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Make Science Fiction Movies, Screenplays and Stories SuccessfulArticle by Tom Marcoux, Motion Picture Director, Producer and ScreenwriterInstructor, Academy of Art College, San Francisco Creator of the trilogy of science fiction movies TIMEPULSE   The TimeSaber(tm) (timeship) as rendered by Benjamin Litteer. The TimeSaber(tm) is from the TIMEPULSE trilogy.
(highlights from the book Science Fiction and Fantasy Success Secrets: Make Your Science Fiction/Fantasy Screenplays, Stories, Movies Compelling) As the Science Fiction and Fantasy instructor at Academy of Art College, San Francisco, I guide my students to improve their screenplays, stories, 3-D Animation, and demonstration tapes. I wrote the Academy's on-line course, and I teach the course -- plus an undergraduate course and a graduate course. Authors and filmmakers are wary of letting structure descend to the level of formula. Here is an example of a generic formula for a science fiction story:
The Cure for the "Common Formula" To "cure" formulaic structures of a fictional work, the author/filmmaker needs to create a story that includes specific details, and encompasses a theme with emotional and philosophical impact. One way I describe this is: Go through the tunnel of specific to the universal. STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KAHN director Nicholas Meyer warns that avoiding the specific in favor of the universal is to end up with "cafeteria food." A formulaic work stereotypes characters - that is, they become a "type" of character. To avoid this, add layers to your characters, which include focusing on their virtues, flaws, fears, and quirks, and ways in which they need to grow. An example of a film that uses universal before specific is FINAL FANTASY, which is criticized for its generic character representation. The script includes an African-American, muscle-bound soldier who is wounded and left behind to shoot monsters and facilitate the heroes' get-away. Nothing in the script indicates that the soldier is an individual, only a mere "type." By comparison, Indiana Jones appeals to audiences, in part for his phobia of snakes, which is a specific affliction. Recurring Themes in Science Fiction: Another way to cure the Common Formula is to focus on "something to say." Effective screenwriters and authors create a satisfying story by emphasizing a theme. The theme is the source of meaning that comes from a story. Here are recurring themes in science fiction:
Here are principles that my students and clients use to improve their work.
To create material that is more original and compelling, combine your premise with a personal connection and your answer to "DSL" (die for, stand for, and live for). One of my students said, "I used to feel I would die for love. Now, I will only stand for it." I responded, "There is a story in that." B. "Character as acquaintance" (The audience thinks of a character as an acquaintance, which means the author/filmmaker must compensate for the audience's first impressions.) During years of writing and directing films, I came to realize that filmmakers/storytellers must take great care in introducing characters. I use the phrase "character as acquaintance," which emphasizes the fact that people are more judgmental of fictional characters than they are of their friends. In contrast to a character in a movie, spending time with our real friends allows us to see the different sides of them. The problem for scriptwriters is they devote so much time to their work that their fictitious characters become real to them, almost like actual friends. They develop a lifelike bond with their characters. Effective writers introduce their characters in a way that leaves the audience feeling that they have made new acquaintances. THE LAST ACTION HERO is an example of a film that didn't make good use of the "character as acquaintance" rule. The storyline includes an error that causes the audience to lose sympathy for the main character. The hero (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is portrayed like a cartoon character who cannot be hurt, which causes the audience to judge him as unsympathetic and unreal. In the film, the Schwarzenegger character drives a car off a five-story high cliff, a fall that would kill a real human. However, the film's hero is not hurt and barely even notices the fall. The audience sees this character as someone they cannot relate to. At the end of movie, when the hero gets shot and is bleeding, many audience members said that they did not even care. The effective media professional makes certain that the audience has an immediate emotional connection to a character. For example, when discussing the casting of Leonardo DiCaprio for TITANIC, director James Cameron said, "I always go with my first impression; the audience does." C. Use "bookends" to structure a story in an audience-pleasing way A "bookend" is the process of using an element that's repeated in a similar way at the end of the story. For example, Stephen fails at his tryout for a basketball team. Throughout the story, he practices everyday on his own. At the end of the story, Stephen returns to the same gym, tries out again, and wins a place on the school team. Furthermore, effective writers place an additional, special twist to the bookend at the end of the story. D. Use an "echo" to tie into the audience's delight at seeing something reoccur In the feature film SUPERMAN II, Superman gives up his super powers in order to devote himself to a romantic relationship with Lois Lane. Lois says, "I don't know what to say." Superman says, "Just tell me you love me." At the end of the movie, Superman regains his super powers and returns to his life of public service. It appears that Superman and Lois' romantic relationship must end. Now, it is Superman who says to Lois, "I don't know what to say," as tears fill Lois' eyes. And this time, Lois says, "Just tell me you love me." CONCLUSION: Successful professionals in the film/fiction industries need a platform on which to build and grow as an artist. Use the tools and principles you learned in this article to help attain your goals. Create a tip sheet that you can tape to your computer monitor or somewhere else that is easily accessible. Refer to the tools and principles on a regular basis. They will become the platform from which you can build and grow your career. This article has been a brief overview. Print it out. Additionally, I devote much of each day to find new ways to serve people; therefore, I invite you to look at the resource listed below. The best to you, Tom Tom Marcoux, America's Communication Coach Motion Picture Director 
Science Fiction and Fantasy Success Secrets: Make Your Science Fiction/Fantasy Screenplays, Stories, Movies Saleable and Compelling
SPECIAL WEB DISCOUNT $15.00 (regular price $24.99). Don't Miss This!/Buy Now Copyright 2002 Tom Marcoux Family Ltd. Partnership A Speaker for Your Company, Association or Conference: Tom Marcoux, America's Communication Coach is the author of Communicate to Win: Influence Your Way to Success and Happiness; Free Yourself for Success; How to Heal When Life's Too Much. Tom is a nationally known, award-winning speaker-author (Speaker of the Year, Success Builders International and BusinessAcademy.com). Tom is a sales coach and personal/professional coach. He is a faculty lecturer at Academy of Art College, San Francisco (whose graduates often work for George Lucas' companies). Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association. He speaks for the National Association of Broadcasters Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada (click here for his NAB presentation). He is a guest lecturer in venues California State University - Los Angeles, Stanford University, and De Anza College. His book "Communicate to Win" is a required textbook at Cogswell Polytechnical College, Silicon Valley and in the Cogswell Time Capsule. His private workshops and public seminars have benefited professionals from IBM, The Gap, Charles Schwab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lucent Technologies, Circuit City, The Olive Garden, and many other firms. He authored 10 books which are available on-line at http://www.businessacademy.com Tom is a faculty lecturer on technical communication and digital filmmaking at Cogswell Polytechnical College. Tom is a TV/Radio guest and he has been written about in San Francisco Examiner and the magazines: Streaming, Radio World, National Association of Broadcasters Daily, Millimeter, and Sharing Ideas - The Premiere Speaking Industry Magazine. Tom is featured in the documentary "Perfect Ending." View 34 pages of Quotes from People Helped by Tom's speeches, coaching, and products in the Guestbook For your media project: engage Tom Marcoux, Media Specialist/Motion Picture Director-Producer-Writer-Actor: Tom directed a previous motion picture that went to the Cannes Film Festival. He is currently directing "LIVING, the Motion Picture" -- which includes the beautiful Crystal Pegasus. He is the president of TomMarcoux.com, Inc. and Marcoux Media, and his team is preparing the science fiction trilogy of motion pictures entitled "TIMEPULSE."(www.TimePulse.com) Tom is the author of the novel TIMEPULSE. Tom won a special award at the EMMY AWARDS after earning a degree in psychology and television production. Tom is the author of 101 Acting Secrets: A Director's Tips for Your Acting, Auditions, Movie Roles, and Self-Promotion. He conducts acting workshops and workshops on "Self-Promotion for Actors" Quotes from People Helped by Tom's speeches, coaching, and products in the Guestbook 
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