The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna 179 | Feature Film Story Engine Checklist: 8 Elements To Turn A Situation Into A Movie
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Feb 15, 2024 Crafting a feature film story engine is crucial for powering your movie, with elements like clear main character goals, conflicts, stakes, and a well-defined plan. Developing compelling characters with flaws and superpowers, along with maintaining momentum and escalating stakes, are key to keeping the narrative engaging. Exploring narrative elements and prioritizing communication in the industry are also highlighted in this insightful discussion.
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Story Engine Is The Movie's Tipping Point
- A clear story engine is the tipping point from 'situation' to 'this is a movie.'
- The engine aligns thematic, character, plot and relationship elements so the idea sustains three acts.
Early Interview Taught Situation Vs. Story
- Meg recalled an early Hollywood interview where a producer asked her to distinguish situation from story.
- That lesson—'understand the difference between a situation and a story' stuck with her forever.
Seed All Eight Elements In Act One
- Put these eight engine elements in Act One so Act Two can evolve them dramatically.
- Establish theme, tone, MC with goal, plot goal, conflict, stakes, plan and main relationship early.