The video discusses the process of writing a short film, focusing on creating a strong dramatic narrative. The speaker debunks common myths about short films, such as the belief that they can't be deeply meaningful or dramatic, or that they don't have enough time to set up the story. The speaker also refutes the idea that stunning cinematography and cool concepts can create a good short film without a strong story.
The speaker uses the short film "Stutterer" as an example to illustrate the process of writing a short film. The film revolves around a man named Greenwood who stutters. Greenwood wants a deep intimate relationship, but he believes his stutter will stop him from connecting deeply with others. The speaker discusses how to build the main character and the philosophical conflict, and how to structure the story using Dan Harmon's story circle.
The speaker also analyzes how the writer and director of "Stutterer" bring together the elements of the story. The film starts with Greenwood struggling to speak on the phone, which sets up his major external problem - his stutter. The film then introduces Ellie, Greenwood's love interest, and shows their online relationship. The unfamiliar situation arises when Ellie asks to meet in person, which challenges Greenwood's beliefs about his stutter.
The speaker also discusses the importance of the climax of the story, where Ellie is revealed to be deaf. This reveal has a major impact on the philosophical conflict in the story, as Greenwood's external problem isn't a problem at all, and he is able to be honest with her about his stutter.
The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the fundamental elements of a story to write a strong narrative drama in a short film.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The video aims to provide a clear understanding of how to write a strong dramatic narrative in a short film.
2. The speaker debunks three myths about writing short films: that they are too short to be meaningful, that there isn't enough time to set up the story, and that stunning cinematography and cool concepts can make up for a weak story.
3. The speaker uses the short film "Stutterer" as an example to illustrate how to build a strong dramatic narrative.
4. The film's writer and director, Benjamin Cleary, is credited as the creator of the film.
5. The speaker analyzes the film's structure using Dan Harmon's story circle, which breaks down into four quarters and four points.
6. The story circle focuses on the fundamental elements of the story, rather than being constricted by a certain length of time.
7. The speaker identifies the core elements of a dramatic story: a character struggling with their own beliefs as they come into conflict with the world.
8. The film's main character, Greenwood, is a man who stutters and wants to be in a deep, intimate relationship.
9. The speaker explains that the story's philosophical conflict is centered around Greenwood's beliefs about his stutter and how it holds him back in life.
10. The film's other characters, including Ellie and Greenwood's father, are introduced and their roles in the story are explained.
11. The speaker analyzes how the film's writer and director bring the story's elements together, including the use of snap judgments and character moments.
12. The film's climax is revealed, in which Ellie is deaf and Greenwood is able to be honest with her about his stutter.
13. The speaker concludes that the film is a fantastic short film with strong philosophical conflict, good structure, and an ending that works perfectly.