What is Fiction?

Even if your film is based on real events, you will still use your imagination to write your account of the events.

What is a story? What is a good story? Some bad stories do exist, but of course everyone wants the good ones.

No one wants to tell a dull story. Just look around: only unusual and extraordinary events catch our attention. We want to be surprised, amazed and intrigued by stories. They must be interesting! Your screenplay must be riveting.

It is important to make a clear distinction between a story and an account of a story.

A story is formed by the set of actions your hero embarks upon to fulfill his/her aim.

An account of a story is formed by the series of moments in the film - the scenes - that give a particular version of the story. Various accounts can be given of the same story.

A writer’s task is to imagine, choose and carefully organize the moments that best tell a story.

Exercise 1

What do you enjoy in a story?

Try to answer the following questions: What is a good story? What should it contain? What is a bad story?

Help

Note what makes you enjoy other people’s stories. Think about films you have seen. Write down and remember what made you enjoy certain stories more than others.

Be logical! If your screenplay has nothing in common with your favorite films, there’s not much chance anyone will enjoy it, starting by you!

Be honest! A film is a story you share with people. Don’t ever forget it! Never forget your audience. Your pleasure is for the audience to be captivated by what they see. You don’t make a film just for yourself.