“People forget years and remember moments”

“People forget years and remember moments.”

These words of wisdom from author Ann Beattie are profound in their simplicity and nowhere more true than movies. Think about a favorite film of yours. What do you remember? Moments. A character. A situation. An event. You can see the pictures in your mind’s eye. You can dredge up the feelings you experienced when watching the movie.

One way of thinking of a movie is a series of moments strung together into a whole narrative. Moments we experience in the present, but remember afterward.

What is key to crafting memorable movie moments? That would make for a long list, but first and foremost the writer has to make the reader care about the characters. The emotions we feel for the characters are the first layer of connection to any given moment.

The concept of the scene, visual storytelling, talismans and symbolism, action, dialogue, surprise, revelations, and all the rest, but in my view we should always start with the characters. That’s the wellspring to create memorable moments.

So remember:

“People forget years and remember moments.”

I encourage you to head to comments to discuss today’s questions. And for a related discussion on The Black Board, check out these topics:

• Breathtaking moments
• Mogens Rukov on natural story moments
• Standout moments in film
• Surfacing moments
• Writing exercise: The most surprising thing
• Writing Excercise: Trailer Moments

The Quest” has entered Week 22! And so did Go On Your Own Quest, an opportunity for anyone to follow the structure of “The Quest” to dig into screenwriting theory [Core — 8 weeks], figure out your story [Prep — 6 weeks], and write a first draft [Pages — 10 weeks]. It’s a 24-week immersion in the screenwriting process and you can do it here — for free!

Today and every Monday through Friday for 10 weeks, I’ll use this slot to post something inspirational as GOYOQ participants pound out their first drafts.

Why not use the structure of this 24-week workshop to Go On Your Own Quest? That was an idea that gathered energy among many members of the GITS community which I described here.

For more information on Go On Your Own Quest, go here.

Plus you can join The Black Board, the Official Online Writing Community of the Black List and Go Into The Story, another free resource to help keep you inspired and on target at you Go On Your Own Quest from FADE IN to FADE OUT on the first draft of your original screenplay.

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