Thursday, November 29, 2012

Screenwriting Structure Series Part 11: The Inciting Incident Part 1

(Here is more about screenwriting structure from The Unknown Writer.  )


About The Unknown Screenwriter

A working screenwriter and producer, The Unknown Screenwriter makes his home in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California and somewhere in the state of New Mexico with just a little bit of Los Angeles thrown in when he feels he can breathe the air.
     I'm glad to here readers are enjoying this articles by The Unknown Writer. I think they are great to. They are explaining exactly what I have been telling writers. It is nice to have a second party perspective.)



The last post on screenwriting structure covered the first ten pages of the screenplay and your Protagonist's ordinary world. I won't revisit it except to say that you really should consider showing us your Protagonist's ordinary world and make sure that ordinary world is relevant to what's currently happening to your Protagonist. I'm always getting asked about the ordinary world and a lot of you seem to think we're talking about the Protagonist's everyday life and while that might be what you need to show us depending on your story -- that's really not what we're talking about when talking about the ordinary world. 

What I usually find is that a lot of screenplays get the ordinary world just a little bit wrong. Remember, the ordinary world that's pertinent to the story. The ordinary world that your Protagonist is caught up in right now! Show us that world and it should be easier to get your story moving along.

The Inciting Incident

Some call it the catalyst. I'm partial to inciting incident and I'll tell you why. It's self explanatory, plain and simple. Let's take a look at the definition of inciting and incident: 

incite -verb 
to stir, encourage, or urge on; stimulate or prompt to action: to incite a crowd to riot. 

incident-noun
  1. an individual occurrence or event.
  2. a distinct piece of action, or an episode, as in a story or play.
  3. something that occurs casually in connection with something else.
  4. something appertaining or attaching to something else.
  5. an occurrence of seemingly minor importance, esp. involving nations or factions between which relations are strained and sensitive, that can lead to serious consequences, as an outbreak of hostilities or a war: border incident; international incident.
  6. an embarrassing occurrence, esp. of a social nature.
  7. -adjective
  8. likely or apt to happen (usually fol. by to).
  9. naturally appertaining: hardships incident to the life of an explorer.
  10. conjoined or attaching, esp. as subordinate to a principal thing.
  11. falling or striking on something, as light rays.
Here, we're discussing the inciting incident within the context of screenwriting structure. 

Also called the CATALYST, INCITING EVENT, TRAUMATIC EVENT, HOOK, etc. 

What the hell is it? 

From my perspective, it seems to be one of the major things LACKING from many screenwriters attempting to break into the industry and start getting paid. 

The INCITING INCIDENT is the LIFE-CHANGING EVENT that PROPELS the Protagonist out of his or her Ordinary World and into the New World which eventually leads him or her to finding both mental and physical happiness. Your inciting incident needs to GRAB the audience. Even if we've seen this event before, give it a twist so the audience's prediction is turned upside down and is dead wrong! 

It's that one thing that happens to your Hero that throws his or her life completely off balance thereby creating instant conflict and tension. 

It's that one thing that happens to your Hero that makes him or her TAKE ACTION. 

It's that one thing that happens to your Hero that makes him or her come up with a goal. 

The inciting incident can even be a new opportunity presented to the Protagonist. A trip. A new job. Whatever. 

The inciting incident, however appealing it may be to your Protagonist, should be an immediate source of conflict thereby making your Protagonist want to RESOLVE this conflict but the only way to resolve the conflict is for your Hero to take ACTION. 

The inciting incident you come up with for your screenplay should cause your Hero to transition from NEED to DESIRE. 

Need? Sure. At the beginning of your story, your Protagonist is in dire NEED of something. Maybe it's love. Maybe it's money. Maybe it's a job. Maybe it's to get off drugs. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Just make sure it's a good need. If it is something tangible like money, make sure you create a damn good reason for that need. We don't NEED to see your Protagonist jumping through obstacles throughout your entire screenplay so he can get enough money for the cigarette machine. Although on second thought, that might actually be funny if handled correctly. See Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. I normally don't like movies like these but this one had what it takes to actually make me laugh. 

