District 9: How to Create a Grounded Concept

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District 9 is one of my favorite films of all time. And it is one of THE best examples of creating a high concept story that feels very “grounded.”
How does this happen? Why does District 9 feel so down to earth, while other high concept stories feel a lot less believable?
Today I am going to show how District 9 was constructed, why it feels so grounded and believable, and how you can use the same tools to build a strong, grounded concept in your story.
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Instagram: @mowery
Twitter: @JTylerMowery
#Rewriting #Storytelling

[@TylerMowery]

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[@carlmia305]

hey tyler is there Merit to say that making a dark feeling movie versus a real feeling movie are different where does one start and the other end, or are they just interchangeable i feel as is if the batman is a dark movie and some what real but there is this anime i saw jobless reincarnation it isnt dark but i feel a level of realness from it i cant explain. just tho it would make a good video topic to explore

[@ReviewBru]

I'm from South Africa and District 9 was a game changer in filmmaking

[@williampearson6299]

I wish there was a sequel but it works as a stand alone.

[@zade_in_paradise]

Im from Botswana and this chnged how i approach screenwriting...and iNumber Number

[@PSL7216]

Facts one of my top ten along with Jill bill, and children of men. Also was it a game changer in South African society?

[@nicholassmart4790]

​@@PSL7216 not really. The problems we have are too big to be even dented by one movie. I'm also South African and virtually no one I know has even heard of this movie. I like it though.

[@patricksleep9787]

These film not only changed my life, but also on viewing movies on a different level. I remember watching a preview of it on KZbin back in 2009 when the plateform was still young. I was so intrigued with the Alien creatures, and the mystery of what the plot was holding. The movie could’ve just been another generic cash grab alien invasion movie, but no the creators really took their time on crafting a well story to tell. It really just makes me appreciate it ten times more.

[@laurahealy2163]

"District 9"- a very good movie. Philosophical Conflict - yes. Theme - yes. BUT, there was one other element "District 9" had to have to make it a success- Emotion. I perceived the emotion through what the main protagonist went through. He wasn't a bad guy, just worked for the government. Had a wife, whom he loved. That gets turned all around for him and he ends working with the aliens side. His goal is always the same- to get back to his wife. In the end, he doesn't. [BTW, I'm not trying to become the next great screenwriter.]

[@benjaminread5287]

Yes a very good point. I'd say emotion is more important than theme. For many great films it can be hard to pinpoint a 'theme' but they always resonate emotionally (unless they're a comedy, but even then many do)

[@laurahealy2163]

@@benjaminread5287 Yes, but you've got to have a good theme, too. "District 9" - I don't own a copy of that. Why? I don't know. However, I can still remember the whole plot- or "theme"- or "philosophical narrative" - because he choose to tell the "story" through this one man's P.O.V.. He wasn't a bigwig. He was just an "ordinary guy" who worked for the government. He was altogether relatable to the audience. We got caught up in what he was going through, and that allowed the director to take us on a journey. If the director didn't pull us into this guys world, then we as an audience, could have cared less.

[@222quiet]

​@@benjaminread5287 realistically emotions simply dont exist without theme (or reason) we dont get emotional over nothing. we get emotional over whats important, and whats important to a person or a character creates the theme

[@Septumsempra8818]

In high school I was on the set of this movie. s/o from South Africa

[@avifor5772]

Cool!! How was that experience?

[@romeISdead]

Stories are more found to write when you have the theme first. Your not to write something specific but your looking for a concept that fits the theme, and will fully express what you're trying to say.

[@abstraktfilms]

Agreed, although that's not usually the inspired process- at least from my experience. What I've found interesting with writing is that there's always a theme, even without the intention of it being there. The earlier in the process that it's identified and integrated though, the better the story will likely be, because the theme won't be competing with smaller or adjacent themes that might water down the core meaning/message. I've never started with theme, but I'll probably give it a try.

[@freddyfranchise]

Absolutely love this video! I think writers should explore their themes and voice more than anything else! I always think: How will my story improve the state of the world? What can the audience take home with them that will improve their life? John Truby is my absolute favorite. He calls this the "Thematic Revelation", which adds another layer at the end of the story, only then to realize, that layer has been there from the beginning.

[@brunobilandzija1823]

Great video, as always! Another important thing is that when you come from theme, you can find not just the right concept, but the right structure...which is, in my opinion, the most important element for deep, underlying expression of the theme... thanks for the great content! 🍀

[@redmanfilms7048]

This video is very helpful thank you so much

[@felipecamberodelapena5765]

I know it might sound like a weird suggestion, but can you make a video about speed racer, I think it has a good script, awesome editing, montage and vfx(for its time released) that makes it unique and catchy.

[@Mushgal_]

This is a very good video, but dont't you think the latter half of the movie does the opposite of what you've exposed here? It's been a while since I watched and I've only watched it once, but I remember it shifting from an insightful and clearly allegorical mockumentary to a bland, Hollywood-esque action movie at around the 30 minutes mark. I feel like that's kind of a counterpoint to the whole thesis you're presenting in the video. Yeah, Blomkamp started with a theme which makes the movie "grounded", as you say, but later on disregards it in favor of visual spectacle. Idk, just my opinion.

