Mamet AND Sorkin Agree 100% with This Screenwriting Concept

In watching David Mamet's Masterclass twice, as well as Aaron Sorkin's Masterclass twice I found it interesting that they both used the exact same illustration to explain plotting a story. Since both Sorkin's script for "The Social Network” and Mamet's script for the"The Verdict" are high on my list of favorite films, I thought it was worthy of a short 5 minute video pointing out something they agreed with 100%.

[alexanderclaylavin]

I like Heist and Spartan by Mamet; they’re unique and underrated yarns. They complicate the A > B structure with twists and betrayals, but essentially are goal focused and driven by action, not dialogue, although the dialogue is what most distinguishes them.

[WolverinesProductions]

Sorkin masterclass was amazing - I really need to watch Mamet's...Thanks for the suggestion!

I feel like the two biggest ways in which I've grown as a screenwriter are looking for how to create intriguing conflict and asking before every single scene "what is each character's goal in this scene?"

[GoodWoman]

Why do I think this was no accident? Oh they had fun! Thanks for sharing and teaching. More please. You are an excellent teacher( plenty of gibberish in this niche, nice to find coherent competence)

[shawnladd]

I see the Emmy back there and say yes I can spare five minutes

[silas]

It's interesting to consider how the component of Urgency is employed or not, depending on the story and why. Excellent video.

[blondegirlsezthis]

Nice stuff, btw. Be fun to do takes on what films would have been like if another screenwriter did them, like if Charlie Kaufman did Forrest Gump or Fincher did A League of Their Own or something.

[andyserkiz]

I developed a different system. The main parts are:
1) the hero's underlying desire and 2) their challenge ( that helps to fulfill the underlying desire). The practical goal you have mentioned only serves as something that is contained within the challenge.

[bhotaling]

Sorkin learned his technique from Mamet/ Atlantic Thtr.

[shelemm]

However, I am not sure it's true of my favorite films such as "Mon Oncle d'Amerique" or "Watch on the Rhine" or "You Can't Take it With You", "Crimes and Misdemeanors", "Passing Strange", etc. Is it true of Rohmer, Truffaut, etc?

[adezzyade]

One of my favorite A to B movies is Children of Men

[ScatterbrainFilms-ko]

Aaron Sorkin is a great writer for thinking people are WAY smarter than they are in real life

[blondegirlsezthis]

If Sorkin wrote Glengarry he would have said "Put that Cocaine down. Cocaine is for closers." and then made it into a wacky dialogue.
Sorkin could spin witty dialogue out of anything.
Mamet could create overdramatic darkness out of anything.

[Amazon.Prince]

Terminal has A to B.
Lord of the Rings has A to B.
Showgirls has A to B.

Literally and socially.

For a TV series, make it a metaphoric A to B.

In Breaking Bad, Sopranos, and Penguin it is a social climb/descent.

In Smallville, Heroes, and Daredevil s1 it's going from zero to hero.

[shelemm]

It's called "writing for the ending." Yes indeed very old stuff.

[blackie]

...Midnight Run, staring Robert De Niro... and....

[RiloProducciones]

What an annoying bell sound, it destroyed my ears.pleqse check the levels of your sound before posting on the internet. Co stan - 5 decibels.

[AlexeyShort]

Так что же тут нового кроме того, что розу в этом видео называют капустой?

[Novastar.SaberCombat]

It doesn't matter what you write. As long as you have coin, connections, crews, clout, computer code, control, corporate communities, and opulent opportunities, you can do whatever you wish. 💪😎✌️ But if you lack those things... ummm... yeeeah, yer not gonna do sheet, suckah! 😂🤣😂 #copium