Hi S32,
A question:
I'm writing a biographical script based on true events and as much as I'd like to follow the 15 beats order, it just doesn't work. The thing is, it seems I just have to make up things to match it with the 15 beats structure!
But, to what extent I can manipulate the biography of a famous figure and true events? Is it a good way to go at all? Or it's better if I stick to the bio without adding up anything? (or maybe just a bit adding up?)
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Hey Shahin! What a coincidence! We just spoke about this in the Writers' Room last week! We addressed all of this during our Breakdown Webcast. One of the conclusions we reached was that you are not creating a documentary - you are crafting a narrative and a character based on true events or people. So there will be the need to compress timelines, invent conversations, develop B-stories, develop character arcs, etc in order to craft a compelling story. And look for your "in and out" points of the narrative.
Definitely check out the Breakdown Webcast: Writing True Stories when you are in the Writers' Room (along with 80+ hours of additional content!)
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Hi Shahin,
I've written a feature also based on true events - Jason Mirch comments about a feature not being a documentary and compressing the timeline are nail on the head.
You need to find the moment(s) in your protagonist life that are the most interesting, offer the most conflict and work from there. The plot is the want/goal/external conflict, the character arc is the need/internal goal.
Kind regards,
Eoin
Jason and Eoin, thanks guys