Why does it take so long to tell a meaningful story? Most movies require at least two hours. Novels sometimes need hundreds of pages. Is there a reason why successful authors can’t cut to the chase and simply tell an audience what their story is really about?
Entries from April 2008
The Distance Needed to Write a Meaningful Story
April 30th, 2008 · 2 Comments
Filed under: Story Structure
I Am Legend: Deeper Analysis
April 24th, 2008 · 4 Comments
In my previous analysis of the film I Am Legend, I examined the meaningful differences between the theatrical and the alternate version released on DVD. In this “deeper” look into the film, I’ll go into more detail why I made the choices I made using the Dramatica theory of story as my key reference point.
Filed under: Analysis
I Am Legend: Analysis
April 8th, 2008 · 10 Comments
The Will Smith blockbuster I Am Legend was an undeniable box office success. Having set the record for the highest grossing December opening ever ($77.2 mil.), it is safe to say that audiences everywhere loved the film. Yet there were many who were left feeling cold and empty with the rather incongruous ending. Why was there this sudden tangible shift in the narrative during the last 10 minutes? It wasn’t until the recent release of an alternate version of the film on DVD that those who were left bewildered in the theaters finally found the ending they had hoped for.
So why was one version so much more emotionally fulfilling than the other?
Filed under: Analysis
