Why You Should Study Megamind

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Today I want to take a look at how Megamind flips a famous premise, creates a meaningful B-plot, and establishes a strong midpoint. And more importantly, how you can do the same in your own writing.
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#Screenwriting #Megamind

[@TylerMowery]

Get Practical Tools to Write Your Great Screenplay: www.practicalscreenwriting.com

[@tonybarnes2920]

It's actually sickening how underrated MegaMind is. People who dislike/hate MegaMind usually bring up Despicable Me. While a fine movie, Despicable and MegaMind are NOT the same. I loved MegaMind so much, I put Easter Eggs about it in my 2014 Strider game. No one knew what I was on about... but that's the fun of being the boss, they didn't have to... so they're there.

[@brobbeh]

Holy molly, there are Megamind easter eggs in Strider!? Congrats on making a sweet game and remake of one of my fave games of my childhood :D Glad you love Megamind! I wish I had been assigned to that movie while I was working there.

[@tonybarnes2920]

@@brobbeh Yeah, Strider 2014 was my love letter to Strider and is loaded up with easter eggs from Strider / Capcom, as well as movies and music I love, like; Prince, Hellraiser, Candyman, Star Wars, Dune and Wizard of Oz, as well as Megamind!

[@tessabakker662]

Yooo that's sick!! Not much of a gamer myself, and I don't know anything about Strider, but I'm checking out some gameplay reels to see if I can't pick out the references and lil' homages you say you included :D

[@tonybarnes2920]

@@tessabakker662 here's someone playing one part in the Prison. When you meet "The Prisoner", check out his dialog and how "odd" the interaction is. It's all on purpose. LOL. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKG0imN5iayimNU

[@remyhavoc4463]

If people hate Megamind and the words "Despicable Me" come out of their mouth, the conversation is already over. There's isn't an argument anymore because everything they say is automatically invalid

[@clarkside4493]

I also loved how they set up Hal. His shirt before he gets his powers is a 404 reference, implying he's not only a nobody, but that there's nothing to him. Just another fun thing about Megamind and how much thought went into it.

[@masicbemester]

my younger brother, who knows more about computer stuff than I do, said "This shirt is wrong. 404 is *page* not found, not *request* not found." and I wonder if that was a mistake or somehow intentional.

[@clarkside4493]

@@masicbemester I'd say intentional since Megamind looks for a hero and it just isn't in Hal.

[@twilightcyber4543]

8:26 Correction: He is just a villain, not a supervillain. Because he doesn't have P R E S E N T A T I O N

[@d.j.mulcahy1657]

Megamind > Despicable Me

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Truth.

[@thewolfofwallstreet627]

Despicable Me was always overrated imo.

[@osmanyousif7849]

One of the reasons I think Megamind works and Despicable Me didn't is with the henchmen. I mean let's compare Minion and Dr Nefario. Minion has shown that he's been there for Megamind his whole life, as it's his duty. For Dr Nefario, we don't really get too much backstory, other than him being that comic relief sidekick, and that he's too old that he can't hear what Gru's telling him to make. Then in the second act, he gets confrontational when Gru starts hanging with the girls and tells him not to get distracted, because their lifetime of work is coming and they must be ready at all cost. He starts getting all pushy an a bit overbearing for no need. I mean where did this all come from, especially since Dr Nefario was the one making the fart gun and boogie-bots. But with Minion, we slowly see how he begins to question Megmind's actions and growing to be more good, that when he sees that he's fallen for Roxanne, he tells him why this isn't how this works, because it's his duty to be the villain, like how it's his duty to look out for him. But that's nowhere shown for Nefario, which I think felt kinda contrived for the film to make the plot happen when he calls the orphanage to send the girls back.

