Most Important Event In Every Movie Is 'The Point Of No Return' - Jill Chamberlain

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  • čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
  • In this Film Courage video, we ask Jill Chamberlain about writing rules and turning points in movies (things to remember when working on plot in a screenplay).
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    Jill Chamberlain is the founder of a screenwriting school, a script consultant, a screenwriter, and the author of The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret to Successful Screenwriting.
    The Nutshell Technique is considered the go-to manual many professionals swear by. It's on the syllabus at film schools all over the world and has been published in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Italian, and in audiobook format.
    As a script consultant, Jill has fixed and fine tuned scripts for Oscar-nominated screenwriters, top television showrunners, screenwriters whose movies have made over a billion dollars at the box office, award-winning independent filmmakers, and for many, many spec script writers.
    In 2006, Jill founded The Screenplay Workshop with Jill Chamberlain (www.thescreenplayworkshop.org) where she has personally taught thousands of screenwriters feature film and episodic television writing. Complete beginners to Emmy-winning screenwriters and award-winning producers enroll in her classes.
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Komentáře • 50

  • @filmcourage
    @filmcourage  Před 2 měsíci +12

    Thank you to Adi in Chicago, IL for supporting Film Courage and for sponsoring this video!

  • @MissMimimimi
    @MissMimimimi Před 2 měsíci +5

    One of my favourite episodes so far, thank you Jill Chamberlain!

  • @Kpictures_NYC
    @Kpictures_NYC Před 2 měsíci +3

    I found what she said about the movie Sideways and how the point of no return was when Miles meets Maya and his friend lies about his book being published. Why this is so interesting is because that particular moment isn't so obvious as a point of no return so as a writer you realize that point can be as small yet still a point of no return. It doesn't have to be this huge building on fire and now the protagonist has to figure a way out. It can be as little as meeting the love interest based off a lie like in Sideways.

  • @johnclay7644
    @johnclay7644 Před 2 měsíci +10

    informative interview.

  • @IOSALive
    @IOSALive Před 2 měsíci +7

    Your videos are magical. Let's collab and weave more enchantment!

  • @Leicaphile27
    @Leicaphile27 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Jill nails it every time. Thank you film courage for this video!

  • @ewalichorowicz4614
    @ewalichorowicz4614 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Jill, this is so informative and such a great explanation about the significance of "The Point of No Return". I was also very impressed with the movie Erin Brokovich, especially the suspense part (as I call it). Some movies leave people inspired, especially those based on a true story. Thank you so much for this great interview!

  • @geoff1391
    @geoff1391 Před 2 měsíci +1

    25 minutes into Good Will Hunting the professor posts Will's bail on condition that they have regular math meetings and that he attends therapy. Checks out

  • @CatacombMan
    @CatacombMan Před 2 měsíci +1

    The point of no return in "Braveheart" is 40 minutes in...crazy but somehow works for a 3 hour movie! Most movies I find it happening at 17 minutes.

  • @ChildKika
    @ChildKika Před 2 měsíci

    This interview is amazing!!! She has explained the trigger incident in such a clear way!

  • @drjmapple5510
    @drjmapple5510 Před měsícem

    Jill! She’s a genius!

  • @Bettytinish
    @Bettytinish Před 2 měsíci

    Definitely a different point of view, but tips ae great. I've tried the exercize with timer and 25 minutes of writing and I was really surprised when I compared the time and the number of words I've written and how the numbers differed depending on multiple things, such as theme and new story vs.old one, but it is great for focusing attention and staying on topic. Thank you

  • @partridge9698
    @partridge9698 Před 2 měsíci

    The point of no return happens around the halfway point in the story. Whether the cause is internal or external, once you're past this point it's easier to go on to the end than it is to go back to the beginning. Hence, no return.

  • @dalemacinnis3385
    @dalemacinnis3385 Před 2 měsíci

    Super helpful. Thank you!

  • @ShesGonnaWriteIt
    @ShesGonnaWriteIt Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you Jill!!

  • @rogberube6422
    @rogberube6422 Před 2 měsíci

    Your videos are so inspiring.

  • @sethflix
    @sethflix Před 2 měsíci

    Brilliant! Much appreciated! Thank you to Film Courage and to Adi in Chicago for this video!

