Happy Easter, everyone! John here, finally relaxing after a busy but beautiful Holy Week. I’m so grateful to be associated with such fine musicians, a supportive pastor, and a reverent congregation. Today, though, I’d like to switch gears to filmmaking for a bit and share a wonderful recent discovery with you.
There are hundreds of books, blogs, and websites that provide tremendous insight into the screenwriting process. With all of the information and discussions they engage, it’s easy to understand why writing for film is such a difficult craft to master–and personally, I know I’ve barely scratched the surface. But for all the seemingly limitless resources out there, I found myself in need of a clinical, objective, classroom approach to story. Not screenwriting, not movie-making…story. Inevitably, I asked the age-old question: “What makes a story good?” I’ve read dozens of books about three-act structure, about plot pyramids, about creating the perfect hero and villain, but it wasn’t until I read The Anatomy of Story by John Truby that I found an answer that resonated with me.
In his book, Truby masterfully describes–in detail–how to create an organic story that blossoms into itself, all stemming from its most basic foundation: the premise. Theme, characters, symbols, setting, plot, dialogue…all of these elements work together in a living, breathing body that has grown naturally out of this foundation. It is not an abstract, theoretical approach that Truby offers; but rather a precise, meticulous process that ensures all elements are subservient to the core of your story. I won’t presume to summarize Mr. Truby’s work, but I will emphatically recommend that you purchase this book. Since reading it, I’ve been so anxious finish the script for the next film by White Ball Productions: The Guest.
If you’re passionate about learning the craft of storytelling (as I have been), I hope you’ll find this to be a powerful resource along the way. Mr. Truby also has an incredible wealth of blogs, videos, interviews, and story breakdowns on his site at truby.com. Thanks for visiting, and thank you to Mr. Truby for your most helpful insight! Can’t wait to finish my next story!
There are hundreds of books, blogs, and websites that provide tremendous insight into the screenwriting process. With all of the information and discussions they engage, it’s easy to understand why writing for film is such a difficult craft to master–and personally, I know I’ve barely scratched the surface. But for all the seemingly limitless resources out there, I found myself in need of a clinical, objective, classroom approach to story. Not screenwriting, not movie-making…story. Inevitably, I asked the age-old question: “What makes a story good?” I’ve read dozens of books about three-act structure, about plot pyramids, about creating the perfect hero and villain, but it wasn’t until I read The Anatomy of Story by John Truby that I found an answer that resonated with me.
In his book, Truby masterfully describes–in detail–how to create an organic story that blossoms into itself, all stemming from its most basic foundation: the premise. Theme, characters, symbols, setting, plot, dialogue…all of these elements work together in a living, breathing body that has grown naturally out of this foundation. It is not an abstract, theoretical approach that Truby offers; but rather a precise, meticulous process that ensures all elements are subservient to the core of your story. I won’t presume to summarize Mr. Truby’s work, but I will emphatically recommend that you purchase this book. Since reading it, I’ve been so anxious finish the script for the next film by White Ball Productions: The Guest.
If you’re passionate about learning the craft of storytelling (as I have been), I hope you’ll find this to be a powerful resource along the way. Mr. Truby also has an incredible wealth of blogs, videos, interviews, and story breakdowns on his site at truby.com. Thanks for visiting, and thank you to Mr. Truby for your most helpful insight! Can’t wait to finish my next story!
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