Thread by @Chrisihidero

#Random
General answers to a question I get asked all the time:
How do you write a great film story?

a) Create a constantly fascinating character that has a weakness he/she is unaware of. That's your HERO
b) Create another even more constantly fascinating character with a...

a determined view on how the world should be. This view should be in contrast with how your HERO sees the world. This is your VILLAIN, or OPPONENT, as I prefer to call him/her.
c) Create a support cast of characters, make each one the hero of their story.

d) Place all of them in a unique STORY WORLD. This world must be like no other. Your story must seem like it can only exist in this world.
e) Let all of them fight for their beliefs.
f) Fuck shit up consistently with all of them, but your HERO more than any other character.

g) Remember to give your HERO and the OPPONENT compelling moral arguments, but place a flaw in the OPPONENT's argument, a highly debatable flaw but a flaw nonetheless. This is how your audience will find hope to continue living when they leave the cinema.

h) Give us 5 MAJOR MOMENTS in 90-120mins. By major, I mean moments we will remember years later. Make us laugh from our souls, make us cry from deep within. We have submitted ourselves to you for pain and pleasure. Hurt us, heal us. You're God; we're at your mercy, fuck with us.

i) That's it. That about all you need to do. Easy, abi?

Oh, please remember: A wicked mother-in-law who kills everybody for no reason and turns to a black goat while Patrick Doyle is doing deliverance is not a great character.

j) A billionaire with only one child and doesn't want her to marry a poor guy is really bad storytelling.
A film set anywhere Nigeria with every character and their housemaids speaking spree spree is really nonsense/ nothing modern or classy about it.

That's it!
Random over.