[@thewolfofwallstreet627]

@@osmanyousif7849 well this is partially why I feel despicable me was always overrated along with the minion spin off and sequels. Plus we need to keep in mind part of the reason despicable me was very successful was because not only did it have the advantage of coming out sooner than megamind did, but the film was heavily marketed towards kids especially with the minions. Whereas megamind, it was geared towards adults but it wasn't marketed that well. As much as I think minion from megamind was a great character, the problem is he's not as marketable as any of the minions from despicable me. None of the characters from megamind are. And since most people in the USA still think cartoons should only be made for kids, it's not hard to see why megamind didn't do well in theaters.

[@matityaloran9157]

For the record, Despicable Me is good

[@nielsjensen4185]

The really amazing thing about Megamind is that the original pitch was a live-action movie with fart jokes as the carrying principle. And when that felt though this masterpiece was created instead.

[@MisaPiza]

This movie's story and dialogue are so good yet so underrated, it's ridiculous. I'm very glad you gave it a highlight Tyler.

[@officialchickenn]

Yes

[@OlgaKuznetsova]

In terms of A plot and B plot, I like to think of it as this: both plots are having the conversation about the film's theme, and both talk about it in a different, but complimentary way.

[@melancholyentertainment]

I don't trust anyone who tries to make Megamind out to be any less of a movie than it really is, a masterpiece.

[@scoremoore4280]

yep I studied this movie it's fantastic how they revealed a villain needs a hero and sometimes a hero can be a villain and backwards. That's why I like about watching these things, have you ever seen death note? that concept is also amazing.

[@rainpuppies]

This is my favorite movie ever. The writing is so clever and tidy. Every plot point is resolved and coherent. It’s so fun to watch

[@ahshhr3jeoapjfb3jejeee74]

I can't be the only one who actually thinks megamind is cute and handsome!! his emerald eyes, voice, face expressions and personality really paint out how beautiful he is and that goatee is simply the cherry on top. Chefs kiss to evilly attractive overlord megamind.

[@katiehowell2537]

Oh hi Roxanne lol

[@MrRonald327]

The world of heroes and villains is more complicated than people realize.

[@sifatshams1113]

I saw Megamind 10 whole years ago and loved it immediately. In all that time, hardly anyone ever seems to ever talk about it.

[@RocknRoll301199]

Sorry, but I just found a major flaw in your essay in 8:23 Hal is not a super villain, he's just a villain, because he lacks PRESENTATION

[@osmanyousif7849]

You know, come to think of it, Hal/Titan receiving superpowers due to a scientific chemical, feeling a big sense of entitlement for love and attention he believes he deserves, just because he's powerful enough to get away with anything he wants..... Yeah, the guy's is basically Homelander from The Boys. In fact, both are best described with this quote: "All your gifts, all your powers... you squander them for your own personal gain."

[@_thomas1031]

NEVER had I clicked on a video so quickly, ABSOLUTELY love this movie😄🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@DaDunge]

What I like about this is that it's not as busy being a parody it faisl to be coherent movie. They establish the characters flip the premise and then allow the characters to play out what resultsof the premise being flipped. Everything that happens in the movie happens because of the character traits of the involved characters.

[@joseastiz1775]

Megamind is so underrated. It's an excellent movie i used to watch it all time when I was a kiddo

[@featherguardian6023]

Megamind is one of my all time favorite Movies and this video explains it well of why I love it.

[@featherguardian6023]

Megamind is perhaps my all time favorite Movie, it’s the Most Clever, Funny, Emotional, Relatable, and Brilliant Film with a lot of Unexpected Twists, the Message of Choice, and a Unique Take of Good and Evil.

[@uncolaman99]

Brilliant analysis! One very minor correction: The B-plot has its origin in stage-plays, not space-filling. Minor characters would entertain the audience with their side story while sets and scenery were being changed in the background between scenes.

[@JeffDoyen]

I’m so happy to see that this film is making a comeback in recent years

[@pyreneesgal5823]

Bold of you to assume us Megamind stans need an 11-minute video to explain why we should stan lol

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

He said why you should study.

