Writing For Emotional Impact - Karl Iglesias [FULL INTERVIEW]

[@Automatic-Evolution]

The woman is really good at giving interviews. She listens. She asks insightful questions. She is good at spotting the compelling point in any statement and getting the speaker to elaborate on that point. A lot of the reason all these writers seem so interesting is because she is very good at her job.

[@billyalarie929]

I was as engaged with the questions as I was the answers. Not the first time I've felt that way with her. Excellent interviewer. Really really on point.

[@StayFractalesque]

agree wholeheartedly!

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

Well said kudos to her🙌👏

[@WorkTheMagicWithin]

BOOM. “The reason all these writers seem so interesting is because she is very good at her job”

[@TheVeganButcher]

She's great! Does she appear in some film courage video?

[@silverscreencc]

I do a lot of things alone. I would rather do what I want by myself than not do what I want to do. Movie theatre, restaurant, museum, gardens, it doesn’t matter. I’m ok with it. There are so many golden nuggets of advice in this interview. Thank you

[@kevinreily2529]

I’ve dedicated my life to traveling all over the world, my deepest passion. If I had to wait for somebody else I would’ve never gone anywhere.

[@1WomenScorned]

I was thinking the same thing. I didn’t know people looked down upon me because I went out alone. I truly don’t care.

[@SNAFU2025]

We would all get along really well!

[@TheRWE12]

Writing for Emotional Impact is without doubt the BEST screenplay book I own out of like 30 I own.

[@SamuraiJonez]

Like this guy's style. His high concept definition, the "It's all about love" summation of the relational connection to the characters - he's a real O.G.

[@DenNationishere]

This dude is my fav so far. Literally took notes the entire time

[@filmcourage]

It always surprises us when someone says they take notes and at the same time we love to hear that you are actively engaged. One of our New Year's goals is to transcribe as many of our videos as we can. It will take a while before we have a full interview like this fully transcribed. Keep an eye out on our website, most of our shorter videos have been transcribed so far this year.

[@HingrettKatherine2]

This is good for translation too. facilitates to people to translate to another language if they want ^^

[@jazzylust]

me too!!!

[@LeChatsMother]

I began watching this in a passive manner then suddenly found myself also taking notes. Great teacher. Great interview. I'd also love to see other interviews with him. He's amazing. Thank you so much for this - not only informative but also enlightening and inspiring.....and truthful.

[@joeygonzo]

Literally?

[@howardkoore8863]

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” ― Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings

[@JoshHarrisPhotography]

Great interview. He has a gift for framing a concept in simple terms. I had a lot of “a-ha!” moments watching this.

[@drimeloca]

Wow, "everything the character says should be the character's line, what they want to say, not the writer."

[@howardkoore8863]

“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” ― Joan Didion, The White Album

[@thomasdematteo2281]

This is a masterclass. Intemtim and obstacle are the drivers of plot. The character writes the story. Be true to the character and they will propel the story.

[@sidsid5442]

Karl Iglesias is a master of the art.

[@Sams.Videos]

The problem is not "how to tell great storries", the problem is "how do you take any story and make it great." "Any story can be intetesting, it depends on how it's done." - Mr. Harry S. Plinkett.

[@paigerasmussen5212]

Mostly truisms in this interview.

[@jazzylust]

I appreciate being able to view these videos before I go to film school

[@jjkhawaiian]

I think this is one of the best interviews I've seen. Karl is easy to listen to, packed with information, and shows us, the new writers, a personal side of writing. I think your interviewer is also engaging, has some really great questions, and also easy to listen to. I would like to meet both of you someday.

[@albertusbodenstein1976]

Plumbers block..! Loved that part of the interview.

[@GUPRPEET-Singh]

39:22 to 40:00 my goodness...what an analogy..... this guys has something in him...that made me watch entire video even it is too lengthy..

[@filmmike]

One of my favorites yet.

