Lights, Camera, Action...Why Movie Watching is a Must For Improving Your Creative Writing

Most of us recognize the importance of being an avid reader when it comes to becoming a fully-realized writer. In fact, few would argue that reading the works of other talented authors allows us to examine flow, fuel our imagination, understand structure, appreciate the needs of an audience, expand our vocabularies, and explore an array of techniques for effective story telling.

But, did you know that a "flick fix" can also provide valuable "teachable moments" to enhance your writing process and help you become a more intelligent, engaging writer?

In some ways, it can even be better. Here's why.

Though good writers have a natural appreciation for books and literature, today's frantic pace may prevent many of us from immersing ourselves in a story that may take days, weeks, or months to evolve and ultimately end.

By contrast, we can derive some of the same benefits with a minimal investment of time, through movies. Though each medium has its advantages and disadvantages, don't overlook the virtues of this popular past-time. Kick back, relax and discover the merits of a little movie therapy...

Here are a few things that I've learned in the process:

Never insult your audience. Whether it's a movie treatment, feature story, or book, make sure that your story line is well developed, authentic, and answers key questions for optimal comprehension.

Get to the point. Pronto, please. I hate movies (or books) that take forever to develop and unfold. Many times, by the time they do, my interest has waned.

Write for your audience--not for yourself. Though there are different schools of thought here, I believe that when we put our audience's needs first, we tend to take more effort in producing our best work. We check for spelling and grammar. We review, revisit and revise. We care. We attend to the small details. If you seek to write for yourself, may I suggest a diary? :-)

The ending should always bring reasonable closure. A good movie, that ends really well, will make you feel like you want to light up a cigarette, (even if you don't smoke). :-)

Pacing is important. And so is length. If the treatment is too brief, readers feel cheated. If it's too long, readers may feel overwhelmed or bored. Balance is crucial.

The more you tap into universal emotions and themes, the more you're able to draw your audience in and create a connection. No matter what race, religion or age, most folks can relate to loss and sadness, to love and family dysfunction, to laughter and children, to having dreams and aspirations, to friendship. Get the point here?

Dissecting movies helps to improve our analytical thinking skills. Can you see any flaws? Any holes in the story? What would you do differently? These are issues good writers often explore.

To illustrate my point here, I'd like to offer three examples of some of the best, thoughtful, creative writing regarding movies and story development.

RESERVATION ROAD

OUR FAMILY WEDDING (With Lance Gross)

MUST LOVE DOGS (John Cusak)

If you have the opportunity to rent these, or perhaps check them out of your local library, you'll see that even though they're of different genres, (two are comedies, the other a drama), the writing and screen development is excellent. Every line makes sense. Every scene is important. The characters are convincing. The endings are nicely done and cleverly crafted. They evoke an array of emotions. To sum it up, they're "worth the price of admission".

And your writing will be too, if you take some tips from today's movies and incorporate them in your creative work.

Thoughts? Agree or disagree? Have you viewed any "inspiring" movie lately? Or any where you felt cheated by the end?

Image: Stockphotosforfree