Movies as a Source of Inspiration

Films play an integral role of inspiration in the life of the creative writer. Whether or not you are, as a creative writer, also interested in writing screenplays, every novel writer has much to learn from watching and playing close attention to films.

The Story of a Film

What makes a good novel if it does not have a good story? Similarly, good movies tell good stories. It is true that everyone loves to watch a "good" movie every once in a while, solely for its pure entertainment value. Action films are created for those who like to watch stuff get blown up. Another movie may be loved simply because of the setting in which it was filmed. These aspects of films certainly have their entertainment value and their appeal, that is, the emotional response to one's perception of the film's aesthetics. However, the creative writer can still enjoy the escapism of a good movie while making a conscious effort to pay attention to how the story of the film -- how it unfolds; whether it's told as a flashback or a memoir; its narration; its dialogue. As a creative writer, it's important to pay close attention to the ways in which the screenplay writer and director convey the story to the viewer because these techniques can be inspiration for your own creative work, and can give you tools to put in your back pocket until you require them the next time you sit down to work.

The Character Development in a Film

It usually takes the average person longer to read a novel than it does to watch a film, so the character development in the film won't look exactly like it will in your novel. However it is good to pay close attention to how the personalities, idiosyncrasies, and back story of the characters are revealed to the viewer. Are the characters complex, or simpletons? How much back story is given? What quirks do the characters have, and how are they conveyed to the viewer? Most characters in both films and novels undergo some type of transformation, and even if not, that usually is intentional to communicate something (e.g. the theme of nihilism) to the viewer/reader. What problems are the characters in the film overcoming? What problems are the characters in your novel going to deal with? This is not to say we should watch films only to re-package them in our novels, but simply that we should watch films for inspiration on how to tell good stories. Paying close attention to the characters in films will help you develop your sense of how to envision what the characters in your novel will look like -- their expressions, mannerisms, gaits, and quirks.

Watch Screenplay Writers' Interviews

There are a host of video interviews on YouTube depicting well-known screenplay writers. These are helpful to watch because they often discuss how the screenplay writer got his or her idea for the film, how the creative process unfolded, how the writer overcame writers' block, and other issues that plague all writers, no matter the genre. Look up your favorite screenplay writer. You may be surprised and what you find and how it will help you as a novel writer. As an example, check out the interview with Charlie Kaufman (one of my favorite screenplay writers) below.

If You're a Screenplay Writer

Of course, if you are a screenplay writer, it goes without saying that you should be voraciously consuming films and paying attention to its elements -- story and character development to name a few. You are likely already doing these things, for the same reason that novel writers are prolific readers and are paying attention to books. Here's a thought for all of you screenplay writers: how about reading more books and paying attention to how the author tells the story? After all, story tellers of all genres have something to learn from each other.