[@kareemarashdan4162]

Seriously this guy is fucking amazing. I would listen to him speak anywhere. Great job!

[@KiingCam96]

I took a lot of notes from this video. Pure gold mine! Thank you Film Courage for providing incredible value.

[@howardkoore8863]

“It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.” ― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

[@mizanursakib2076]

the interviewer is sooo soothing to the ears 🎼💗

[@anon9245]

I never thought to connect actual brain chemistry to why we engage so emotionally to stories.

[@LouCadle]

Lisa Crohn has a couple of good books, one called Wired For Story, that delves more into modern neurology findings and what they mean for novelists (could apply to screenplays)

[@tamatera]

Most objectively helpful advice in storytelling on this channel.

[@monarch.war2024]

You are the man ... u have just demystified the emotional factor ! My. Biggest doubt about empathy for the character has been resolved ... Thanks a lot

[@Tubeflux]

Thank you!! Marvelous insight into story telling. And this writer has a sympathetic way communicating his craft...

[@ryanharris6833]

I have to pause this piece of gold! So glad I found this interview. Already giving me a therapeutic ease for my book in progress! Great tips! Thank you so much!

[@aerozg]

Purpose and meaning, that's what stories need, as he said at the beginning of the video. So true!

[@r.bongvergara749]

One gem from this interview, "a story is a sugar-coated pill," also describes this channel. It's edutainment. It's my edutainment, and I learn from every video. -- Would love the perspectives of Indigenous writers and filmmakers, too, if feasible; I imagine that their non-Western take on the nature of story would be refreshing.

[@guillermoborgognoni94]

Great, great interview, guys!!! Karl Iglesias's point of view about writing is completely amazing. Such a huge discover to me, finding this filmwriter.

[@tommytrouble3595]

This guy is a really good teacher! Can you do more interviews with him in the future please?? P.S great interview as usual! :)

[@cynthiahamil9801]

Great discussion - I really like this stream of consciousness and the interview process. He is a very good speaker. I am learning a lot listening to him. Thanks so much for doing this interview! I love it!

[@gamechanger7545]

That's cause he clearly knows very well what he's talking about. He left one gap in the first part when saying that in order to experience the lesson the writer wants you to, you have to watch a character experience it, and 5 mins later he perfected it by saying that only if you connect to the character that becomes possible.

[@MalachiVanHaynes]

this was like therapy. thank you, really great

[@emmanuelnwosu7860]

This is an eye opener as a new writer.

[@landofthesilverpath5823]

Stories are the means by which we prepare ourselves for life.

[@titiwa5768]

Is this yours? Like that. So true

[@landofthesilverpath5823]

@@titiwa5768 I know I heard it somewhere. But I can't remember where

[@shaisankofa]

Thanks!

[@filmcourage]

Thank you so much Shai! We appreciate you giving back and supporting our channel!

[@arzanist]

Its an honour to see this video. Extremely informative. Wonderful experience shared here. Thanks a lot Karl.

[@bunnytarot]

Your instinctive & savvy reflexes in milking your interviews are almost athletic, truly exceptional channel! I’m addicted ! 🙏💜

[@antfaz]

Turn us into magicians, Karl! Keep talking!!! 📚📚📚👨‍🎓👨‍🎓👨‍🎓

[@Kreiss9281]

This is my favorite episode

[@IntiFeelmaker]

That is GREAT: stories help us evolve😲, and I LOVED the techniques to make you care for a character. We can tell Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, etc. just nail these techniques, haha

[@JoannaDeVoe]

This is so fabulous & greatly appreciated. THANK YOU.

[@seanferguson5460]

Whoa! I watch your channel to learn or refine my understanding of the tools of the trade. I wasn't expecting a fundamental revelation into human nature but...Whoa! I gotta get his book!

[@howardkoore8863]

Wonderful interview...thank you

[@taylorgavinchuk2285]

so true about being alone in solitude.

