This is an new experiment for me who learned how to type on a manual typewriter. The way we write movies, the physical way, has come a long way since then. But good movies still rely on the basics - structure, characters, action, and dialogue. I’ll be occasionally posting mini-lectures as issues come up. Feel free to email me a question at paul@rewritementor.com, and if it’s of interest to all, I’ll answer it here. Thanks for participating.
PC
Question: I’m stuck in the middle of the second act. My protagonist seems to be wandering without focus. What should I do?
Answer: Most problems at that stage can be solved by figuring out what the protagonist’s goal is and then having him pursue it. By the middle of the second act (the middle of your movie), your protagonist will probably change his goal from something he wants (his exterior goal) to something he really needs. Once you discover what his goal is, have him pursue it in every scene. That will drive your story.
Do you have a question for the Rewrite Mentor?
Email it to paul@rewritementor.com