Screenwriting : What is a good Plot in the Movie Industry these days? by Levada McHenry

There's no formula. Just write the the kind of story you want to see in the movies.

Put it all in. Every bit of dirt, profanity and violence that is inside you, pour it onto the page. Then you will have a FIRST draft.

As long as your elements move your plot along and are conducive to your story, not gratuitous, then go for it!

You can't lose by having a character with a goal to reach with a bunch of obstacles in the way that must be overcome in order to reach that goal. Within this there is a lot of flexibility as far as story telling goes. The goal doesn't have to be a physical one it can be a psychological or emotional one too. This type of story arc draws the audience in and allows them to become emotionally involved with the character, They can either root for the character to achieve the goal(s) or they can feel dread and hope the character fails at his or her mission if the character is a villain of some kind. If you combine this with a character also physically moving toward the goal that also adds interest whether they are just traveling across town, up a lonely highway or across the world.

Put all of it in and when you think there's enough, put more :)

I AGREE 1000% with Gina!

Thanks fellow writers, love all the inputs....sincerely

Hey Levada, write what you want to be writing and not what others want. If you write it based on what will sell, chances are it won't. People want to read what's in your heart.

On the other side of the spectrum take a look at 'Napoleon Dynamite' and it had none of the above that you mention. (Well, there was some slight violence here and there but none of the graphic stuff you see in many new films and the 'foul' language was pretty much limited to 'flippin' or 'dang'). :^) Their budget was under half a million and it grossed $44 million.

"Foul" language is not what attracts one to the theatre. It is a fad and overused lately in films that is spreading like wildfire. Think in terms of Gone with the Wind! many more oldies...they were and still are winners and no foul language there.

I agree 100% Dr. Huizing. I believe we once counted over 120 'F-Bombs' in 'Scarface.'

If you keep true to the story, put whatever you need to in.

I would go even beyond Leon and say TOTALLY organic to the story. I despise watching violence, for example, but because the characters and storylines in BREAKING BAD were utterly compelling, I hung on every moment of the way. It should never, ever feel tacked on.