Desire? Sure. After you've identified your Protagonist's need, that very need should transition into desire. The inciting incident should be like a LURE to your Protagonist to quench that desire and, just like that elusive brown trout (yeah, I fly fish) that splits as soon as he sees your shadow hit the water, your Protagonist should swim around that lure or fly trying to decide whether or not he should take a bite. 

Your Protagonist must then attempt to satisfy his or her desire by taking action but of course this action is futile at first. 

Make no mistake, when your Protagonist does decide to take that bite. AND HE SHOULD, it needs to be his decision to do so. 

I see a lot of screenplays with really weak inciting incidents but pretty good 2nd Acts (assuming 3 Act Structure). Somehow, we've been lulled into thinking that the 1st Act doesn't have to be as great as the successive acts, especially, Act 2. 

I'm here to tell you that setting up your Protagonist for his or her journey ahead is worth doing well. If you do it well enough, we will want to read through the rest of your screenplay. We will want to sit through the rest of your movie. 

Coming up with the perfect INCITING INCIDENT should be reasonably easy to to develop IF YOU KNOW YOUR PROTAGONIST! The better you know him or her, the easier it should be to create the perfect inciting incident that propels him or her into action. 

I plead with you to give your inciting incident some deep conscious thought. The better it is, the better your screenplay will be and the easier it will be for us to read through it and watch your movie. 



Go, writers! Go!


I have been getting a lot of request for loglines. I give different prices . Since I have so many requests for this service, I decided to set a single fix price.

Logline: $5.00 Flat Fee

A synopsis or summery is required. It well be used to form the logline. The logline is just one line.



Screenplays

Critique: $50.00 Flat Fee, 

 Includes evaluating the basis elements of a script

  •  Introduction
  •  Development
  •  Climax
  •  Conclusion
  • Character development 
  •  Mid point development

Critiques also provide suggestions for improvements and enhancement. 


Payments are made by Paypal or cashier check by mail.


Other services are at regular price.



Query Letters: $25.00 Flat Fee  


Editing: $46.00 Flat Fee
  •  Evaluating formatting to industry standards
  •  Spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.

Turnaround time:

Editing: 2 weeks

Critique: 2 weeks
Query Letters: 2 weeks


Feel free to contact me at ahicks4298@q.com or  ahicks4298@msn.com.
Feel to call me at (360) 696-4298. Ask for Frances.

I also critique and edit books. I am currently organizing the service prices for working on books. If you are interested in me critiquing or editing a novel you have written, feel free contact me.
*
*
Film script format, writing film scripts, screenwriting services, coverage service, screenplay formatting margins, screenplay writing, screenplay format example, Search terms: screenplays, screenwriting service, edit and critique service, writing screenplays, screenplay format, loglines, query letter, film scripts, movie scripts, screenplay format, screenplay synopsis, script synopsis, treatment, proofreading service for writers, novels, writing services, fiction writing, film script format, writing film scripts, screenwriting service, coverage service, screenplay critique service, screenplay format margins, screenplay writing, screenplay format example, free writing tutorials,   script consultant, screenwriting jobs, film production companies

WRITER'S DIGEST TUTORIAL: Crafting Sizzling Dialogue

Today's Issue:
From the Editor
Featured Tutorials | How to Craft Sizzling Dialogue AND 5 Easy Ways to Avoid Burnout
Missed a Previous Tutorial?
This Week's Live Webinar | WordPress Websites 101: Best Practices, Tools, and Growth Strategies 
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YAY vs. YEA vs. YEAH

From the Editor 

I hope you were able to enjoy more time with your family and additional time writing over the past week. If you happened to brave the stores on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, I hope you found the deals you were searching for! If you are still looking for the perfect gift for a few on your list--remember that you can gift a membership to Writer's Digest Tutorials

I have a plethora of great information for you this week, so let's jump right in . . . 

Q: What is the fastest way to improve my manuscript?
A: Dialogue.
Of course, there are many ways to improve your manuscript. However, dialogue is the fastest way to improve--or sink--your manuscript. No one likes reading unrealistic dialogue and agents will stop reading quickly if dialogue isn't well-crafted. This week's first new tutorial is taught by best-selling author James Scott Bell. How to Craft Sizzling Dialogue provides techniques that can be applied instantly to your writing. 