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 měsíci

      Cheers! Great to see Adi getting a little extra love!

  • @deborahpappas7334
    @deborahpappas7334 Před 2 měsíci +1

    I believe some call this event the stunning surprise.

  • @kchronicals5572
    @kchronicals5572 Před 2 měsíci

    I've been finding this channel more and more, while writing and doing research might need to just subscribe already 😅

  • @Anthony-pq4vr
    @Anthony-pq4vr Před 2 měsíci

    Biggest take away for me: The “Catch” or “Big Problem: With the point of no return the protagonist is getting something they want at the exact same time they are getting something they don't want.

  • @danielforlano
    @danielforlano Před 2 měsíci +8

    This sounds like the Call To Adventure. Point of No Return is the fight that builds to the Climax. Midpoint is a change of direction.

    • @hamadecoaching
      @hamadecoaching Před 2 měsíci

      To me, it sounds like plot point #1 or Stunning surprise # 1

  • @filmcourage
    @filmcourage  Před 2 měsíci +3

    What screenwriting rules do you live and write by with no exception?

    • @VinnyTheory
      @VinnyTheory Před 2 měsíci +3

      1. Beat Sheets are incredibly fun, productive, and the heart of the master design
      2. I think it’s important to make a character bio for each main character and then not look at them while you’re writing
      3. Use your own life and your own fears and desires to create your main character, but don’t write about your actual life, that’s boring
      4. It’s not about what you don’t know, it’s about what you do know.
      5. At some point the story starts writing itself, so don’t stand in its way. Let it out

    • @tintinfromindia2103
      @tintinfromindia2103 Před 2 měsíci

      Tell a story..you're not story writer or screen writer..you're first - a story teller and this is what I feel/believe...sounds simple but simple is not simple

  • @Tom_Roberts
    @Tom_Roberts Před 2 měsíci

    "A movie is really a series of events ..." at 9:55 . Few scriptwriters would agree with that statement. I'm pretty sure she doesn't believe that.😄

  • @jonathanrivlin6248
    @jonathanrivlin6248 Před měsícem

    Is there an analog to this rule for a long form novel?

  • @VinnyTheory
    @VinnyTheory Před 2 měsíci +2

    Idk if you can help me out Karen but is the point of no return the inciting incident? Also, a lot of the interviewees you have on have talked about “a choice” the protagonist must make called “the Debate” at the end of act one. If this debate is the same time as the point of no return then isn’t the point of no return a decision? I think it would help if we could relate the point of no return to a big beat

    • @Sharath275
      @Sharath275 Před 2 měsíci

      in her book she mentioned that inciting incident is incident that incites the protagonist, and it will move them toward the POINT OF NO RETURN. The Inciting Incident often has to occur in order for the POINT OF NO RETURN to be a point of no return. I didn't get completely .but i think difference is one is happening to them and other is their choice. Debate , i think, comes after point of return..in which hero is confused whether to take it or not..

    • @kyk3849
      @kyk3849 Před 2 měsíci +1

      Not sure why she continues to confuse new writers, she’s referring to the Inciting Incident but the Point of No Return is actually the Midpoint of the story.

    • @5Gburn
      @5Gburn Před 2 měsíci

      *[Please don't hate me for jumping in]*
      The inciting incident jump starts the story but isn't the point at which the main character has to make a huge choice. Jill makes clear that Point of No Return *happens* to the character. After that is the Debate, at which point the character must make the choice that defines the movie overall.
      Example scenario:
      Inciting incident: Cab driver takes a well-paying job as a getaway driver. The robbers warn him if he leaves, they'll come after him. Everything goes well until:
      Point of No Return: a cop in the bank that's being robbed is retrieving items from his safe deposit box at the time of the robbery and manages to sneak out the back. He rushes into the taxicab, informs him the bank's being robbed, and tells the cabbie where to go. Then...
      The Debate: the cabbie is completely squeezed; does he p*ss off three bank robbers and take the cop where he needs to go, risking severe retaliation, or confess his involvement to the cop (because now he doesn't want to go through with it), risking time in the slammer?