[@yourlipslikeice]

Haven’t even watched this but you’re absolutely right

[@fructuous7242]

Hey I just rewatched Megamind! I always loved it as a kid and I'm glad people are paying attention to it. Nice video btw

[@riddhimanroy2909]

My writing has improved significantly ever since I started watching your videos. I genuinely owe you a lot.

[@JustClaude13]

I've been reading 19th century sibling adventures, like Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge or Alcott's Jack and Jill. The side stories initially look like filler, but the boys skating to Haarlem are actually furthering the story of Hans' quest for a doctor for his father while providing a lot of valuable background to the cultural framework of the story.

[@almas4663]

I'm so glad this movie is finally getting the attention it deserved. Thanks to movie reactions and memes - Now Megamind is trending all over the world, which may motivate Dreamworks/Illumination to begin working on a sequel to what now is considered a successful movie with a large fanbase. After all - they're doing Puss in Boots 2, so why not continue Megamind?

[@ahshhr3jeoapjfb3jejeee74]

Ikr it baffles me how the boss baby gets a sequel but megamind doesnt

[@callmecharlie4250]

I'm not sure I trust a sequel to be good.

[@spibow]

@@callmecharlie4250 Yeah, same. Megamind's story is complete, I don't really know what they could add without cheapening the message. It's a really high bar that Im not sure they can even meet these days

[@vetaniellecalya1662]

I'd say after watching the short Megamind: The Button of Doom, I kind of understood why it doesn't need a sequel. The story is pretty much finished. He became a good guy, he became a hero and he got his love interest. He no longer has to change and eventhough they could explore the events after him becoming the hero with creating a new villain, it won't have as much impact, when he already changed himself. Well, they could try to let him become obsessed with Metro Man and trying to copy him (kinda what he forced on Hal), *Spoiler* but since that was already covered in that short, there's no need to recycle this idea.*End of Spoiler* And a prequel is even worse since it would only lead to him becoming a villain, so no happy end either. The only thing worth of mentioning would be focusing on Metro Man or Megamind's eventual children. And that doesn't seem highly profitable since the main guy would be degraded to a side character. I'd be rather having Megamind without a sequel, than ruining it with a sequel, that doesn't make any sense.

[@almas4663]

@@vetaniellecalya1662 If Shrek 2 wouldn't' have a thing, we'd call Shrek 1 a finished story with no themes to explore. Same goes for Kung Fu Panda. The point is - we don't know if we need a sequel or not unless we got one.

[@upvotecomment2110]

This is my Favorite case study of yours so far

[@M_k-zi3tn]

Bro i was literally watching this movie like 2 days ago and talking about how amazing it is yet so underrated.

[@thelonelystankmuncher8879]

To be honest I'm kind of glad that megamind didn't have a sequel just look at despicable me and wreck it Ralph granted gru's character only started combusting in the 3rd movie but Ralph got so butchered in part 2 that he's basically an opposite of what he was in the first movie

[@arthurmorganlefaye7626]

He kicked that bus damn hard tho

[@jcaseyjones2829]

WHY ISN'T THIS RECOGNIZED AS A CLASSIC? I guess it was competing with the first minions movie? OMG it's so great. PRESENTATION!

[@ReviewBru]

This channel is truly a hidden gem. Thank you for taking the time to put your videos together with the intent of helping aspiring filmmakers understand story and plot and shedding a whole new light on what a filmmaker is suppose to focus on to captivate their audience. Your hardwork has been noticed, even from all the way in South Africa, keep up the Great Work Sir. Salute!

[@matthewk122]

I always want this movie have a sequel for so long but never going to happen

[@Sticks]

This blew my mind when I first watched it, super subversive 🤩 also congrats on 200k subs!

[@ComicPower]

I. Need to go back and watch this again. This movie is so underrated

[@Disconnected2024]

I definitely approve of this video

[@StoryGameArtist]

Alberto does such a great job with these scripts!

