Legendary writer director Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, The Avengers, Firefly Dr Horrible’s Singalong Blog) enjoys mainstream success and a legion of cult-like followers, as well as equally passionate cadre of critics. He talks about his perhaps less than humble beginnings (while being born into a family of TV writers is certainly helpful, its no guarantee of success); what themes and human idiosyncracies interest him; and what challenges and opportunities writing a strong female protagonist presents.

If you liked this, check out more videos about screenwriting or filmmaking. And if you know of a great video on Screenwriting, let us know in the comments. Thanks!

:: Creating Memorable Characters
:: Top Ten Plotting Problems
:: What Is A Story? An Introduction
:: 10 Points To Ponder When You Write
:: THINK Picture, THINK Action, THINK Dialogue
:: Ken Levine On Writing A Groundbreaking Game
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:: Screenplay Review: These City Walls
:: Storytelling Strategies: ‘Argo’ and Recapitulation
:: How To Get Laughs Without Writing Jokes
:: Act I – Arguing for a Disempowered Protagonist and Sadistic Fate

Script Perfection

:: 6 Filmmaking Tips From Joss Whedon
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:: Skyfall Screenwriter John Logan Talks Bond 24
:: Your Expertise Starts with Your Craft
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:: Scriptnotes: Ep. 79 Transcript
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Pitching & Selling

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_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie Campbell.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

:: How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method
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:: Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Screenplay
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With thanks to Jamie Campbell and Brooke Trezise.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

:: Sci-Fi Storytelling & World Building with Writer Jon Spaihts
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_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie C. and Brooke T.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

Story & Structure

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Script Perfection

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_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie C.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

Story & Structure

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_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie C.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

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_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie C.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

I used to agree. Now I’m confused. In any case, claiming that no quality writing can happen without deep introspection seems wrong.

It was Joss Whedon who got me thinking about this. During his talk at the Sydney Opera House earlier this year, he explained how for most of his stellar career, he had no idea why he was writing. He had never reflected on the question where all his creative energy came from and why the characters he creates are who and what they are.

Here is one of the most successful and respected screenwriters of our generation, who has deeply touched millions of movie and TV viewers all over the world. He created screen characters that have not only been tremendously successful: they have shaped the culture and the lives of many of their viewers.

Never had Joss questioned where his inspiration came from nor why he would continue to create characters with similar traits. Yet his inspiration kept flowing.

Clearly there was no need for him to be aware of his own psychological need to tell stories in order to be successful. His characters speak directly to countless fans all over the world.

So, if anyone makes you feel as if you should first go through a thorough self-analysis before you can be worthy of creating quality and you feel uncomfortable about this, think about Whedon. Feel free to ignore any pressure to go self-analyzing and just focus on your writing.

Go into the minds of your characters and explore those. Most writers really don’t need to go into their own to deliver the goods.

Writing is one thing. Self-analysis is another. As a matter of fact, self-analysis seems to me awfully close to something called therapy. Perhaps those claiming you need this in order to write, are in need of it themselves.

So what do you think? Do you need therapy to unlock your muse?

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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Thank you!

Karel

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!

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COMING SOON to the Story Department:

• Inception: Act Three breakdown
• MM on Sex in Screenwriting: Climax (& Resolution)
• Screenwriting Video of the week

With thanks to Sol.

Enjoy!

Karel