5 Easy Ways to Avoid Burnout, taught by Jodell Sadler, was also added this week. With the competitiveness of today's literary market, it's easy to see why writers (possibly you?) can feel burned-out from time to time--and many even begin to question their writing dreams. If you are burned-out or if you simply want to avoid burnout, this tutorial is for you. 

Back to commonly misused words! The three I analyze for you this week are yayyea, and yeah

I'd highly recommend taking out a WD Tutorials membership if you haven't already. 90+ tutorials are available to you, at least one new tutorial is added weekly, and many new tutorials are in development. Please feel free topreview the many tutorials immediately available to you through the WD Tutorials site

Wishing you only the best! 

Julie Oblander
Online Education Manager
Writer's Digest Tutorials

Double Feature Week | How to Craft Sizzling Dialogue AND 5 Easy Ways to Avoid Burnout

How to Craft Sizzling Dialogue 

Dialogue is the fastest way to improve--or sink--a manuscript. Discover techniques that can be applied instantly to your writing. Learn how to craft sizzling dialogue and elevate your manuscript in the eyes of agents, editors, and readers! 

This tutorial is taught by James Scott Bell (jamesscottbell.com). Jim is the author of the mega-bestseller for writers, Plot & Structure, and numerous thrillers, including Deceived, Try Dying, and Watch Your Back. His novellaOne More Lie was the first self-published work to be nominated for an International Thriller Writers Award. He served as the fiction columnist for Writer's Digest magazine and has written highly popular craft books for Writer's Digest Books, including: Revision & Self-EditingThe Art of War for Writers, and Conflict & Suspense

In this 58-minute tutorial video, you'll learn: 
>>The 8 Essentials of Great Dialogue 
>>The 12 Tools for Creating Dazzling Talk 
>>How to use dialogue attributions correctly 
>>Where to put dialogue in your novel queries, synopses, or other proposal 

Preview this new tutorial or subscribe to watch it today > 

* * * * * 

5 Easy Ways to Avoid Burnout 

Publishing houses closing to submissions. Agents are taking on new clients by conference connections or referrals only. The picture book market remains tight. The world of self-publishing opens; but self-publishing requires that many authors pay high prices for editing and e-book development. No wonder why it's so easy for a writer to feel burned-out and question their dreams. It doesn't have to be this way! This tutorial will help you revive your love of writing. 

This tutorial is presented by Jodell Sadler. Jodell earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. Jodell teaches at numerous conferences and works with writers and illustrators to hone their picture book projects. 

In this 20-minute tutorial video, you'll discover how to make PLANS. There are easy ways to avoid burnout--enjoy every step and free your inner artist to dream and do more! 

Preview this new tutorial or subscribe to watch it today >

Missed a Previous Tutorial?

Try one of these . . .
Transform Your Novel from Good to Great: The Elements of Story 
Write Your Novel in 90 Days
Your Novel's First 50 Pages
Pitch Perfect: How to Pitch Your Fiction to an Agent or Editor

A new tutorial is added every week at Writer's Digest Tutorials. Don't miss out! Subscribe today ORdownload tutorials individually through the Writer's Digest Shop.


Go, writers! Go!


I have been getting a lot of request for loglines. I give different prices . Since I have so many requests for this service, I decided to set a single fix price.

Logline: $5.00 Flat Fee

A synopsis or summery is required. It well be used to form the logline. The logline is just one line.



Screenplays

Critique: $50.00 Flat Fee, 

 Includes evaluating the basis elements of a script

  •  Introduction
  •  Development
  •  Climax
  •  Conclusion
  • Character development 
  •  Mid point development

Critiques also provide suggestions for improvements and enhancement. 


Payments are made by Paypal or cashier check by mail.


Other services are at regular price.



Query Letters: $25.00 Flat Fee  


Editing: $46.00 Flat Fee
  •  Evaluating formatting to industry standards
  •  Spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.

Turnaround time:

Editing: 2 weeks

Critique: 2 weeks
Query Letters: 2 weeks


Feel free to contact me at ahicks4298@q.com or  ahicks4298@msn.com.
Feel to call me at (360) 696-4298. Ask for Frances.