[@sandrascott8649]

I love his transparency in speaking his truth. Thank you Film Courage. And please thank Mr. Iglesias for such a great interview.

[@filmcourage]

You are more than welcome... and maybe Mr. Iglesias will come across your comment.

[@sandrascott8649]

Film Courage Yes, I would love to speak with him in person!☺

[@keycityproductions4702]

Those was an exquisite interview. It had my attention they whole time and coming from me that's hard to do 😂. I learned a lot from him. His accent even reminded me of Serge from the art gallery on the Beverly Hills Cop movie.

[@demetriusdion286]

I went to his seminar at UCLA in 2009, a great teacher and class. His book "Writng for Emotional Impact" is a great book as well. Another great book I highly recommend is a book by Gary Provost named "Make Your Words Work." One of the greatest books I have read on Character Development is called "Characters make your Story" by Maren Elwood, and plot development "Story Plotting Simplified" by Eric Heath.

[@cinematiki1787]

This guy is a master in explaining

[@casablanca617]

@2 Black 2 Strong ...

[@jerrygraves6531]

It's also because he's a expert writer.

[@chancelewis6514]

Great lessons again thank you guys😊

[@Hank-the-Writer]

One of the most succinct explanations of the power & value of "story" in existence. And Karl's obvious enthusiasm is infectious. Thanks!

[@sehkhyro]

these videos are the greatest things ever

[@gamechanger7545]

Writer's block isn't fear. I think it's pretty much in the majority of the cases, lack of information. Incomplete research, don't know your character all that well or the other person in the conversation and so on and so forth, or you're simply trying to write a story that just isn't there ... If you have all the information, then you simply put on paper what you already know. 1 and a half-hour of tutoring and I managed to disagree only with one thing. Personal best :)

[@terrylaguardia6838]

Curious to know, since it can contribute: may I ask, what did you have a divergent perspective on?

[@MewChocolateTruffle]

These interviews are so interesting to listen to while i'm animating, so many information to take in!

[@KimTownsel]

Eating alone in restaurants is normal and enjoyable for me; it startles me when others are concerned. 😅🤣😂 My No People Days are awesome.

[@gonzaloleon-gelpi9776]

Yeah, who cares what somebody else thinks. I eat out by myself frequently.

[@Thinkaboutit33]

At 11 minutes already had to stop and go to Amazon to pick up the book.

[@filmcourage]

Nice to hear! Hope you enjoy the book... and get a chance to enjoy the rest of this interview : )

[@drimeloca]

This book totally ruined my social life for a few weeks! I could not put it down and get out of the house! Totally recommend it!

[@mallmone3562]

Very Helpful.. Thank You..

[@edanya]

I like this guy, so easy to listen to. a wealth of info. underrated clip. all of the good stuff on KZbin is underrated. clowns are getting wealthy.

[@film_magician]

Love his book. Have to check out the newer one. Great interview!

[@MonsieurCKC]

best interview. he seems to be a really nice and interesting guy ! Thx a lot for sharing it !

[@r.i.p.4485]

PLOT twist: he kills aspiring writers and takes their stories. BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@nero9248]

Had to immediately buy the book as well. This is so on point, you can not glimpse how well thought through this is. Really provides the focus on certain aspects I need to work on more. Great work!

[@Sumarluco]

I love hearing him talk. Nice interview.

[@oe4038]

Man! This guy is brilliant!! And the interviewer is smart too!

[@filmcourage]

Thanks! Love being able to share this one.

[@username4570]

I'm quite sure I watched a very extensive behind the scenes video talking about how American Beauty was completely rewritten into an entirely different story and genre during production

[@FrancisXLord]

I'm 7:42 into this and I keep pausing it so I can look up what he's talking about. Oxytocin just blew my f***ing mind! He has possibly just finished the circle of my understanding about human behaviour - suddenly everything else makes absolute sense.

