3 Mistakes Screenwriters Make In Act 2 That Ruin A Screenplay - Shannan E. Johnson

Shannan E. Johnson, a native of Houston, TX, is a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO of the first black-owned script consultancy in the entertainment industry, The Professional Pen. The Professional Pen is a writer-centered service provider helping emerging and established creatives develop their stories for the screen.

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#writing #writers #screenwriting

[chrisianlewis]

“Act two = Trial and error”. What a perfect way to put it. Fun and games means nothing. Trial and error is a perfect description. Thank you!

[kandoundou]

This couldn't come at a better time. I have been stuck in Act 2 for weeks but she just said something that helps. I love her ability to explain things without trying to sound like a guru or something. Always straight to the point.

[jlupus]

1. Act 2, steps to baking the story: seeing characters take physical steps to their goal (trial&error, fun&games)
2. Complications: hinder/redirect the characters off their course
3. Midpoint: rock bottom, false victory, or goal-redirection; allows for other character to remotivate them
4. Climax: Face-to-face with goal in order to win or lose

[hiplessboy]

She is so adaptive with story. Story is like, this elastic thing to her she can reshape at will. I love it.

[SentinelD]

I edit screenplays, and one common 2nd act mistake I see is forced conflict. The writers think that including any argument adds drama, but the argument is about nothing consequential. Characters just snap instead of being moved into a logical or even illogical reaction. It's like when kids play house, and they think all mom and dad do is fight and sleep.

I hope we see Shannan move on to act 3 because what I normally see there lately is failure to pull the trigger. It's my suspicion that perhaps writers fail to pull the trigger because they're trying to do the whole twist thing, but I get to the end and I feel like nothing has happened.

[blacksage]

This is gold! the first 5 minutes gave me the inspiration to rearrange my second act, improving the flow and escalation of tension. Even my big event is more impactful.

[runarvollan]

Act1: Thesis (applies trusted strenght)
Act2: Antithesis (tries the weakness/opposite of strenght)
Act3: Synthesis (wins with a mixture)

[Maazzzo]

Shannan is so eloquent and explains things so clearly. Really enjoy videos with Shannan.

[Sharath]

I just hope she will write all her wisdom in a book one day.. waiting for that 😊

[josie_posie]

Thank you. Her delivery is so engaging I hung on to every word. I'm writing a memoir and these features are some of the best storytelling talks around. The diversity of voices is pure decadence...plz keep expanding 🙏🏾

[veradragilyova]

Shannan has the clearest explanations ever! Thank youuuu! 👏😁👏

[anitawilliams]

Shannan is always on point, always giving sage and tactical advice!

[CuTyFlaM]

I'm in love with this channel. Found it a couple of days ago somehow and I've been going through all those amazing people that dive into the mechanics of making a story happen. The people you would want with you to guide you in the process and tell you about the industry and the art. Thank you immensely, Film Courage, that's some solid content that will live long and will help so much people, me included !

[thorolfodinson]

This video helped me to structure a pilot I am writing. As always you made good questions and the interviewed is great. Cheers from Brasil!

[toneoftones]

I love how YouTube suggested this video to me when I’m struggling with my 2nd act

[kmstunr]

It’s important to have creativity but it’s even more important to understand HOW to use said creativity and how it plays into the story, the plot, the characters and the themes. You can’t squish in all these random ideas because A): It will confuse your story, the audience and yourself and B): Those ideas can be used in the future for another story you have! Don’t just waste it all on one thing and be done.

[WakeAndBakeWithUncleRay]

It is so refreshing during 12 hr writing days, to take a break and reboot by listening to such beauty in one's mastery, for she's Does she do online classes?

[avtpro]

Awesome. She really catches the feel of the story with structure and how it plays out for the audience. Glad she said "Trial and Error" instead of fun and games.

[artistjim]

This is so helpful! I tend to overpower my character by act 2, then the character gets boring by the 3rd act! Thanks again for the video!

[Left-Earth]

She has a very refreshing point of view.
I would like to see a longer interview. 📺