A Common Mistake Screenwriters Make When Developing Characters by Steve Kaplan

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#writing #screenwriting #writing101

[@benjaminprietop]

This is really incredible, I´m an aspiring screenwriter from a country with a pretty small industry, I´ve attended film school for 3 years, and now I watch these videos and I feel like I´ve learnt so much more from watching this than in those 3 years, I think Steve Kaplan and John Truby offer great advice and I actually feel more encouraged to keep on writing, that I´ve ever felt while studying, This is awesome, Thank you very much

[@stevekaplan1170]

You're very welcome, Davyjones2001! www.KaplanComedy.com

[@ghostwriterscorner502]

I still crack up thinking of Alan Alda in Woody Allen's film: "See, that, that's the rule of comedy: if it bends, it's funny. If it BREAKS, then, then it's not funny."

[@JorgePrietoNYC]

Totally agree. This guy knows exactly what he is talking about.

[@moviedetective303]

It's the want and the need. The want is the thing the character desires. It is what they THINK they need. The need is what they actually need (it might not be what they think they need). This is how it was explained to me but it doesn't mean the character's goal changes into something else entirely. It just shifts as the story progresses. In Coco, Miguel maintains his goal of becoming a musician but his need is to save Hector and repair his family's relationship with music (imo). It's the same thing with Shrek, what Shrek believes he wants is to be left alone in his swamp but what he truly desires/needs is love and acceptance and he gets that at the end; he gets his swamp AND Fiona and is celebrated.

[@SeeBillyRun]

I've attended a Steve Kaplan workshop and he offers great advice.

[@filmcourage]

See Billy Run Agreed, great workshop for comedians, writers, and filmmakers. Glad to see you discover this video segment with Steve. What is the one thing that stuck with you most from Steve's workshop?

[@SeeBillyRun]

Film Courage A few things stuck with me... to narrow it down to one is kind of tough, but that's a good thing! If I were to pick one thing it would be to remember that the audience is intelligent; so there is no need to "dumb down" your humor/writing.

[@filmcourage]

See Billy Run Thanks for sharing. For us, it was that character trumps plot. Also, it left us with a strong desire to see Groundhog Day again which we still haven't done.

[@stevekaplan1170]

Glad you enjoyed it! #mademyday

[@thomaskubrak1576]

Sounds like he's been around the block

[@thomaskubrak1576]

'There's a realization that they want something else." Steve Kaplan - Story Time! - There he was in the midst of any idea when he suddenly saw something. Something that was so profound and different that he couldn't help but ask the person to his right, who was sitting in the cafe, "Hey did you see that?" - The unknown man responded, "... - ..." - - - By- Tom Kubrak

[@ryanbarker5217]

good insight on comedies, where the B-plot sometimes becomes the main goal. it's incredibly formulaic, especially in rom-coms. in fact, i can't even think of a single rom-com where this isn't the case, lol.

[@olivergilmartin]

In essence this refers to developing the character through his story not impeding the character from achieving his goal as if he could have done it from the beginning.

[@hrm50141]

Another great insight from Steve Kaplan, his book is great too (no, I do not know Steve. Wish I did, so I could learn a bunch more!). Anyway, Steve essentially states that comedy = the truth about people, meaning we're all flawed and mess up every day, be it in a minor or major way, and act in ways that we'd rather not tell others about in order to get by, get laid, get the promotion ad infinitum... And these actions and behaviours are what's funny. Maybe not for the person experiencing them, but to those watching? Hilarious. Anyway, I'm no expert, but it's a great book that's helped me a ton in my own writing, so I recommend it hugely (I truly promise I don't know, work for nor am affiliated with Mr Kaplan in any way! But if something's good then it's worth sharing).

[@stevekaplan1170]

Matt, glad you liked the book and the video! #youjustmademyday

[@hrm50141]

You're welcome, Steve, they really have helped improve my comedy writing. I look forward to any future books and vids!

[@luisakalina6952]

Oh My Gosh! So helpful! Thanks!

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Luisa. Are you a screenwriter?

[@beebuzz959]

Film Courage, not sure about her, but I am!

[@azerreza446]

wow me too

[@unleashed4138]

This was very informative!!!!!! Thank you.....

[@williamokeefe5230]

I'm not sure if the goal really changes. In sheik he wants to be happy and he thinks being alone will make him happy. Later he realizes being with the princesse will make him happy. I think his goal was always to be happy, he just realized the way he is going about achieving his goal changed. Just a thought.

[@LilacDaisy2]

Every character's goal is always to be happy, whether they're a farmer, a stripper or a hitman. It's what they think happiness is, and how it's achieved, that changes (after they confront the lie they believe, midway).

[@thankyoujodi]

Want vs Need He wants everyone out of his swamp But he needs a family to make a home

[@Desbarbado]

The interviewer didn't understand what he said

[@howardkoor2796]

Love your insight

[@marquesmartinez730]

This was Super helpful 👍🏽

[@queuesnake704]

Yeah. You never know where you'll end up or what you end IP wanting once certain things change your reality.

[@yesyesyesyes1600]

This guy is awesome :)

[@andreaseferi8204]

What the f does he mean with relevation and learning points like if you take the Shrek example. Im just at page 70 at the book

[@stevekaplan1170]

Hi Andrea. What I mean is that your protagonist starts off the narrative with selfish, short-sighted, and often wrong-headed goals. But something (the inciting incident) occurs which sets the protagonist off on an unexpected journey. Along the way, the protagonist is transformed. He/she learns new skills, discovers new goals, and experiences moments of revelation (about himself and others) that further his/her transformation. Shrek starts off wanting to be left alone. He ends up realizing how much he needs other people.

[@beyondcinema]

the mcguffin

[@JakeMGolle]

So is he suggesting this concept is only applicable to comedies?

[@stevekaplan1170]

Jake, no, but it is present in many well-written comedies, and absent in many unsuccessful specs that I've read.

[@RusticChivalry1985]

Steve Kaplan Can you give some non comedic examples? I guess Chinatown...

[@stevekaplan1170]

***** It would be where the main character starts off with a selfish or venal goal, and then changes it to a noble or heroic goal. Best examples that come to mind are Casablanca and Schindler's List.

[@ghostwriterscorner502]

Steve Kaplan Mr Kaplan, I LOVE your interviews. You're fantastic, very funny yourself on cam, and I always come away with a head full of ideas and feeling inspired. You make me think about film and storytelling in ways I never have before. It's amazing you can state all of these things, when it's always been a more instinctual thing for me. You're very clear, and I often have this "Oh my GOD, he's SO RIGHT!" feeling listening to you. :)

[@MrMatcompany]

Is this only for comedy?

[@ThatCreeNative1]

+Matheus Benites Yes. Conflict is only for comedies. Geez dude! I'm sorry but this is a dense comment and you are older than me. You have to create and create while writing. I learned all I can in simply a year. I only watched a few videos on writing and I surprised myself that I got almost everything they said without question! By that I mean I knew how to create a story well and good.

[@MrMatcompany]

I was not talking about conflict, what I asked was if the video was specific for comedy writing

[@ThatCreeNative1]

Matheus Benites No. It can be anything, I'm making a comedy sometime next year and my writing is different but funny nonetheless.

[@Ekinlabberer]

+DashingNative well where can i read your writing?

[@ThatCreeNative1]

Ekinlabberer No. Not copyrighted. You have to wait and see if you are curious. Planning something soon.

[@antonarap]

So this guy discovered that stories should have a twist... Thank you sensei.

[@untitled8005]

That's all you took from it?

[@antonarap]

@@untitled8005 why did you take something else?

[@acebrockton1828]

Ab'olutely