How Not To Steal Star Wars — Rebel Moon

Summary

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Takeaways

• 😀 Zack Snyder's filmmaking style focuses on delivering individual moments, often at the expense of narrative and character development.
• 😀 His films, like *Rebel Moon* and *Batman v Superman*, are criticized for lacking smooth progression and thematic cohesion.
• 😀 Snyder's films often feel derivative due to the heavy borrowing from other works without deep exploration of those influences.
• 😀 The speaker suggests Snyder's style is akin to writing a collection of cool ideas, rather than focusing on a cohesive story arc.
• 😀 The key critique is that Snyder’s films prioritize visually striking moments over developing characters and their motivations.
• 😀 The lack of a central theme or binding narrative in Snyder’s stories can make his films feel like a sequence of disconnected ideas.
• 😀 Great storytellers are able to cut unnecessary elements, but Snyder’s approach seems to retain everything, resulting in a cluttered narrative.
• 😀 Drawing inspiration from a wide variety of films, rather than borrowing too heavily from just a few, is vital for a richer story.
• 😀 The speaker recommends *Adaptation* as an example of a film that explores the struggles of the writing process and narrative creation.
• 😀 The speaker highlights MUBI as a service that curates lesser-known but excellent films, offering unique inspiration for storytellers.

Q & A

What is Zack Snyder's biggest flaw as a filmmaker according to the script?

Zack Snyder's biggest flaw as a filmmaker is his tendency to focus on delivering moments rather than developing themes or character arcs. This leads to a lack of narrative cohesion and thematic depth in his films.

How does Snyder's approach affect the narrative flow of his films?

Snyder's focus on creating visually striking moments causes the narrative to lack a smooth progression. His films often jump from one cool element to the next without giving each piece the time it needs to develop or contribute to the larger story.

What does the term 'Kill Your Darlings' mean in the context of writing?

'Kill Your Darlings' refers to the painful process of removing parts of a story, such as characters or scenes, that the writer is personally attached to but ultimately don't serve the overall narrative. This is seen as essential for crafting a tight, cohesive story.

Why does the script argue that Snyder’s style leads to derivative films?

Snyder's reliance on copying elements from other works without adding enough originality results in derivative films. The quick shifts between different borrowed ideas prevent the development of a unique or fresh narrative.

What is the main issue with the lack of theme in Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'?

The lack of a central theme in 'Rebel Moon' leads to a fragmented story. Without a unifying concept or vision, the film is able to include a variety of cool ideas, but these elements do not come together to form a compelling or cohesive narrative.

How does the speaker compare Snyder's approach to that of other filmmakers like George Lucas and Quentin Tarantino?

The speaker contrasts Snyder's focus on isolated moments with filmmakers like George Lucas and Quentin Tarantino, who incorporate a wide range of influences into their stories. These directors are able to breathe new life into their sources by drawing from numerous works, leading to more original and engaging narratives.

What role does 'Adaptation' play in the speaker's argument?

'Adaptation' is cited as an example of a film that creatively explores the writing process. The speaker uses it to highlight how a complex narrative can be effectively developed, contrasting it with Snyder's approach of fragmenting the story into individual moments.

Why does the speaker recommend MUBI for discovering great cinema?

MUBI is recommended because it curates a selection of underappreciated films, providing an opportunity for viewers to discover lesser-known works that can offer new insights and inspiration for storytelling.

How does the script suggest writers should approach drawing inspiration for their stories?

The script suggests that writers should watch a wide range of films to gather diverse ideas and plot beats. This approach allows writers to incorporate multiple influences into their stories, creating richer, more original narratives.

What does the speaker believe about the importance of writing with a clear theme and narrative structure?

The speaker emphasizes that great stories require a clear theme and narrative structure. Without these, the film risks becoming a collection of disconnected moments, as seen in Snyder’s work, rather than a cohesive and meaningful story.