Inneresting 70
issue 70
October 1st, 2021
Think about blocking to get unblocked
Imagining how to stage a scene for the screen can help create more dynamic pages.
Epic Light Media breaks down the basics of blocking: deciding where and how characters move in a scene.
Studio Binder looks at how blocking makes more engaging dialogue scenes.
For examples of how cinematic composition conveys a sense of control or power, check out this video essay from The Cinema Cartography.
Thinking about the (story) environment
In John’s blog post “How to write a scene,” he makes a point about finding environments for scenes that add potential for dynamic blocking:
“The most obvious setting for a scene is generally the least interesting, so don’t be too quick to set your scene in the police bullpen, a living room, or a parking garage. Always consider what the characters could be doing, even if it’s not directly related to the focus of the scene.”
Environment plays a big role in crafting set-pieces: those big scenes or sequences with high stakes (and high production values). For some examples, check out this list assembled by Collider of great action set-pieces from the 2010s.
For another perspective, Aaron A. Reed shares the story of Shades of Doom, a first-person shooter created by a blind game designer, and details the inventive narrative and gameplay devices used to convey environment in an audio-only game.
In Case of Emergencies: Try Traveling
A new location can break a character out of their comfort zone. Putting them somewhere unfamiliar cuts off the security of old routines.
It also gives you a chance to showcase how they choose to navigate this new environment. Do their old strategies have a new use, or do they need to try something out of the ordinary?
If your scenes aren’t sparking, consider if there’s a reason to change the scenery.
For more suggestions on how to pull yourself out of a writing rut, check out the Writer Emergency Pack!
Other Cool Things
If you like petting dogs, retro website design, and counting, One Million Pats may sit at the center of your Venn diagram.
“You can accrue a delicately curated digital library of music only to have it thrown into disarray when the app changes.” Kyle Chayka writes about how digital content ended the idea of the meaningful personal collection.
An interview with James Cook, typewriter artist.
And that’s what’s inneresting this week!
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