How to Write Movies that Don't Suck

Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring this video! New subscribers get 20% off their first box of awesome - go to bespokepost.com/ete20 and enter my code ETE20 at checkout.
_________
Paddington 2 is a delightfully wonderful film, and part of that is because the script works so well. But what makes a script tight and effective? Here's the tool that writers use!
Listen to my D&D Podcast (Of Mice and Men and Monsters) right now by clicking here --
omamam.com
MERCH - entertain-the-elk.creator-spr...
PATREON - / entertaintheelk
INSTAGRAM - @EntertainTheElk
TIKTOK - @EntertainTheElk
TWITTER - @EntertainTheElk

[@EntertainTheElk]

New Bespoke Post subscribers get 20% off their first box of awesome - go to bespokepost.com/ete20 and enter code ETE20 at checkout. Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring!

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

Paddington movies are criminally underrated. Our eponymous bear is the kind of person who made me wanted to share marmalade with.

[@EntertainTheElk]

I'm glad they've found a cult following.

[@alexklepp6479]

The Paddington films are really well-done but I think one reason why I enjoy them is because of the philosophy Paddington gives out: “If we’re kind and polite, the world will be right.” Something that needs to be heard more often today.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Yep. Feels like a warm hug

[@TJ-bu9zk]

kind and polite is such a tricky art to master. We are more divided than we have been in many decades, with different views of what constitutes "kindness" or "politeness".

[@pedromdcc13]

Another thing that impresses me in the masterpiece named Paddington 2, is how inventive they are with it's directing as well. From the paper London represented by the book, an animation to show how the "robber" didn't go for anything in the shop, doll house in the beginning, and a lot of great editing tricks it didn't need to do, especially with such a perfect screenplay. It's really rare to see such care put into the filmaking in any movie, much more on a family movie like this.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Completely agree!

[@trinaq]

A rare example of a sequel being even better than the original. I especially loved how the Brown family had quirks which were established at the top of the film, that saved the day in the end. Most notably, Mr Brown's Tai Chi, Jonathan's love for trains, and Judy's magazine.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Everything mattered in the script. Another example of it having no fat.

[@NigelThrashner]

I cried through the entire movie 😭. It made me want to be a better man!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Oh yeah. Tears for me too.

[@NigelThrashner]

@@EntertainTheElk I was quoting The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent 😆. Pedro Pascal’s character made Nic Cage watch it. But I agree, Paddington 2 is perfect 😉.

[@JohnnyBRad]

The level of love for this movie brings me so much joy.

[@EntertainTheElk]

I can't believe I only saw them recently. I've been missing out!

[@JohnnyBRad]

@@EntertainTheElk Better late than never! Just need #3 to come out ASAP!

[@Beeezledrop]

I loved the old stop-motion show they used to run on the Disney channel back in the early 90s so I saw both movies in the theater. I was afraid they wouldn't live up to how great those old animations were. I was happy to see that the movies were every bit as good as those old animated shorts were. They are a must-see for anyone with kids.

[@atotallyradlad72]

Earth isn't ready for Paddington 3, I know I'm not.

[@EntertainTheElk]

My tear ducts sure aren’t.

[@28Pluto]

Chinatown is perfect. Especially because the more you watch it, the more it reveals how "tight" that screenplay is as you understand all the themes and revelations.

[@wstine79]

I was pleasantly surprised by the Paddington films. They're just as good as the book and the old stop-motion shorts. Plus, no goofy poo culture references.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Yes. I had my doubts but they're wonderful.

[@Dazen101]

I always find ti funny when people find Paddington 2 and are blown away. There was just this masterpiece of a family film that flew under the radar and I think in any other decade would've been a decade defining film like Back to the Future, Goonies, and etc.

[@TheDukeofMadness]

I've always said that Falling Down, the Joel Schumacher film, is perfect. Everything about it, including the subverted cliches of character and situations makes it perfect to me.

[@1080TJ]

Couldn't be a more different movie, but I saw Evil Dead Rise last night and loved it for the same reasons highlighted here. So many great setups and payoffs.

[@EntertainTheElk]

I heard EDR is getting stellar reviews!

