Comments for The Story Department

Comment on Structure: E.T. by John

John — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 21:18:47 +0000

In reply to Steve Vidler. E.T. being left behind is not the inciting incident. When E.T. and Elliot meet is. Without them meeting there is no story.

Comment on WATCH, READ, WRITE. by thomas nicholson

thomas nicholson — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:16:21 +0000

i will like to get started

Comment on Structure: Raiders of the Lost Ark by father bradley

father bradley — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:54:34 +0000

In reply to Chuck. lol wut?

Comment on WATCH, READ, WRITE. by Eugenia Jenny Williams

Eugenia Jenny Williams — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 04:28:24 +0000

Hi from Tasmania
I am Eugenia Jenny Williams, author of five published books and looking for help to turn my book titled The Stone Fiddler into movie. The idea came when I received a message from TaleFlics to submit my work to their agency. I did. After a while I received a critique of the book which made me think of turning it to a movie.
I read your credentials and listened to your short video, hoping you are the right person. From my message you will know, I am at the very beginning of my movie project. I need help.
I can supply the full manuscript, my bio and the TaleFlics criticue on request.
I would appreciate your acnowledgement of my message.
Thank you for your time.
Jenny (Eugenia)

Comment on Structure: A Beautiful Mind by Cracking A Beautiful Mind’s Schizophrenic Inciting Incident. - James P Barker

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 01:29:14 +0000

[…] Likewise, The Story Department’s analysis points toward the same end: […]

Comment on The 2-Act Structure [Because You Write The Rules] by oli

oli — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:06:29 +0000

Shakespeare has 3 similar plays: Richard III, Julius Caesar, and Macbeth, which all have a common 2-act structure. It’s a rise and fall. Richard Duke of Gloucester, Brutus, and Macbeth all rise to power at the midpoint. That has its own setup, rising action, and climax.

Then there’s the fall which has its own setup, rising action, and climax. A second protagonist comes in who brings them down: Henry Tudor, Mark Anthony, or Macduff. The latter half is this protagonist destroying the first.

You could think of this as a 2-act chiasm or a 6-act circle of two 3-act plays. Not all of his plays follow this (Othello is 3-act where there climax is right at the end, it’s closer to standard movie structure). But I think it’s a matter of picking what’s best for your story. Some films like Full Metal Jacket are really two separate movies.

Comment on WATCH, READ, WRITE. by Lucio TASSI

Lucio TASSI — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:03:04 +0000

No speak english . Salve sono uno scrittore emergente , scrivo racconti brevi adattati per il cinema a mio avviso . Posso inviarvi del materiale . A vostro piacimento e insindacabile giudizio. Cordiali saluti

Comment on Script Check: Handling of Time by Karel FG Segers

Karel FG Segers — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 02:19:37 +0000

In reply to Anthony.

Can you find a few examples of other films or TV episodes that have a similar sequence?
What films do you like that have people getting to know each other, before jumping to a point later in life?
That may give you an idea on how you could do it.

Comment on The Micro Budget Movie – Ten Tips On Writing It by Jess

Jess — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 01:33:26 +0000

I found this to be very interesting and insightful. Specifically, special effects! It really is something to keep in mind when plotting and world building… how much is this gonna cost? Right? Same for location! Great work.

Comment on Story catalyst: the most exciting scene in the movie? by richard

richard — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:22:27 +0000

In reply to A.R. Washington. how was the movie?