Story & Structure – Page 50 – The Story Department

The Constructive Script Review (2)

September 13, 2010 by Karel FG Segers

Some people say nothing in their reviews because they don’t want to reveal their “secret insights” on screenwriting. Let me ask you – how do you know that what you know is correct? How will you find out if you’re correct unless you talk about it? (Continued from Part 1) Just because you have a … Read more

Video: Stories In The Street

September 8, 2010 by Karel FG Segers

Marilyn Horowitz takes us out into the street on a mission to find stories and characters.

Perhaps not a surefire way to find high concepts easily but definitely an approach to getting your imagination kickstarted.

And if I were her, I would have probably made sure this guy with his laundry signed a released form.

After all, instead of a banker, he could be a lawyer. And not wanting to be seen with the dirty laundry…

Screenwriting Tips from nehir tuna on Vimeo.

With thanks to Louise Lee Mei.

Karel FG Segers

Karel Segers wrote his first produced screenplay at age 17. Today he is a story analyst with experience in acquisition, development and production. He has trained students worldwide, and worked with half a dozen Academy Award nominees. Karel speaks more European languages than he has fingers on his left hand, which he is still trying to find a use for in his hometown of Sydney, Australia. The languages, not the fingers.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Learn From My Mistakes

August 31, 2010 by Karel FG Segers

Recently a thought occurred to me. Two of the short films I produced each have the exact same story problem. I will explain it to you, so you have no excuse whatsoever to make this same mistake. Aerosol (2005) is the story of a factory worker who has to deal with an ant that is … Read more

Screenwriting: Writing Drama (13)

August 26, 2010 by Karel FG Segers

Yves Lavandier’s book Writing Drama currently rates as the absolute favorite of our book reviewer Jack Brislee. To give you the opportunity to delve into Lavandier’s amazing knowledge and insight, we will be publishing a weekly excerpt from the book. Justifying external obstacles “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the … Read more

Video: Joss Whedon

August 26, 2010 by Karel FG Segers

This weekend Joss Whedon talks at the Sydney Opera House and I thought it would be a good reason to show a short clip giving us an insight in his writing world. He talks about his writing habits and his preference for characters who grow and learn.

“Sitcoms didn’t resonate with me as much because, you know, wacky situation after wacky situation… I start to get a little twitchy. What have we learned?” … “We don’t have to hug, we don’t have to share but we have change. We have to figure out something or forget something, we have to make a mistake. If we’re not doing that, then, honestly, why are we here?”

Karel FG Segers

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!