been recently developed at the Billie Holiday Theatre through the Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop and Urban Stages, both in New York. He has written and directed two short films and is the creator and executive producer of the new crime fiction anthology podcast Hell, California.
    Elder's Hell, California, is a hardboiled crime fiction podcast anthology series (co-produced by Jeremy Foley). It takes place in a mysterious, mythical California border town called Hell. Each episode is an original standalone noir story, often about greed, lust and murder. In March 2020, Elder, Foley and a team of six writers formed an online TV writers’ room during the pandemic, resulting in this series.
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Komentáře • 91

  • @osw330904
    @osw330904 Před 2 lety +110

    I feel the word “beat” is the most ambiguous term in all of screenwriting and filmmaking

  • @NIKONGUY1960
    @NIKONGUY1960 Před 2 lety +39

    Life goals: be good enough to be interviewed by Film Courage.

    • @mrcanarsie
      @mrcanarsie Před 2 lety +6

      I think you just have to be breathing

    • @rebeccaoliver7977
      @rebeccaoliver7977 Před 2 lety +3

      @@mrcanarsie , different interviews resonate with people differently. So many factors weigh in -- experience, what's on our mind at the moment, the project or problem with which we're struggling. I've heard an interview and didn't get much from it only to hear it again a year later and find valuable meaning. I'm appreciative Film Courage took the chance on firing up this YT channel. This collection of interviews makes an incredible contribution to capturing what is on the minds of filmmakers at this point in history.

    • @MOPFACE
      @MOPFACE Před 2 lety +1

      Life goal: interviewing Karen from Film Courage.
      She's probably heard more about writing than any single person who's been on the other side of the camera

  • @dulceypicante122
    @dulceypicante122 Před 2 lety +22

    I think creating a logline for each beat of the story (whether you use this 12 beat structure or something else entirely) is brilliant. Seems really obvious but it’s never occurred to me to do that.

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +5

      Guess you will have to test it out and see if it helps your process.

    • @yorkipudd1728
      @yorkipudd1728 Před 2 lety +1

      It certainly helped me to headline scenes in a quirky way: Bob pushes Claire off the cliff and everybody gasps.
      I also imagine a trailer, as discussed in another video, which helps me balance comedy/action/dramatic beats to hook the viewer in different ways. I have 90 seconds to grab your attention so visualise what scenes/lines/shots will show narrative and also create a reaction that makes my story be one you mentally note and want to see. Create a puzzle, put two pieces together in the trailer, and hope they want to see the whole jigsaw finished.

    • @morningcoffee1111
      @morningcoffee1111 Před 2 lety +1

      @@yorkipudd1728 do you remember which video that was?

    • @yorkipudd1728
      @yorkipudd1728 Před 2 lety

      @@morningcoffee1111 sorry, not without searching myself, but it was marketing based, not script craft. If I find it I'll reply.

  • @rockazar5436
    @rockazar5436 Před 2 lety +6

    Thank you, Christian, for sharing your time and insights on story! Thanks Film Courage for bringing these interviews with pros to share with us. The efforts and variations on these themes is very much appreciated. I recognized the amount of work and prep required to bring these conversations to us and the information presented is precious for those who recognize it. The variety of speakers is pretty great as writers can hear variations on ideas and find the gold nuggets that resonate with them.

  • @Andrea-nom
    @Andrea-nom Před 2 lety +37

    My big take was - find what is necessary for the story. Don’t overload the scene. I think the title of this video is a taaaaad misleading.

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +2

      Hi Andrea, thank you for your comment. We agree that this title is not quite right, please let us know if you have any suggestions.

    • @Andrea-nom
      @Andrea-nom Před 2 lety +2

      For me it was about Feeling the Story and finding your voice. The speaker spoke about his inspirations. One of his favorites taught him about the nuances of ones own writing. It the beats - because those are generic but the spaces in between. So maybe a title about finding once’s own style and voice.

  • @krepes8685
    @krepes8685 Před 2 lety +16

    Personally, I’ve found using Save the Cat generally useful for planning out my screenplay for my pilot. Beyond that, when I get writing, it generally just flows how I feel, and some ideas may change causing future plans and scenes to change. I feel flexibility is good, but a solid beat sheet can help you get off the ground.

  • @concernedcitizen7385
    @concernedcitizen7385 Před 2 lety +4

    Great interview. Great content... and as someone who has also had a lifelong battle with a stammer, I really appreciate Christian’s effort here. 👍🏽🙏

  • @ComicPower
    @ComicPower Před 2 lety +5

    I really liked the EKG analogy. It made a lot of sense.

  • @nesm2831
    @nesm2831 Před 2 lety +5

    I needed this direction badly. Thank you for posting this!!

  • @dcgarrett68
    @dcgarrett68 Před 2 lety +5

    He says a lot without saying much.

  • @therasbull
    @therasbull Před 2 lety

    Great summary

  • @diegooland1261
    @diegooland1261 Před 2 lety +17

    You lost me.

  • @ellenlewitt
    @ellenlewitt Před 2 lety +1

    The funny thing is, as a musician, I totally get what Elder is saying when he describes the things expressed and what you "ff-ee--ee-ll" in-between chords. So why can't I use that analogy to understand the concept of the beat?

  • @ianhtexas
    @ianhtexas Před 2 lety +1

    🍻 The music analogy is spot on. 🎶 I don’t think the spaces between the beats have ever really been like charted or mapped, diagramed or named or whatever lol.

  • @SCx4
    @SCx4 Před 2 lety +1

    What he's saying about Monk's music and the space between beats reminds me of Hemingway's Iceberg Theory.

  • @waywardsuol
    @waywardsuol Před 2 lety

    if you have audible, Portrait of the Artist is included in the subscription

  • @filmcourage
    @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +4

    How did you figure out your voice?

