Story & Structure – Page 64 – The Story Department

The Untouchables – Hiring the Mentor

November 9, 2009 by Karel FG Segers

Mentors appear to the heroes at the exact right time, usually in the second sequence, after the Inciting Incident has left the hero lost and confused. Reluctant to take up the challenge, the Hero continues to live in denial. The Hero denies the fact that the world has changed, that he/she needs to change and … Read more

Short Film Science & Fiction

October 13, 2009 by Karel FG Segers

It took me seven years and three short films to radically change my mind about the nature of these little beasts. One, two or three acts, the story principles are still identical to feature drama. Yet shorts won’t teach you how to write a “big movie”. In terms of distribution and audience approval, my films … Read more

20 Ways to Beat the Block

January 6, 2018September 15, 2009 by Karel FG Segers

Recently Emily Blake wrote “writers block is a lie“.

“If I’m ever completely uninspired, I make a note of what goes there, highlight it in yellow, and skip to the next scene. And if I’m still stumped, I write whatever crap I can come up with until I ease into something less crappy.”

Too bad Emily wasn’t around to give this advice to Coleridge, Ellison, Mitchell and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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.

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When the script and story gurus speak

August 25, 2009 by Karel FG Segers

Most ‘gurus’ each have their own area of expertise and angle of attack, they each follow their own agenda. And with every new light shed on the craft, different people may see that light. Don’t they ever contradict each other? And if they do, which truth do YOU choose? Screenwriting is a dynamic craft. What … Read more

What level are we on?

August 18, 2009 by Karel FG Segers

You may have written these fabulous dramatic scenes. If they don’t play within a larger story context, your work may still feel shallow and be easily forgotten.

If, however, you create a complex dramatic fabric, the audience will feel that what they are seeing is larger than the scene they’re in. It will keep them engaged and make your story powerful and memorable.

Karel FG Segers

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