Novermber 12, 2013

One minute of screen time is, on average, one page of script

Average movie - 110 minutes is therefore 110 pages (roughly)

Pages 1-10 - Setting Up

for Mr. Lobb, the first part of a movie is almost ALWAYS the best - Why?
this is when the “world” of the movie is created - it’s ALL new (unless you’ve spoiled)
there are so many questions and so many new, exciting things happening on-screen!
Recipe!
Here is a place
Here is a character who lives in that place
The character has a problem.
See? THAT’S a real problem.
Sometimes, there are other characters who work against that character. Here they are.
Sometimes, there are other characters who HELP that character. Here they are.
Our character has to change. What is going to force that change?

most movies open with some really exciting “something” that pulls the audience in immediately
it could be a character moment that sets up a question or concern
it could be an action scene that makes us know the stakes are high
it could be a very emotional moment that hits us and we have to rebound and find some meaning
it could be a crime that we need to see solved
it’s almost always a way of saying - don’t you need to see what happens? 

Some less obvious things to be set up: (no less crucial)
genre
tone (lighting, camera work, acting style, costume, etc)
time period (era influences action)
the rules - there are rules in every movie and they are important to set up early
eg Man of Steel - aliens, flying, super powers, etc
Dark Knight - not so much super, just powers
The Avengers - climactic fight - Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye are standing on cars, watching GIANT GODS fight and they can’t do anything
stupid romantic comedy - oh! coincidences, right? ridiculous chances that work
murder mysteries - that detective noticed EVERYTHING THERE WAS TO NOTICE in five seconds
time travel, etc - Back to the Future

It’s call The Hook.
There is something that just makes you watch the movie.
It has to be in the first 5 pages.
It is one thing that all movie producers are looking for.
It is some variation of all the stuff above and it has to be original and super cool.
You are tasked with watching the opening 15 minutes of a movie.

THEN, you should write down 10-15 things that are set up.

Facts, situations, informational, character-based, etc.

Make it a movie that you would never watch.