[@elichilton7031]

Perfect screenplays are rare and especially unique creations kinda like Paddington himself. Like he would say, "I’ll never be like other people, but that’s alright because I’m a bear."

[@gferrer481]

The pop up book scene and the ending give me such intense water works lol I can never stop crying in those scenes

[@EntertainTheElk]

I think I was crying for about the last 5-10 minutes

[@just_jedwards]

Hopefully this comes across in the spirit it's intended: the absolute last thing I was looking to watch this evening was literally anything involving a cgi bear, but you sure managed to make this interesting the whole way through anyway. Well done you absolute nerd 😅

[@EntertainTheElk]

:) So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for going out into strange waters with me.

[@pdzombie1906]

Absolutely true!!! I don't get why both movies are more popular. I recently watched them with my girlfriend, and it's very hard to remember the last time we laughed and teared up so much (certainly not in the cinema). Hollywood needs more movies like Paddington or it's going burn down!!! Thanx, Man!!!

[@williamstollery8326]

I have spent 5 years hearing how Paddington 2 is one of the greatest films of all time. I was convinced people were wrong. And then I watched it a few weeks ago. For the reasons you point out here, and many more besides, Paddington 2 is a perfect film.

[@stickershock66]

Thinking of other great movies with tons of setups and payoffs, "Triplets of Belleville" and "Tokyo Godfathers" probably qualify.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Totally!

[@jennamurphy9614]

This is super helpful for the story i'm working on.

[@SirMCThompson]

Paddington 2 is both Nicholas Cake and Pedro Pascal approved so you HAVE to see it

[@Haydenxc]

Haven’t seen paddington yet! Thanks for providing some insightful theories and philosophies for me to learn.

[@abn3r507]

I remember laughing my ass off when I first saw the Merman appear in Cabin in the Woods🤣

[@fmeu7733]

Brilliant opinion!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Glad you liked it!

[@ethansexton2590]

Another great video, Mr. Elk!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@nodansland303]

Hugh Grant in a dog suit has been my favourite payoff ever.

[@MoxieMcMurder]

I still haven't watched either Paddington films, despite being from the UK, I was never a fan of the marmalade eating bear. Still...never say never.😂

[@EntertainTheElk]

I knew nothing about Paddington before last month. Check 'em out! They're like a warm hug.

[@c_weir753]

Just watched the evil dead movie. Every gun fires off in it gives it a nice 1.5 hour runtime

[@bhattjignesh9]

Thanks for explaining this.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Hope you enjoyed it.

[@marladidit]

Great video! Important reminder: never stick too tightly to McKee's books. They are nice to learn some rules, but use it just to practice structure. McKee himself only wrote a bunch of mediocre screenplays. Learn the rules, but play with them and destroy them. Be creative ❤

[@gravityboxer]

Exactly. I hate McKee he talks a lot of smack and has no imagination.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Everyone is always praising these movies. I need to track them down and finally watch them.

[@EntertainTheElk]

That’s how I was until a month ago.

[@JordyMonio_exe]

I had an ex girlfriend who loved the paddington movies, and I never quite understood why until now haha. I have a video idea for you though, you should do; The Day Trailer Park Boys Died. I feel like that show doesn't get the attention it deserves.

[@SamPhoenixKnight]

Only a minute in but no, that’s not what tight means. When people describe a script as tight, they mean it’s concise without any wasted time. It has nothing to do with cohesion of events, more that every moment is doing multiple jobs at once, i.e. furthering the plot while revealing character while upping stakes.

[@EntertainTheElk]

I can see that. Though I think P2 uses Setups and Payoffs in a similar way, accomplishing many jobs at once. Establishing character arcs and offering meaning.

[@superpipi1330]

Nice work 🥳🥳🎉

[@rock_n_rolos]

Excellent! I love this movie

[@EntertainTheElk]

Yay! Hope you enjoy the vid.

[@dukethehoneybadger8066]

How season 26 revived South Park

[@thatomofolo452]

👋👋

[@jenelaina5665]

Me all yes until The Graduate. Love and respect but tight and cohesive...