[@marianamribeiro3694]

Amazing interview! Thank you so much Film Courage, interviewer and Karl, for this rich content

[@djtanyjavaga]

If i'm correct a writer might prefer to be alone sometimes to feel his real conection or percieve human depth, or to be with company if the goal is to achieve something comun about the surface or social interactions for a purpuse, so there are different states to accomplish stories and motives when writing. Observation, personal perception and clear understanding are important to become a good writer. Not one yet but im learning everyday :)

[@franknyambe3965]

Wow...❤ Very practical

[@curtiscaliber]

For me stories that sound like reality are the best ones. Even those not necessarily based on a true story.

[@firstlast-or2rc]

This was great like this one much more then others on par with the very best

[@prometheus200]

I love this. He’s very clear in his analysis and quite relatable. Only thing I disagree with is at the end there. I think any writer ought to know their personal story. I look at it this way, on a scale of 1-10, 1 being Jerry Seinfeld and 10 being Richard Pryor, both amazing story tellers because both create from a resonating truth about their lives, even with the stark difference. Your personal story helps your resonate and discern human dynamics better, deepen emotional intelligence and reach Writer Nirvana; Empathy and understanding, the ability to write a character good or bad without selling their morality to the audience. It’s why we love anti heroes. Personal stories help us scale and exaggerate conflict, creating explosive entertainment with heart. George Lucas may not have been in space but He knows how underdogs felt, so why not write a movie with one in space. Write what you know.

[@fraserwhyte7109]

I would argue that it is not necessary to know your entire personal story. But I think it is important to come from a place of emotional depth. That might mean exploring your own particular personal issues or those of family or friends. The core wound of your protagonist, for example, might not come from your personal story but it might well come from someone you know intimately. And often, when exploring these singular behaviours or moments, deep insight and revelations occur for not only your characters but also the writer. Like Karl explains, the key is to explore the psychology of relationships and knowing what each character wants. I think it is beyond most writers to know those dynamics without being able to fall back on something specific they have lived or indirectly experienced.

[@kleindavid9416]

the interviewer is REALLY top of the game!

[@transcendingsoul5099]

Aweeeehh,,, 😤😌😏💛✨,, heart just totally lit up when talking about the impacts of neurology & brain pathways 😍❤✨

[@shaker7804]

Superb and concise insight!!!!!

[@finalform4971]

a true master of the craft

[@finalform4971]