[@albertohalfeld2394]

Why thank you!

[@sadyoshhours2769]

@@albertohalfeld2394 :)

[@williamfrederickiversen3588]

HELL YEAH... HELL YEAH!!!!!!

[@rangopistacho6928]

i made two characters who eventually become love interests. something that megamind showed me that you described is that your love interests should challenge each other, to try out new things, to accept new things. one of the characters belief that creativity and freedom should be for everyone and that royal monarchs or structured fighting or traditions can be restrictive and bad which is what he teaches her. but she in turn also teaches him is that structure and tradition can help with a lot of things, such as the fact that his ability to fight was becoming more unstructured and harder to make successful. the two in turn come to realize that a balance between structure and freedom can make the best improvements to each other both as warriors and as people. that it is important to have infrastructure so that freedom can work with it in harmony. sorry if this text is kinda odd i struggle to explain these kinds of things but the way i design these characters is that their imperfections are what complete each other as a whole, their flaws are what allow them to fix each other and become a genuine working couple. it contributes especially to the plot because it influences their future actions even if they are small minor changes, they still have a big impact. the male character believed that people no matter their actions did not deserve to die as told by his mother , while the female character believed as she was told to believe by her mother that those who have done incredibly wrong do not deserve to exist and must be destroyed in order for there to be peace, but now the message more is that yes some people are indeed wrong that they may deserve to die, but that also some people deserve a second chance and that life is too complicated for one person to decide to just kill everyone or spare everyone and expect it to have good results. real decision making comes from what you do, if you did the same thing over and over it will only do more damage then it helps

[@thedoctor2871]

I watched that movie many times as kid.

[@abylaiashken2611]

Tbh, perfect time to upload the video. Jk, Top quality video as ever!

[@fransuh2853]

Yes

[@patz1008]

nice video, deserves more views ngl

[@benjaminread5287]

I feel like 'price' is perhaps that wrong word, it suggests that the negative event is a direct cause of earning what they want, like the two aren't compatible. But this isn't always the case. For example Megamind would have been able to continue his relationship with Roxane, it was only an unfortunate accident that changed that. This isn't a criticism of what you are trying to say, this is a great video with valuable information, I just think that you either need to explain that a bit more or get a more fitting word. Keep up the good work! (would love to see your views on Ghibli films Tyler)

[@SirBlackReeds]

Ahem, I believe the correct title is "Megamind: Incredibly Handsome Criminal Genius and Master of All Villainy."

[@lewisanderton8062]

My reaction to this thumbnail in my notifications: "You can't be serious. 🤣"

[@GeorgeGeorge-cj6el]

I guess you could say the writer of Megamind was a Megamind

[@psithurismin]

This was helpful. Thank you!

[@767films]

This is brilliant!

[@CatCheshire]

He BELIVES he is bad, but I would not say it is in his nature. I would say, he was nurture in beliving he was bad. He grow up in prison (for some reason xD ) and then was allowed to go to school, where everybody treated him raely bad. They did not want to play games with him, and they were throwing dodgeballs at him. They punished him, when he faild at making popcorn, and when he defended himself from dodgeballs. He never purposely hurt anybody. Until he finally claim title of Super VIllain, and started to play the role everyone was so eager to cast him as (kidnapping Roxane and wandalism obwiously is not good). But even then, he did that the way he was - passionate and ceative. His villanous acts was mostly done as a Show - Battle between Good and Evil. And he wanted to be stoped every time, thats why he did not know what to do, when he finally succeded - that was not his dream, and he did not know how to move on to the next passion or project, because he never accualy had a goal of his own.

[@user-lj4gy7hg7p]

I like your videos so much!!! Thanks!!!

