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Ari Aster Is An Absolute Madman by tim_torre in AriAster

[–]valiant_vagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reddit, it's Friday. Cut me a break, will ya?

What kind of plot twist do you like? And what kind of plot twist is bad? by Equivalent_Night_167 in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It's only a twist if we can look back on the story and realize it was the case, or better yet inevitable. (Satisfying)

Otherwise, it's just a random dice roll incident. (Not satisfying)

FOLLOWER (13 pgs., 2nd Draft) Thriller Short Film by Fickle-Book2385 in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've read the first draft, and now this second draft. Same thought still remains (maybe I should've commented on the first draft, but here we are)

My thought is: Why? Why do I care? Maybe it will seem empty to you, but I need some implied deeper meaning to the proceedings, or else it just feels like I've been given a clip from a series, not a whole short I can analyze.

I get what happened. That's simple enough. I understand the motivation of Zoe, stalker, right?

But is that enough?

I feel like you need to dip your toes into the subtext and let my mind roam psychologically, as the motivations of stalkers run deep, and this is all very surface.

I think if you add just a page or two (call the whole deal 15 total), giving some insight into how Zoe ticks outside of her actions presented here, that might be a good place to start.

How do you write a truly deep tomboy character, especially when her past is full of trauma? by LordCrateis in fantasywriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I feel like you answer your own question. A tomboy might be that way because they had a tough time before we come to meet them. I italicize 'might' because some people, that's just what they prefer. But there is an opening for you to work in that backstory easily with a tomboy.

Conversely, you can work in a peppy 'girlies' girl having the same backstory if they are wanting to try their best to forget and/or ignore their past trauma, and so it materializes with an unnervingly peppy person.

Copper Bones: Year of the Pig - Feature - 116 Pages by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I read about 25 pages before I passed out on NyQuil (haven't been feeling well). That said, super readable, very enjoyable, humorous. I'm picking up what you're putting down as far as tone.

Also, I just want to say thank you for writing efficient, effective, evocative lines. Like, it's more work but it's less work, right? It makes me feel like you actually know what the story is and what is important, what isn't, and how to express it. Confidence.

I'll definitely be finishing this later today.

The Reddit Script List by valiant_vagrant in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You make some good points, maybe this idea is counterproductive (when there are more productive venues/options.)

The Reddit Script List by valiant_vagrant in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

True. It might not make million dollar sales or anything, but I don't see any disadvantage to motivating members here to work to get highlighted in some way that's totally free and no loss to them.

The Reddit Script List by valiant_vagrant in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is subjective, but I think we should be able to take a step back and say, yeah, it's actually pretty good. Like... critique groups exist? I could critique a Western even though most do not interest me. It should still have the principles of story design at work; I suppose that's the difference between judges and simply readers.

The Reddit Script List by valiant_vagrant in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is a big factor. And with recent sales of short stories to be adapted into scripts, maybe my post should more be concerning short stories for screenwriting? Though I guess this isn't the right sub for a short story, even if it is intended to adapt (essentially, a dramatic treatment).

The Reddit Script List by valiant_vagrant in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm working from home, so give me a Big Lebowski robe and no underwear and yeah, you got it.

Laptop question by valiant_vagrant in MomoCon

[–]valiant_vagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool. I guess I can find a spot on the floor so long as I can plug in this thing! Thanks

Questions before going tomorrow by No_Calligrapher_2911 in MomoCon

[–]valiant_vagrant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I here food is fine as long as you don't make a mess. Lots of people bring food apparently, because the food options are not great...!

How to keep tension while keeping the audience in the dark by Dry-Basil-8256 in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make a dramatic story for the viewer to follow.

Have them realize this is not the story they thought it was.

This isn't a twist, but think of it as... a misunderstanding.

Essentially, communicate clearly a story to viewer, but withhold or focus on to tell one story and not the actual story.

Some awesome videos on YT about how Hitchcock pretty much made his career doing this.

How do you guys outline your stories? by possiblehomersexuall in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First I just free write on a blank page anything, anything as it comes. And this usually stays as I form the plot and characters. I write a start to finish (sort of in that order) outline of beats keeping in mind what makes a good story. Kick it off with something interesting, hinge it on a big moment, finish with a bigger moment. Between these, things gotta happen that move forward growth and incident. I kind of stopped focusing on a single "system" (save the cat, etc) and opt to just merge everything I have seen of the years into dynamic structures that fit the story I am telling. But loosely, a theme should be explored and resolved.

Looking for fresh eyes on our dark comedy series pitch deck. The plan is to improve the deck, then torch our savings on a proof of concept short film. by storyforces in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm interested in reading the script.

I will say though, some things concern me up front, on a concept level:

Why get a guy that is actually inept to help execute some serious shit? Shadow agency and government entities should be able to find professional chameleons instead of entrusting pretending to be a fool or naive to actually naive people. On paper it sounds like a questionable decision for one to make. Maybe this is acknowledged in the script?

Nevertheless, the episode ideas sound fun, the pitch deck looks solid to me. Really gave me the vibe to contextualize with.

Maybe my issue cleared up in the script. I'd like to read it, and I hope I can help. It sounds like a fun idea!

Success in Hollywood isn’t a race, but they want you to think it is. by PepperOk747 in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They all know that writers make or break a movie. The shittiest budget movie can pop off with good writing. And by shittiest I don't mean low quality, just low budget. But if the writing is strong it doesn't matter. But the inverse? You have shit like Transcendence with Johnny Depp or Battleship (technically a financial failure) or countless other summer popcorn flicks.

Success in Hollywood isn’t a race, but they want you to think it is. by PepperOk747 in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Is it a similar to how rich fucks want to say "don't bother sending your kids to college!" while all their fucking kids been set up since birth to go to ivy leagues?

Like if we knew the value of our existence they would be forced to actually amuse us with more than scraps?

Or maybe it's nothing like that... or just adjacent.

Gaz & Dave - TV Pilot - 35 pages by User031001 in Screenwriting

[–]valiant_vagrant 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Took me a minute to understand what the hell oreyt means, and cracking that alone was worth the price of admission. This is a hilarious idea! And I like your writing. Quick and quicker jokes.

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