Midpoint Reversal In Screenplay - Paul Joseph Gulino

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In this Film Courage video interview, Chapman University Professor (Dodge College) and Author Paul Joseph Gulino on the Midpoint Reversal In Screenplay.
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#writing #screenwriting #screenplay

[@theamazingnel]

This the by far the best explanation of a midpoint that I’ve ever found

[@josephkelley8641]

These aren't easy things to explain, yet Paul makes it look easy.

[@davedevola9266]

Paul J.G. is inspiring and awesome ... just the same as 'Film Courage' for bringing this content to us creatives. I think it's time for a 'behind the scenes' snapshot of the crew✌

[@ralphybillofrights7364]

Your content is so educational, thanks film courage!

[@nerd_in_norway]

At the midpoint turn the protagonist's world on his/her head. When you do this you breathe extra life and energy into the story. It's as if you're shifting into 5th gear, after cruising in 4th for a while. Examples: JAWS: Chief Brody - who hates the sea - gets on a boat to go after the shark. JURASSIC PARK: the dinosaurs break out. ALIEN: the alien bursts out of a crew member's chest and suddenly a routine job becomes a fight for survival. Paul Schrader's AFFLICTION: Nick Nolte buries his mom and his father is forced back in his life. RED EYE: Rachel McAdams suddenly finds herself in a terrifying nightmare 30,000 feet in the air. PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE: The two female leads are finally left on their own, as the mother travels to the mainland. THE LIGHTHOUSE: Just as Dafoe & Pattinson prepare to leave the island, they're suddenly forced to stay there much longer than planned. These moments all happen exactly in the middle of the film. Most movies without some form of important change at the midpoint ends up feeling overlong.

[@nerd_in_norway]

This man is a gem.

[@jag5798]

Midpoint is where in some movies I can tell the writer got tired.

[@nanisarkar8246]

OK.

[@zacharymcgraw8559]

LOL

[@tiko545]

please correct me if I‘m wrong: the midpoint contrasts the end of the SECOND ACT and it mirrors the RESOLUTION of the movie?

[@bochi5318]

Its just a choice to do a midpoint mirror. Its to make distinguishable ups and downs to the story so it wont be stale. If it makes ur story better then go ahead.

[@tiko545]

Bo Chi thanks my man and happy writing!

[@DenkyManner]

It can mirror the end or contrast the end, or mirror/contrast the end of Act II. Or it can even be the catalyst (Rocky). These are general principles, not hard rules. Though something usually does happen

[@filmcourage]

What should happen at the midpoint of a movie?

[@meg-k-waldren]

Protagonist commits to their goal. Rising stakes. Kill off a character or introduce a character. Secondary highpoint or low point, i.e. tragic heist movie - crook actually gets the codes to building vault so no turning back now (secondary highpoint & midpoint), but the law is onto him (rising stakes), the codes actually work and he's got the goods (highest point), but escaping he gets caught (end tragedy). Just came up with that as example. I also like what he said about contrast. I think of Room (ACT 1 life in room, midpoint escape, and ACT 2 struggle adjusting to life outside room).

[@fred7796]

Film Courage Snoke dies

[@kamuelalee]

The main character has to sacrifice or be sacrificed for the all important goal.

[@alexispapageorgiou72]

It depends on the story I guess. He's explaining the general concept that's widely accepted because it works so well and correlates to so many films, but it doesn't apply to all ideas. Anything interesting that propels the story forward and keeps the viewers invested would work just fine. I could flip the whole idea on its head and suggest that a big break could be the perfect thing for the midpoint of a specific film. A calm before the storm continues sort of design ...

[@samykingson5427]

i am not sure but i think is the moment that the character discover that his plan do not work .

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

I'm working on my own script right now, Any advice?

[@arcaces2206]

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.