Film Courage: I believe you like to boil down story structure into four parts: trigger, dilemma, choice and pursuit?
Jen Grisanti, Speaker/Story/Career Consultant, Author: I’ve had so many different components of looking at stories. It’s all about different angles, so yes that is one formula that I’ve used. I’ve also used another four points, the idea of:
-Biggest fear,
-Dream,
-Trigger event,
-Dilemma.
Looking at how those things affect story.
Film Courage: We always hear about three-act structure, why do you break story into four parts?
Jen: I am always seeking story tools so I analyze story and the brilliance of what is being done right now in film and in streaming. I am always looking for tools and how do I break it down in a way that the writer understands. Obviously when you look at the 3-act structure you’re also looking at act two is in two parts, so you’re essentially looking at four parts of the story. I think that you never know what comes through where you hit these aha moments when you’re watching story and you’re…(Watch the video interview on Youtube here).
BIO:
International speaker Jen Grisanti is an acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Inc., a 13-year Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, and a former 12-year studio executive, including VP of Current Programming at CBS/Paramount. Jen is the author of three books, Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story, TV Writing Tool Kit: How To Write a Script That Sells, Change Your Story, Change Your Life: A Path To Your Success.
Grisanti started her career in 1992 as an assistant to Aaron Spelling. He served as her mentor for 12 years. She quickly climbed the ranks and eventually ran Current Programs at Spelling Television Inc., covering all Spelling’s shows, including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, and Charmed. In 2004, Grisanti was promoted to Vice President of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount, where she covered numerous shows, including Medium, Numbers, NCIS, 4400, and Girlfriends.
In January 2008, Grisanti launched Jen Grisanti Inc., a highly successful consulting firm dedicated to helping talented writers break into the industry. Drawing on her experience as a studio executive, where she gave daily notes to executive producers/showrunners, Grisanti guides writers to shape their material, write from their emotional truth, hone their pitches, and focus their careers. Since launching the consulting firm, Grisanti has worked with over 1000 writers specializing in television and features. Due to her expertise and mentorship, one hundred and six pilots have sold, including ten that went to series, and one hundred fifty-two writers have staffed.
MORE VIDEOS WITH JEN GRISANTI
CONNECT WITH JEN GRISANTI
MORE MICHAEL WIESE PRODUCTIONS AUTHORS
Advertisement – contains affiliate links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
More affiliates:
More affiliates:
Camera we use for interviews – https://buff.ly/3rWqrra
Sound we use for interviews – https://amzn.to/2tbFlM9
Other books on Amazon that Film Courage recommends – https://buff.ly/3o0oE5o