To elaborate, Karl is beyond wonderful in this interview, after hearing many different others talks about the craft, when some information are more than simple advice, they are "truth". Comparing the set of information to other interviewees, you know Karl truly sees the craft in its full authenticity. Karl understands the correlation between stories, more importantly, he understands the potential emphatic value of stories. That statement is a subjective one, allow me to defend, and perhaps add a bit extra information. (When I use the term writer, below, I mean storyteller, writer may be the profession, good storytelling is the why) There is respect for anyone whom have dwell into their craft after a certain measure, whether that measure be years time spent, the so called "10,000 hours", or Grammy accolades, at some point, a person have earned the title of a "writer". To themselves, to others, it is different from one to the next. It is a relative view, and no easy measure that one can take to decide. No one can say whether someone else is a writer or not, nor should they. For if you are denying someone else the title of writer, you are no longer just a writer, you are doing something else. A writer writes, that is all. Everything beyond that is beyond the "reason" for writing. Now that last paragraph explaining an opinionated view of respect perspective is finally done with, I can get to my point finally. Will try to explain in words, if you guys heard many talks, many workshops, many discussions, you guys know "the feeling" then, when you hear information that changes the craft for yourself, allowing you to look at the craft through a "new different window", a new perspective. These are rare moments, in the numerous sea of information regarding what "good storytelling/writing" is, this type of information that you keep for life is rare. You treasure them, for you only experience that "new truth" once, and keep it forever. This is not the first time listening to this particular interview with Karl. This interview was one of my earlier findings among the sea of information on my everlasting journey to becoming "a writer". Tears are wanting to fall, as so many others talk about the craft in such superficiality. It is a good and bad. There is respect for all, even the "superficial" type of advisers. Karl is true master of the craft though, meaning there is an understanding of what a story is, what it is cannot be put into word so easily, and to think any correlation or formula would unlock the true height, the true nature of the craft is the bliss of the blinds. To me, one way to look at it is to separate all stories into two types. The former, the type of story that is to be remembered, to be timeless, not because it was heavily designed to be good, not because fifty drafts went into it, not because we wanted to remember, this type of story is just "that good, that memorable", the human nature inherently knows this type. Whether we are expert writers or less experience, we can differentiate this former type to the other type........ the type we forget. Not because they were not good, not because they were not written masterfully, not because we didn't want to, they were not remembered, because they were not remembered. Before writing was commercialize, before writing symbols on papyrus was known, stories was how we communicated. Story is communication. In extension, it was the only way to pass information from one generation to the next, through oral stories. When Karl say we are "hard-wire" for stories, this is partly why, our very survival as individuals and small groups once depended on it. This information is both hollowing and uplifting simultaneously regarding the craft. Nowadays, when we don't have to worry about wolves hunting us in the night, stories have became another way to experience. We are not selfish because we only wants to experience the "best stories", we only have so much time, and with the abundant of stories being written these days, we are given the luxury of choices. Although "masterpieces" are still written frequently, in my own opinion, we have so much more writers today, and the same rate of masterpieces being written in this current time frame compared to golden ages, before radio, before television, the language of story was more "extravagant". That is my view of stories. Any other objectionable "truth" claimed from formula, are merely formulas. Formulas, although useful, are rarely the vital ingredient for a "timeless story", formula merely signify the correlation. Any master writer knows this well, they do not desire any "formula", they desire the soul itself from the story. I am so tired of hearing about formula, or any "advice" that you know to be somewhat kind of true, but not really. For if writing masterpieces were that easy as knowing a few tools and formulas, if all you needed was to attend myriad of workshops, graduate with a literature degree, a lot more writers would be masterclass. Yet, only so few ever reach true mastery. I think of tools and formulas as being utensils most masters have and utilize, but that is all they are. Mastery does not come from tools and formulas, mastery is mastery. It can not easily be explained, it can however be easily recognize. Mr. Karl. A true master. Only so few. Others like Truby, I watched and cringed nearly every 10 seconds. I made it through the 2 hours 30 min though, two separate interview from Truby since experiencing every notes, I can pick out the notes I would like to keep. Much respect for Truby, he seems prominent in the field. Just not my cup of tea.

[@andrianatreasure7004]

Thanks this is great.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Andriana, glad you found this one.

[@moviesovermatterproductions]

Fantastic interview! Iglesias gave some very useful info! I have sticky notes upon sticky notes! Lol! Seriously, such valuable information here! Thoroughly explained, learnt a lot! Many thanks

[@jayiu9170]

I cannot thank enough for these full interviews! I've lost track of how many I've watched already. Corey Mandell, Michael Hauge, William C. Martell, Steve Kaplan, theirs are actual master classes. Looking forward to study these interviews deeper. Thank you so much, Film Courage. You guys are life savers!

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Jay, we are happy to hear that you are gaining so much from our interviews. Look out for our full interview with Larry Wilson on Tuesday night. It has about an hour of unreleased content.

[@DavidHauserLoveGuide]

How do you find a great collaborator for a sci-fi based on Velikovsky's book? LOVED every word here, so insightful, great questions, and eloquent answers.

[@howardkoor2796]

Sensational interview. Thank you

[@TyphanyGarcia]

This was eye opening to me

[@MahmoudOscarMD]

Very informative and helpful. Thank you

[@BriceKamgang]

What a great interview 🤩🙌🏿🤩. I’m currently reading his book writing for emotional impact. Very interesting ☺️ Thanks for this amazing content 🙏🏽

[@reelscreenwriting8940]

Thanks for this :) Always valuable content, I love it.