    • @Sharath275
      @Sharath275 Před 2 měsíci

      @@kyk3849 i think she said somewhere interview that nuttshell is not about linear story telling..its all about connection between act one and three..thats focus and the way we should approach the structure.but as u said some books says its the midpoint beat..like parasite..when door bell rings..but i believe that in nuttshell pov its when the friend came and ask him to tutor..and offer money..and we know that family need money..thats tempting for hero..but my main confusion is in flaw and catch..how to find that one..

  • @marcofsw
    @marcofsw Před měsícem

    Isn't the red/blue pill thing in The Matrix the no return moment and also a choice?

  • @tintinfromindia2103
    @tintinfromindia2103 Před 2 měsíci

    Why does the point of no return has to be an external event?
    Now, this is a question that reeks quality 👌 the quality of question determines the quality of output of anything..be it screenwriting, business or life.
    Point of no return starts at inciting incident & with every 4th or 5th page, it builds up towards end of act 2 that leads to climax ..
    There are experts who come up with their own techniques to tell/unfold a story but basics remain the same. I strongly feel that instead of following various pundits opinions on the craft, a writer should first write the story, finish all acts with scene headings, rework..rewrite and only later cross check these pundits. This would go a long way, better way then following a techniques
    Puzo won Oscar & later wanted to understand how to write screenplay & he purchased a book..the very first topic was... read/understand screenplay of Godfather 1.. so there! I assume subscribers coming onto this wonderful channel (already) have enough knowledge of acts, plot points, arcs, theme..so, it's better to tell/write the story you feel & later check the pundits.. good day, everyone

  • @wexwuthor1776
    @wexwuthor1776 Před 2 měsíci +2

    Who is Adi?

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  Před 2 měsíci +1

      She's a viewer who wanted to give back and support the channel so we gave her a shout out and thank you.

  • @Alice_Liddell_1865
    @Alice_Liddell_1865 Před 2 měsíci

    who else opened random movies to check the 25 min mark? 😮‍💨

  • @thisricardopalma
    @thisricardopalma Před 2 měsíci +1

    Yeah, but we are used to 25 years of formulas that are useless today. People need to actually think when you watch a movie, not been spoon fed by it. Sorry hollywood

  • @aymen2949
    @aymen2949 Před měsícem +1

    She is confusing point of no return with plot point 2, how can she teach screenwriting if she doesn't master the craft of screenwriting ?

    • @GrandSlamSilver
      @GrandSlamSilver Před měsícem

      Because it is YOU who doesn’t understand screenwriting 😳. You’re using an arbitrary descriptor from a random screenwriting model, and she is using a more specific description of a plot point that better explains what is supposed to happen AND how important it is.

    • @aymen2949
      @aymen2949 Před měsícem

      ​@@GrandSlamSilver go learn about screenwriting then you'll immidiately remove your comment that shows how much you have no idea about screenwriting

  • @geargeekpdx3566
    @geargeekpdx3566 Před 2 měsíci +3

    Would have been helpful to jump right to examples right away in several films rather than the 8 minutes to the first example in a 12 minute video which is ironic since she spends most of that 8 minutes telling us not to waste time getting to the Point of No Return point.

  • @kyk3849
    @kyk3849 Před 2 měsíci +8

    The Point of No Return is another word for Midpoint not the Inciting Incident, stop confusing new writers!

    • @JMWilyat
      @JMWilyat Před 2 měsíci +6

      The point of no return is actually another name for the 1st Act Break, it’s the moment that propels the characters into the 2nd act and locks them into a new scenario. It’s usually caused by the inciting incident though so it’s well before the midpoint of a story.

    • @eliben4066
      @eliben4066 Před 2 měsíci +1

      The midpoint only happens halfway through the story. I’m pretty sure the point of no return happens before that

    • @kyk3849
      @kyk3849 Před 2 měsíci +1

      Wrong. @@JMWilyat

    • @kyk3849
      @kyk3849 Před 2 měsíci

      Wrong, do your homework. @@eliben4066

    • @partridge9698
      @partridge9698 Před 2 měsíci

      Correct. Once you're past the midway point it's easier to go on to the end than it is to go back to the beginning. Hence, point of no return.

  • @john-lenin
    @john-lenin Před 2 měsíci

    08:40