A bank heist

Running out of things to watch, I chose a film called, The Bank Job. If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. Despite a fairly good cast and quite well directed, it was an example of a generic bank heist, and it made me think of so many ‘what ifs’ that could have made it more interesting. Certainly the obvious, like better dialogue, but beyond that it could have had a more interesting structure.

Prompted by the tragic collapse a few weeks ago of the Champlain Tower in Miami, I found myself thinking a lot about structure. Perhaps a cynical association, but how much more vivid a reminder that the faulty execution of structure can sacrifice what might have been a good screenplay. Half of it terrific the other half…

The Bank Job, was not written by a novice, however, most beginning writers do tend to tell the story in chronological order, as this was. It is safe. The writer doesn’t get lost. And everything makes sense. To you! The writer! But is it interesting for an audience?

In the consulting I do, I encourage writers to think beyond the obvious progression. Once you have a basic structure, one that is a chronological step by step, this happens - then that happens order, why not take the leap and turn things upside down and inside out? You may find the end should actually be the beginning, or other variables, that make your story - in the telling - much more interesting for an audience. Key word, “telling” not “writing.” Never forget that you are TELLING a story.

With that thought, I leave you for a couple of months… to write, to enjoy the journey, and to take risks with the craft.

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Enjoy your summer…and see you next time.