CRAFT | Screenwriting | Pilar Alessandra

World renown screenwriting instructor & professor Pilar Alessandra talks simplifing story and writing craft

Link to her podcast & More: onthepage.tv

Takeaways:

Writers often worry too much about making mistakes.
Many new writers write stories that aren't their own.
Finding your unique voice is crucial in writing.
Setting time limits can help overcome writer's block.
Originality doesn't mean complete uniqueness; it's about fresh perspectives.
Loglines are essential for focusing your story.
Successful writers enjoy the process and are open to experimentation.
Playfulness in writing can lead to better creativity.
Receiving notes should be about understanding intent, not just following advice.
Writing partnerships require clear communication and agreements.

 

Summary

Pilar Alessandra discussing common mistakes new writers make, the importance of finding one's unique voice, and strategies for overcoming writer's block. She emphasizes the significance of originality in storytelling, the role of loglines, and the dynamics of writing partnerships. Pilar also touches on creating faith-based stories without being preachy, the element of surprise in storytelling, and the importance of playfulness in the writing process. Throughout the discussion, she provides practical tips and encourages writers to embrace their creativity and enjoy the journey of storytelling.

 

Chapters

03:44 Common Mistakes in Writing
06:26 Finding Your Unique Voice
09:01 Breaking Down Story Structure
11:37 Overcoming Writer's Block
14:13 The Importance of Originality
17:00 Developing Compelling Characters
19:32 The Role of Loglines
21:40 Patterns in Successful Writers
25:28 Navigating Feedback: The Art of Receiving Notes
26:20 The Note Process: Understanding Intentions
29:02 Collaborative Writing: The Dynamics of Writing Partners
31:21 Starting Your Writing Journey: Exercises and Exploration
32:22 Faith-Based Storytelling: Balancing Message and Authenticity
33:04 Show, Don't Tell: The Power of Subtext
35:39 The Element of Surprise: Keeping Audiences Engaged
39:04 Finding Balance: The Lift and Drag of Storytelling
39:20 Personal Favorites: Films That Resonate
43:30 Faith in Storytelling: Subtlety Over Preachiness
45:01 Conveying the Unseen: Objects as Symbols in Storytelling

 

 

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Screenwriting Craft
• (00:02:00) - How My First Draft Got Made
• (00:03:33) - What Are the Most Common Mistakes Made By Writers?
• (00:07:17) - What's a Logline?
• (00:08:42) - There Are Many Ways to Break Story
• (00:10:42) - How to Write Without Writer's Block
• (00:15:02) - What's Your Fresh Take On Something?
• (00:18:21) - Questions to Ask Yourself as a Screenwriter
• (00:19:52) - Binge-Writing Tips
• (00:21:31) - The Importance of a Logline
• (00:22:49) - The Types of Writers You Like
• (00:26:14) - How To Take Notes On a Script
• (00:28:59) - How To Write With A Writing Partner
• (00:32:09) - How To Write a Faith Based Movie
• (00:34:01) - What's The Problem With Show Don't Tell
• (00:34:28) - White Lotus
• (00:35:32) - Tom Holland on Surprise in Films
• (00:39:07) - Favorite Film Scripts
• (00:41:51) - On The Page: Where to Start?
• (00:43:20) - Have You threaded the needle on a Faith Based Story?
• (00:44:53) - How To Write About Unseen Things