Writing Flashcards
Intention and Obstacle
Aaron Sorkin - Essential for any story. Without intention and obstacle, you just have journalism
Protagonist doesn’t have to overcome the obstacle, but he has to try.
Aaron Sorkin
It’s not until you introduce the intention that you’ve really begun the story.
Aaron Sorkin
It’s not until you introduce the obstacle that conflict has begun.
Aaron Sorkin
Leaving a play ($$$) is a hard thing to do, but leaving a movie is easier ($), but it’s easy to change the channel on a TV show.
Aaron Sorkin
In a TV show, you have to introduce the obstacle and conflict within 2 minutes. You have longer with movies, and even longer with plays because of the cost and effort.
Aaron Sorkin
If it’s the place you’re attracted to, it’s a TV series
Aaron Sorkin
If there’s no more story after this, it’s a feature
Aaron Sorkin
When writing characters, anything that is not intention or obstacle is unnecessary. No long biographies.
Aaron Sorkin
Dialogue takes up more room on the page and less time on the screen than action which takes up less room on the page and more time on the screen.
Aaron Sorkin
Once you have the conflict, once you have the intention and the obstacle, it’s like a taut clothesline and you can hang everything else on. Building that taut clothesline is the most important thing you can do
Aaron Sorkin
Dialogue- We’re all just migratory birds- Caroline to Marissa.
Caroline to Marissa
Yes, Jesus loves you. But Jesus loves everybody. That doesn’t mean that you’re special.
Dialogue- CEO
Don’t put it in your backpack if you’re not prepared to carry it
David Mamet
I wouldn’t trust Freddie if I were you Ma’am. He’s always badmouthing the monarchy
Dialogue- Bodyguard Ahmad to Viola about Rico, the king’s bodyguard.
