If you want to pursue a career as a screenwriter you first have to learn the fundamentals. And by that I don’t mean you have to apply for a screenwriting course or enroll into an University course, no, I’m talking about the there essentials of storytelling.
They are (not necessary in this order)
- The Bible
- Greek Mythology
- Shakespeare
What do I learn from the bible, you might ask. It’s a book for believers, why should I care. Well it’s easy. The bible is actually the oldest book there is and the stories narrated in there usually contain of good and evil, and the never ending battles between those two. So what you learn is how epic battles are set up and fought. And how triumph is generated when the good defeats evil.
What is there to learn from greek mythology?
Almost all major blockbuster movies nowadays have one thing in common. They all have a hero. That hero is on a journey and we as the audience are routing for him to win the fight against all evil. It’s called the heroes journey. This isn’t something we invented in the 20th century, no its something we adapted from greek mythology.
What does Shakespeare teach us?
I’m sorry to be so bold, but I have to say Shakespeare teaches us everything else there is to know about character development, story arcs, dramatic endings, love, death and life.
A fellow writer friend recommended this following book to me, and I have to say after reading it struck my so hard that the essential key elements of creating a compelling character are all there in Shakespeares work, and J.M. Evenson did an amazing job filtering them out and presenting them in an easy and very applicable way.
So go get this book!!! Read an excerpt here