[@mikeluna2026]

Do have in mind this works because Megamind is shown to not be a truly evil person. He just likes to take the role of the bad guy because he thinks that's what he's mean to be (but he never does the worse evil acts, like killing or r4p3). If you expect the evil protagonist to be liked by the end and you don't manage to have the character truly atone for his sins (in the eyes' of the viewers/reader) then you are likely going to end up with an upset viewer/reader. And have in mind atoning is not just doing something good in the end. It's the expectation of paying for your bad deeds (experiencing karma) and then getting to regret your evil actions and getting the desire to do something to make amends. Some which in general this movie accomplishes. Just flipping the script without a thought it's not actually smart.

[@matityaloran9157]

Exactly. It’s why a redemptive arc works for Megamind but not for Kylo Ren

[@katherinealvarez9216]

I'll study purely to understand how to get set up and payoff of that one line.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

What line?

[@katherinealvarez9216]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy Presentation!

[@user-sv5kt8qz3v]

@@katherinealvarez9216 what

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@katherinealvarez9216 oh ok.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

@@user-sv5kt8qz3v that scene where he confronts what his face and says "Oh you're a villain, but you're not a super villain." And I think tighten (?) asks what's the difference between them and megamind goes "Presentation!"

[@officialchickenn]

Big brain 🗿

[@iampicklerick666]

lol funny it came out right when Megamind/snotty boy memes r trending lol

[@daniellevy2272]

I've been saying that for so long

[@roccoderespinis]

Thank you! This movie is criminally underrated.

[@alejandrootero8894]

who is the hero of yardcity?

[@elkingoh4543]

One of the most perfect Dreamworks movies, stand side by side with Prince of Egypt, Shrek 2 and Puss in boots the last wishes

[@gabrieldjatienza6971]

This movie was never meant for sequels....works best as JUST ONE Complete story. The sequel might not be able to recapture the unique magic of this one story .... supervillain who finds redemption.

[@zqxzqxzqx1]

I'm not a writer, just a huge Megamind fan. SUCH a great movie!

[@SIMPLIFIEDFILMING]

I agree Megamind it easily my favorite cartoon

[@rainpuppies]

It’s an animated movie

[@SIMPLIFIEDFILMING]

@@rainpuppies well said. The emotion expressed in the scene where Roxi rejects Megamind in the rain. So real

[@SugarThyme]

Great advice on writing.

[@theseeper422]

I'm so glad that the meme has brought more awareness to this amazing masterpiece

[@christiantwist3360]

9:07 An important part of Megamind and Roxann’s relationship is that while you feel sorry for megamind when he gets dumped, Roxann doesn’t come off as a jerk and she’s completely reasonable in her actions and feelings on the matter

[@quack1119]

Did anyone saw it when it was released??

[@lordpringle6796]

You should make some videos on the old masters… Welles, Fellini, Ford, Kurosawa. I’m always so inspired to write when I watch their films but so intimidated at the same time ):

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

HELL YEEAAAAAAHH

[@viviennemorgan7217]

megamind deserves better.

[@megalosaurusstudios2]

We need a megamind animated series, similar to Batman the animated series

[@johnsullivan6843]

Presentation!!

[@jamesrs30]

can you analyze anime

[@RamblingGreek]

Oh no the memes are spreading

[@vilmundurgunnarsson6601]

Idea for a video Why you should study the films of John Carpenter

[@pristina4628]

Why nobody talk about Bonus Movie from Megamind: The Button of Doom?????

[@moggyme7197]

I want to wright but I genuinely have no ideas

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

That, or you have ideas that you don't really want to do.

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

My most fave chldhood..have lost of figures abse on him back then..safe and sound..just so good!!!

[@thornmollenhoff8698]

could you make a video on what attacking with exposition is for greater clarity.

[@Tawliet]

Study Ratatouille too

[@jakachava3813]

How is the midpoint the part where they cant deny the truth anymore if megamind decides to double down on his villainy? I dont get that part, but other than that, thanks alot! You're really good at explaining how story works. You've helped me out immensely.