    • @lonjohnson5161
      @lonjohnson5161 Před 2 lety +2

      Still working on it.

    • @SirHazeGaming
      @SirHazeGaming Před 2 lety +1

      The most goofiest things I put together from jokes and my flippant observations resonate with people the most.

  • @hankbringhamsome9694
    @hankbringhamsome9694 Před 2 lety

    AN INTERESTING WAY FOR A SCREENPLAY THAT I DEFINITELY SEEN IT LIKE A ZEENITH!!! THANK YOU & GOD BLESS YOU 🙏🏻🙏🏽🎚💯 LOVE IS LOVE 💫🤟🏼🎶♎

  • @timharry5168
    @timharry5168 Před 2 lety

    Love this!!!?

  • @GopalChatterjeeezioisgod
    @GopalChatterjeeezioisgod Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +2

      Awesome, thank you Jacob's Lair! We appreciate you supporting this channel. Love that you are finding value here.

    • @GopalChatterjeeezioisgod
      @GopalChatterjeeezioisgod Před 2 lety +1

      @@filmcourage You guys are my Film School, it is the least I can do, to be of service. Thank you. :)

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +2

      Thank you again! Is there is anything you would like to know more about? We may have video recommendations if we have already covered it.

    • @GopalChatterjeeezioisgod
      @GopalChatterjeeezioisgod Před 2 lety +3

      @@filmcourage not at the moment... i have been archiving your videos into my library to get a better understanding of screenwriting, how to pitch to Netflix, golden rules and many more subjects, for the time being, Y 'all have done enough videos for me to study, if something comes up, I will definitely let you know in the comment section of your next video.
      Once Again, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, and keep up with such excellent, eye opening Knowledge drop videos.

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +2

      Cheers! We'll keep doing our best. And wishing you the best with your work.

  • @AntonioSilva-ld4dq
    @AntonioSilva-ld4dq Před 2 lety

    To me the beat is like a wave in the sea some are like those tubes where a surfer gets

  • @choose2behappy699
    @choose2behappy699 Před 2 lety +1

    David Mamet is one of the best Author!

  • @Wordsley
    @Wordsley Před 2 lety +1

    These Rock!

  • @SuperBella7777
    @SuperBella7777 Před 2 lety +10

    I waste my time watching this tips. There is no tips here!

  • @damc8415
    @damc8415 Před 2 lety +12

    You can edit out the first five minutes of this video and lose nothing.

  • @lalbihari6663
    @lalbihari6663 Před 2 lety +1

    What is EKG??

    • @rockazar5436
      @rockazar5436 Před 2 lety +1

      czcams.com/video/xIZQRjkwV9Q/video.html

    • @rockazar5436
      @rockazar5436 Před 2 lety +1

      The heart beat representation looks like the up and down pattern used to describe the plot.

  • @jasonhughes9653
    @jasonhughes9653 Před 2 lety

    this helped me a lot. Thanks Christian and film courage :)

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety

      Nice to hear that, thanks for sharing Jason. Our best to you and your work.

  • @soft8460
    @soft8460 Před 2 lety +2

    ???🤔
    i see beats as points at which the mood and tone changes...

  • @leonoradompor8706
    @leonoradompor8706 Před 2 lety +1

    I am just an ant comparing to Hollywood filming.

  • @Lark572
    @Lark572 Před 2 lety +5

    JUST WRITE IT. Twelve best outline might drive you insane and keep you from getting it done

    • @Lark572
      @Lark572 Před 2 lety

      Meant to say beat not best obviously

    • @BlackPhi1ip
      @BlackPhi1ip Před 2 lety +2

      Agreed. I feel like any sort of structures or outlines help in rewrites, but at least for me all that matters is I get the story on the pages

    • @melodymundy5985
      @melodymundy5985 Před 2 lety

      @@BlackPhi1ip so true! Just write the story and after a few table reads use or not the suggestions then do a beat sheet. Now you really know your story to make changes.

  • @walkerstark4564
    @walkerstark4564 Před 2 lety +3

    Who are these people on this channel who are supposed to be such storytelling experts? What has this guy done? I'm not just being a dick, he sounds intelligent but what has he done to be able to impart such wisdom? I looked at his imdb it's pretty slim. Maybe he has some great screenplays being developed or in his draw I don't know. How about getting a Paul Schrader, Robert Towne, someone with a resume that's worth listening to ?

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety

      Hi Walker, we found an interview with Paul Schrader. Maybe you will enjoy this one - czcams.com/video/SM3-45tbdPU/video.html

  • @OneRising
    @OneRising Před 2 lety +12

    Thank you for finally interviewing some more People of Color in your channel!

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 lety +1

      We always do our best. We encourage you to visit this playlist - bit.ly/3jxvEE3

  • @sidorovnikita8652
    @sidorovnikita8652 Před 2 lety +6

    That was nice to come and give his opinion but his tone and voice are so pretentious ... i just remembered the south park episode when everyone was driving hybrid cars.

    • @juju10683
      @juju10683 Před rokem

      People talk like that after speech therapy

  • @theonicommittee8402
    @theonicommittee8402 Před 2 lety +5

    Very pretentious

    • @the-seed-sower761
      @the-seed-sower761 Před 2 lety +1

      🤫🤫

    • @rockazar5436
      @rockazar5436 Před 2 lety +4

      The man shared his time and insight for the benefits of others. I’m grateful for his sharing.

    • @nesm2831
      @nesm2831 Před 2 lety +2

      He knows more than most of us. Any advice or direction is highly useful.

    • @juju10683
      @juju10683 Před rokem

      Most people in film are highly highly pretentious