I also critique and edit books. I am currently organizing the service prices for working on books. If you are interested in me critiquing or editing a novel you have written, feel free contact me.
*
*
Film script format, writing film scripts, screenwriting services, coverage service, screenplay formatting margins, screenplay writing, screenplay format example, Search terms: screenplays, screenwriting service, edit and critique service, writing screenplays, screenplay format, loglines, query letter, film scripts, movie scripts, screenplay format, screenplay synopsis, script synopsis, treatment, proofreading service for writers, novels, writing services, fiction writing, film script format, writing film scripts, screenwriting service, coverage service, screenplay critique service, screenplay format margins, screenplay writing, screenplay format example, free writing tutorials,   script consultant, screenwriting jobs, film production companies

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Sports Movie Scripts: Free Downloads


Hello, Readers!

Here is a list of sport movie scripts. If your a inspired to write a sport themed movie, review any of these for reference. 

Game 6   by Don DeLillo
  May 19, 2004 revised draft script in html format   Host Site Daily Script
  genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Sports
Game 6   by Don DeLillo
  May 19, 2004 revised draft script in pdf format   Host Site Daily Script
  genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Sports
Glory Road   by David Callaham, Revisions by Wesley Strick
  March 31, 2004 draft script in pdf format   Host Site Daily Script
  genre(s): Drama, Sports
The Jackie Robinson Story   by Arthur Mann & Lawrence Taylor
  1950 draft script in text format   Host Site Weekly Script
  genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sports
Million Dollar Baby   by Paul Haggis (based on the short story by F.X.Toole)
  undated, unspecified draft script in pdf format   Host Site Awesomefilm.com
  genre(s): Sports, Drama
The Ringer   by Ricky Blitt
  November 2, 2000 draft script in pdf format   Host Site AwesomeFilm
  genre(s): Comedy, Sports
Rocky   by Sylvester Stallone
  january 7, 1976 revised script in html format   Host Site The Daily Script
  genre(s): Drama, Sports
Rocky   by Sylvester Stallone
  1/7/76 revised script in html format   Host Site The Weekly Script
  genre(s): Drama, Sports
Rocky Balboa   by Sylvester Stallone
  undated, unspecified, partial script in jpg format   Host Site The Stallone Dome
  genre(s): Action, Drama, Sports
Rocky Balboa (Rocky (Puncher's Chance))   by Sylvester Stallone
  October 6, 2005 final draft script in pdf format   Host Site Daily Script
  genre(s): Action, Drama, Sports



Go, writers! Go!


I have been getting a lot of request for loglines. I give different prices . Since I have so many requests for this service, I decided to set a single fix price.

Logline: $5.00 Flat Fee

A synopsis or summery is required. It well be used to form the logline. The logline is just one line.



Screenplays

Critique: $50.00 Flat Fee, 

 Includes evaluating the basis elements of a script

  •  Introduction
  •  Development
  •  Climax
  •  Conclusion
  • Character development 
  •  Mid point development

Critiques also provide suggestions for improvements and enhancement. 


Payments are made by Paypal or cashier check by mail.


Other services are at regular price.



Query Letters: $25.00 Flat Fee  


Editing: $46.00 Flat Fee
  •  Evaluating formatting to industry standards
  •  Spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.

Turnaround time:

Editing: 2 weeks

Critique: 2 weeks
Query Letters: 2 weeks


Feel free to contact me at ahicks4298@q.com or  ahicks4298@msn.com.
Feel to call me at (360) 696-4298. Ask for Frances.

I also critique and edit books. I am currently organizing the service prices for working on books. If you are interested in me critiquing or editing a novel you have written, feel free contact me.
*
*
Film script format, writing film scripts, screenwriting services, coverage service, screenplay formatting margins, screenplay writing, screenplay format example, Search terms: screenplays, screenwriting service, edit and critique service, writing screenplays, screenplay format, loglines, query letter, film scripts, movie scripts, screenplay format, screenplay synopsis, script synopsis, treatment, proofreading service for writers, novels, writing services, fiction writing, film script format, writing film scripts, screenwriting service, coverage service, screenplay critique service, screenplay format margins, screenplay writing, screenplay format example, free writing tutorials,   script consultant, screenwriting jobs, film production companies