[@farzanamughal5933]

That doesn't make the first half less useful as an example of how to create a grounded concept

[@222quiet]

the point of the video was to tell people to start with a theme to make a concept feel grounded, plus the mockumentary ending in 30 minutes doesn't make it less grounded, and being a hollywood-esque action movie isn't a bad thing

[@sahilwadhwaa]

Loved your video man! I watched district 9 yesterday and was immediately mesmerised by it

[@chriscarton4728]

Tyler I'm so please to see this. I've been watching many of you videos lately and I'm also a huge fan of District 9 ! Was wondering what do you think of the script ?

[@ayh4968]

Would you be able to make a video on montages? What are great ways to use them other than for the passing of time, which is fairly standard?

[@bbrendell]

This video is so well done. Thank you for this continent.!!!

[@damepieper2163]

One of my top ten films of all time.

[@testeteste873]

GREAT video as always! please never stop posting hahah. Also could you do a video on "captain fantastic"??

[@joshcrackedboooi2392]

im soo glad south african films are being shown everwhere

[@zade_in_paradise]

District 9 is a masterpiece

[@zyxer3610]

Hi! Can u please do videos analyzing the writing of Arcane? The show was a huge inspiration for me wanting to become a potential screenwriter!

[@bomenorange.]

I watched this movie only once on premiere year, so it’s been long time. This fill isn’t about aliens, it’s about a true issue which exists in many countries, once you grasp this concept, you will start to enjoy the rest of the movie even better. Some parts of the movie was the opposite of what Tyler has mentioned in this video (as i can remember). And it’s totally fine, you gotta have diversity and some action to win the fans.

[@Thatbullhim]

Starting with "theme" is probably single cause of unfinished scripts At least for me. Follow Robert McKee, DISCOVER your theme in your story/concept

[@222quiet]

-im no expert when it comes storytelling, but with logic i think i have formulated a better way to think of this. be prepared to read this cause i just typed a whole essay 💀 its never been proved that starting with theme results in unfinished stories. let me tell u something that just makes sense. if you have a theme for your story, a genre and a concept for the theme and genre, then the only thing holding you back is that you don't have anything to say about the theme (aka: moral/lesson) theme: the real life concepts of people and the world that is referenced by a story. basically, what the story is talking *about*. usually a story doesn better when it's theme is something that's important or necessary to the demographic it's advertised to moral: the lesson (or your response) to the questions/instabilities your themes bring within your story. if you want to finish or make a story you must know how to challenge the moral you have in your story so far to the point where the moral's legitimacy is undeniable. that's not only how you complete a story, but how you write an impactful story that can change the way the viewer thinks because your moral has been proven. buttt in order to have a moral you have to have a clear theme, obviously, to begin with. don't get me wrong, what you said was right as well, but its a gamble since your reason is a tad inverted. building a theme from your story definitely can work, but its simply not a promise. even if it does work out most of the time, since you built a theme around your genre or concept, your story will likely take on themes that are cliche to the genre or concept you started with. this issue is why this video exists for example: if i make a story based on a little kid finding a watch that grants him powers to save the world, an story created from that order only allows me to make the theme "with great power comes great responsibility" because he just found a watch, or "coming of age" because the show starts as him being a little kid (you can add more themes going along the story buutt you'll never be able to choose them lol) These are great themes, no theme is bad. But if the theme doesn't speak to/about you and your experiences then writing the story doesn't feel genuine. Lemme say that again. If the story isn't built from the emotions and realism of the themes reflecting your experiences in life, then your story is less likely to convey emotion and realism when you write it. to say simply, you might be writing the story, but you aren't writing a story that connects to you and your heart.

[@thewhitewolf58]

Its an amazing movie thats too sad to watch again.

[@pinakichakraborty8759]

❤❤❤

[@rubinortiz2311]

Idc I will die on this hill, chappie was great

[@Idk_bro12340]

It was fun

[@sinamollajafar7934]

🤩🤩🤩

[@taeseanpinn7462]

i have trouble coming up with themes is there any methods that can help me

[@titinta3]

There's an easier way to find themes. Ask yourself this simple question: "What is my protagonist's misbelief about self, others, or the world in general? Make sure it's a misbelief or lie that's specific to your story concept. Are you ready for this? Then, flip it upside down. That's your theme. Consider these character misbeliefs: 1. "You're a moron if you believe things you can't prove". Theme should be the complete opposite standpoint: "You're not a moron if you believe....." . 2. "I'm worthless and useless." Now, flip that! Hopefully this helps.

[@otsa120]

It is easiest to find theme in subject that you personally is struggling with. When there is a topic where you have both arguments supporting an idea and opposing it, then you have many story elements to work with. And while writing, the conclusion may dawn on you, and then you go back as to rewrite with this realisation as your theme. That is one way to do it.

[@imhungreee7645]

remeber me when you have 5 million subs next year...

[@eduardmanecuta5350]

Does anyone has the script for this movie?

[@DamonPlantaseed]

District 9 was wildly cliche though

[@NineInchNailer]

I'm still pissed that he didn't get to make an Alien film...

[@nijualhilton5618]

District 9 worked because it was a darker version of Alien Nation.

[@benjaminread5287]

To say that a good story starts with theme is just silly. The Chronicles of Narnia started with an image, a faun under a lamp. Many of the Ghibli films focus on tone over everything else. So no a great film doesn't need to put theme first.

[@biggieb8900]

I have always been very confused why district 9 is so loved by some people, it was a totally unremarkable movie with eye-rolling hamfisted virtue signaling.