I try to create characters people want to sit with, even if nothing is happening.
Jason ReynoldsRead
The main thing that I learned from editing is that most people, when they're making a film, they start too early into the story. They will try to set up the characters, they will try to establish things before the plot actually starts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective storytelling requires engaging the audience before delving into the details.
This quote by Steven Zaillian emphasizes the importance of pacing in storytelling, particularly in film. It suggests that many filmmakers make the mistake of introducing characters and backstory too early in the narrative, which can detract from the overall impact of the plot. Instead, Zaillian highlights the idea that a strong narrative should capture the audience's attention before unveiling the intricacies of characters and their backgrounds.
Themes
StorytellingEditingFilmNarrativePacing
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a film workshop to emphasize good storytelling techniques.
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