Storytelling: A Twitter Thread by L. M. Bryski

STORYTELLING
A TWITTER THREAD
BY
L. M. BRYSKI

Moran Press author L. M. Bryski with an excellent writing thread to update us on everything going on in her writing world. She's busy working on a screenplay while Moran Press readies her next novel, Blood Chill. 

Yes, there will be BOOKS! 

STORYTELLING
a thread.

Haven’t been here much and would like to say I’ve been busy writing but that’s only partly the reason.

I’m working to turn one of my novels into a screenplay, but I’ve never written one before. It’s a different art form than novels. So I’ve been learning.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Now as writers often find, the day/eve/night job can take a huge chunk of time away from writing. Same with making it harder to enroll in courses that can help you learn how to write a screenplay.

I know somewhat how to tell a story in a novel, and have published as such, but..

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

A script for movie or play is a different animal. There is an art to verbal-visual storytelling that has a economic sparseness in the script.

This sparseness must be full enough to give an idea of the story without weighing it down with unnecessary words.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Script writing is similar to novels in that dialogue is involved in both. And clunky dialogue falls flat in a written novel, and even more so as words spoken on stage or film.

I needed to learn. So I found a couple of sketch and film festivals to attend to help me do it.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

First up was @SFSketchfest in January.

This festival had a wide variety of sketches, movies, acts, and plays.

It also had a great session on Storytelling taught by @TheKevinAllison of @RISKshow. pic.twitter.com/YG5nZeOaHM

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Kevin Allison is a shaman master of the art of verbal storytelling. If you get a chance, I highly recommend his class.

He breaks down the different elements of story telling and gives his students the opportunity to perform a 5 minutes story in front of the class.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Kevin Allison teaches about the synergy between character, emotion, and controlling idea of the story.

I attended the rest of the @SFSketchfest with these three points in mind.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

CHARACTER
Après Le Déluge@SFSketchfest

No character is stronger than @ScottThompson_ ‘s @mrbuddycole, easily recognizable by most everyone in his alphaness of daring speech and mannerisms. His wit and sense of humour flow with smooth dialogue. pic.twitter.com/meXuPiwqUq

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

EMOTION and VULNERABILITY@RISKshow@guybranum gave a monologue about an uncomfortable life event he experienced. The audience was drawn in by the painful moments he candidly related.

Guy connected through saying what we are afraid to say. His vulnerability was his strength.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

CONTROLLING IDEA
also @riskshow@TheKevinAllison related a story about a job he had where he didn’t feel he was fitting in.

The conflict and tension was kept up through the story as he related event after event on this theme, and the audience avidly followed along.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Life carried me back to Winnipeg, the true center of the universe, where I was lucky enough to meet up with @garritywinnipeg, a film writer, director, producer.

Over coffee, Sean Garrity imparted a few pearls of wisdom. One of which is not to be afraid of sparseness.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

As a starting point in any project, having it boiled down to the very ideas that you wish to convey gives clarity...

I’m gonna call it Garrity Clarity...@garritywinnipeg also pointed me in the direction of a book of reference, Story by Robert McKee. pic.twitter.com/LHOX3mOS1g

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

@garritywinnipeg also talked in praise of voiceovers, how they can add an extra dimension of character motives and thoughts to the visual of film. I’ve always been struck by short film, Blind, as a strong example of this.https://t.co/GRBnqoJnKy pic.twitter.com/EQqNQUL0BA

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

So... having seen stage productions of monologues and speeches, and having talked to someone from behind the scenes of films, it was time to learn from a new set of masters.

More Indie film makers at @Cinequest San Jose Film Festival.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

PASSION for subject

Flin Flon: A Hockey Town
Documentary@dustin_cohen

Dustin wanted to tell the story of grass roots hockey and chose a little town in Canada because their passion for the sport and their team mirrored the passion Dustin felt for the subject. A solid hit. pic.twitter.com/QRcP7QKNQH

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

NUANCES hold audience interesthttps://t.co/asKgH3uW7C@Vladimir_Cubrt @nicolemaroon

Vladimir Cubrt’s Luba is clever (and heart-tugging) as it allows the story to unfold layer by layer. The audience is avidly immersed in figuring out character relationships and struggles. pic.twitter.com/FuN0XbLE5G

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

PUSH LIMITS

The Go-Getters@MrAaronAbrams @GallBrendan @LaLondeJeremy @GoGettersFilm

This film pulls no punches. Its characters are fuck ups desperately looking for any way out of town. Their choices are nasty nasty rude. And you root for them for the whole film. pic.twitter.com/8Az6IClasN

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Stories in novels, movies, and plays are where limits are meant to be pushed. It’s mostly relatively safe place for people to explore the “WHAT IF” aspect of life without suffering terrible consequences.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

COLLABORATION between characters, and between audience and story#Venusfeaturefilm@eishamarjara

Eisha Marjara’s movie about a boy searching out his parent is a tight, engaging story. Even in the story, though, there are moments of adlib (hidden to the audience) that sparkle. pic.twitter.com/jQzn7Zpw8g

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

When writing a script, keep in mind that yours is one interpretation, and when you share it with actors, directors, other filmmakers, and audience interpretation, that it will morph into a more complex creature.

Be open to that collaboration. It is how stories are truly made.

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

Thanks for reading. This Storytelling thread is done for now. Feel free to add your own thoughts. I am still and always will be learning.

FADE OUT

— L. M. Bryski (@LMBryski) March 7, 2018

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