Chapter 6

This Is a Great Idea, But Is It a Movie?

THE STORY IS EVERYTHING

If you are planning to make films, whether as a creator or as someone who is on the support side—development, production, marketing, or distribution—you must understand story. Without story you have no script, and without a good script you have no movie worth making.

What is a great story? It may be a matter of opinion, but it’s safe to say that when we’re looking at stories intended to become movies, there are some common elements. In general, a good story involves a journey, a mission of some kind. The journey can be emotional, mental, or a true physical journey, but there must be change—either a real or metaphorical—in getting from one place or mental or emotional state ...

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