[@jeniferdunn4670]

Great advice.

[@spongebob03]

Since he’s never been disappointed by a Pixar movie, I would LOVE to hear him talk about Brave, Cars 2 &3, The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory. I would be curious to see if he can make me feel differently about this movies by giving his perspective on them. Especially Cars 2! It felt like Pixar struggled to find the heart and it felt shoehorned into the story.

[@spongebob03]

@ I always felt like Finding Dory was Andrew Stantons way of apologizing to Disney, for John Carter’s box office performance. Wall-E is a very personal movie, for me. While watching Dory, at some point, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that this was an Andrew Stanton movie. It lacked the oomph of his past work. Never would have imagined I would be even MORE disappointed, years later, when I turned Soul off, after watching thirty and change. Pete Doctor is my favorite Pixar director. Something about his style. I saw Up ten times in the theater. I still play the soundtrack. Inside Out left me crying like a baby, while I sat in the theater. It came out at the right time. I was leaving my childhood home. Even good memories are sad memories, we’ll never get them back. I has heartbroken. I miss that Pixar...A LOT. I’m not going to bother with Luca. Not even the trailers interest me.

[@JamesDocMason]

Shawshank Redemption came out at the same time as Pulp Fiction, and was also competing with Forrest Gump. The title itself was a roadblock for audiences. They simply couldn't pronounce it. When it was released on video, it found an audience. It's constant play on TV, like It's a Wonderful Life, turned it into a beloved classic.

[@MrShanester117]

James Mason Kinda... it grossed 58 million when it came out and about 80 million after when it had its renaissance

[@markrpope3]

MrShanester117 But what was the profit? How much did it cost to make and how much did it cost to market it? What was the ROI? How does it’s ROI compare to other “successes”?

[@livenlight]

Great info! Thanks

[@noelhoffmann6057]

I think we have a responsibility to not "dumb down".

[@MichaelYoder1961]

I agree - I'm a big horror fan, but the Indie movies are all formula and "pablum" - no substance and predictable and when there's a plot twist, it's refreshing.

[@claudio6032]

He should make a "Masterclass" ... i will buy his Books! Great Storytelling insides here! Thanks a lot for this good and deep Interview.

[@RavinderSingh-ft5dw]

Superb work dear

[@jackspadeofalltrades]

Thank you for making consistent great content. This is my fav screenwriting/filmmaking channel

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Jack. There are so many fantastic channels here on KZbin. We are humbled by your comment. We appreciate your support. Keep creating.

[@jackspadeofalltrades]

@@filmcourage No problem. You all interview people of substance, I love it.

[@Felix-z2r]

Great interview and lots of good advice.

[@catherinebrower3560]

Just want to throw it out there but going to a restaurant by yourself is a great way to get some stories. Just sit at the bar :)

[@AndromedaImagination77]

Tony Gilroy, Stephen Gaghan, Aaron Sorkin, Michael Arndt, Christohper McQuarrie, William Goldman, Steven Knight, Beau Willimon, Nic Pizzolatto, Jonathan Nolan... there's more, but you got a pretty good list there!

[@roadcrewfilms]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[@reginamontana942]

This is tremendously helpful to me as a writer of children's stories and author-wannabe. Thank you Mr. Iglesias.

[@Snooze_Addict]

Pure gold! So much useful information!

[@bforman1300]

LOL! I've gotten much of my best feedback from my sister. She is absolutely brutal but gives me a lot to work with. She's busy with her own life now and doesn't have time, and I'm left trying to get that from others and they are far too inclined to be gentle and it's frustrating.

[@arne8038]

Interesting answers..

[@TyphanyGarcia]

He really talks about knowing,,, I mean really knowing your characters,, but on a different level than what the average person is thinking 🤔,,