[@DanielEarl]

Unpopular opinion: Megamind is better than The Incredibles

[@iampicklerick666]

agreed. dreamworks r far more better pixar and disney

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

That's fair. I'm indifferent to which one is better, but I like both.

[@scoremoore4280]

I'll have to say giving the 2 I'd always choose megamind.

[@aceofspades436]

@@iampicklerick666 ehh…. More inconsistencies with Dreamworks.

[@aeternumiudexem]

A few months ago we were doing an antiheroes unit in my english2 class we ended up convincing our teacher to let us watch and study megamind! (Perks of going to an art school) It was honestly very interesting and made me like a movie that I was never too interested in

[@dreadedmind92]

My Hero Academia actually does this too. I'd argue a little better because it has a series to explore this nature vs nurture philosophy. But I'll have to revisit Megamind again because I didn't really like it much. Great video, Tyler.

[@abylaiashken2611]

Bro, you are comparing a long-running manga/anime series to a 90 min family film.

[@dreadedmind92]

@@abylaiashken2611 That's kinda what I JUST said? That the series has more room for varied exploration than Megamind. But that's not to say Megamind didn't achieve it first because it did subvert the superhero tropes before MHA did. So I knew what I was saying.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Wait, how does it explore Nature vs. Nurture, now?

[@dreadedmind92]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy I'm mostly emphasizing Shigaraki and how the origins of his hate and destructive tendencies (which like Megamind, the origin comes from society creating their villains) are natural or are they nurtured by his mentor, All For One. If youre as far into the story as I am, that idea is being definitely explored further. Especially since far, Shiggy is put into a position where he can either change his perspective or fall victim to the monster that helped create him for ulterior motivated reasons.

[@dreadedmind92]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy This also applies to Dabi and Endeavor, and we know what Endeavor has done and Nature vs Nurture, even if that nurtured evil is inadvertent or not, is explored too.

[@noktinnkynoktinnky1329]

Hal not a super villain though he is a villain

[@reinaldothecringemaster3728]

Hello I have subscribed to your KZbin channel

[@Chuck_00]

Snotty boy memes

[@snoogiepew]

was this video due to the Tighten tik tok trend?

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

I highly doubt it. Maybe it was, or maybe because it's actually a movie worth studying.

[@sais640]

Study Megamind or Go to college Only one brings fullfilment

[@thedoctor2871]

Can you make a video about "Why you should study Ghibli".

[@SHIVAMRAJ-ne2ip]

Please make a analysis video on 'Squid Games'

[@Eddierath]

People who say this story is "underated" don't know what that means. At least explain why you think that is so. Lay out your reasoning so that we can agree . Don't just say it for the sake of statement.

[@pufelmulticolorido]

It's underrated because it was initially (and for a long while) received with mediocre critical reception, had no big commercial return, and got forgotten in the DreamWorks catalog while other and often inferior properties (e.g. Boss Baby, The Croods, Trolls) were awarded sequels and spin-offs

[@juiceboxhero3952]

Not true to day I have to seen

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

What?

[@senister14]

If you say you're a writer and you've studied that field than you should know how this movie does have bad writing, specifically the villian problem.

[@wertwuio283]

And now there making a shitty sequel😒

[@Over0w0MeAmTheHotel]

They already made it and it’s definitely not canon

[@chrisdonian6263]

Whatever you have done, no matter how bad you life is, there is hope. Jesus died in our place, that all our sins could be forgiven. He saved me from lustful videos, depression and hate and has given me new life, a new heart. He can do the same for you, only if you believe and become saved by his grace not your own works(since we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God).

[@aaron4647]

Tyler has no references he is a newbie and tries you to sell his own course. It is a making money strategy and you will learn crap from him. It works like a placebo you think you making progress but really you only learn techniques which are not worth to learn and also brings you up from learning your own style of creating new ideas and stories. He only made 1 script, he has not won any Filmfestival/Oscar etc. It is the same for most of the courses. You do not need any paid courses to get good in writing. Do not listen to this bullshit!!!