10 tips for screenwriting and directing by Robert Eggers; Manufacturer of "Northern Man" and "Lighthouse"

In the history of cinema, writers/directors like Robert Eggers have few examples. His films are an extraordinary combination of history, fear and surrealism. We are best known for such acclaimed films as "The Wizard" (2015) and "Lighthouse" (2019). "North" is also his latest film to be released this year. He seems to be constantly looking to develop himself and cinema and find new ways of storytelling.

In this article, he gives tips on filmmaking and screenwriting. Certainly the instructive tips of the director and screenwriter who have reached the pinnacle of filmmaking in Hollywood have a lot of remarkable points.

1. Take It for Yourself

directing and writing about something that is not your own is worthless. You will only be recognized and your efforts will be successful if you are truly yourself. Some people try to write according to the current day, or write about things that are popular now. But by doing so, you are selling yourself cheap. What you love and believe in is more valuable than anything else.

2. When writing, find a balanced balance between your contradictions. Your screenplay should have Dionysian and Apollonian aspects

(Apollonian art and Dionysian art was first discussed by Nietzsche in the nineteenth century in his discussion of the birth of tragedy. He used Apollo to draw and present Symbolic concepts such as harmony, balance, order, legalism, complete form, clarity, clarity, individuality and also from the myth of Dionysus to show the vital forces of excess, dynamism, vitality, change, creation and destruction, mobility, movement, rhythm, It uses intoxication and oneness.)

How can you create something that is both strong and structured and clear (Apollonian), and has mystery and space (Dionysian)? And can you balance them?

The question is, how can you balance the contrasting elements of your story and keep the audience in suspense? It is not an easy task. In my opinion, the main thing is not to get so involved with the protagonist's hero that you go in an unusual direction. Do not be so unusual that you become alienated from Hollywood.

3. To avoid getting caught up in the writing bar, research what you love and keep writing and researching

right, you can do some research. But I think there is an effective way to escape the perpetual fear of writers. Try to find details that can help you complete a scene or story point. Use them to expand your story and see if thinking about one point can open another point in front of your eyes?

4. Do not start writing with a message or intention in mind. Instead, stay loyal to the world you want to write about.

Find your content later. Then there is always the opportunity to think about what your story is about. For now, let the story take shape. Let all your emotions come into play. In subsequent rewrites, you can remove the margins and focus on what you really want.

5. To think that following the traditional structure correctly will make you a good storyteller is a ridiculous idea.

Breaking traditions is okay. Storytelling is not formula writing. The goal is to communicate with the audience. So always focus on how you want to interact with the audience and how you can attract them to your story. The structure continues to form, but is not always the most important part.

6. Wherever and whenever your story takes shape, look for dialogues, arguments, and other global elements that make your story familiar and tangible to the world today

It is well known that times and places He chooses a different one for his story. However, all of them can arouse our deep feelings in today's world. Keep in mind that you are doing your job through your films. Why do you have to say this now? Why should people pay attention to you?

7. Be very obsessed with your writing

This may be the hardest part. We love writing. Loves getting ideas and messing with them. But being obsessive requires a lot of patience.

Be patient with your idea. Do not finish it quickly. Love it. Choose your words carefully. In the correction phase, have one eye on deleting extras, and one eye on different scenes.

8. Historical accuracy does not matter in filmmaking. You can tell a great historical story without being precise

Accuracy is a subject that is taken too seriously. Just try to create an attractive product. You only have to be careful when you go to a biographical story, otherwise you can easily choose a time period and change it wherever you like. Do not worry if you entered the wrong tools or technologies at that time. It is important that your story is compelling and flawless.

9. To be able to make your first feature film, create a compelling short film with the same elements as the feature film you are looking for

Everyone loves short films that are made for proof. If you have the resources and time, you have won half the battle as soon as you show your vision. In addition, there is always a whole festival and competition where you can participate and get the financial resources or investors needed for your work.

10. When writing a screenplay, do not think about how you want to capture these scenes in front of the camera. Close your eyes to the facts of filming, think about them later

Never worry about the future. Writing means trying everything and finding the best way. There is no problem if you have to edit or change it later. For now, let your imagination run wild. Think about the possibility of things later. Do not get caught up in thinking about ways to do them right now. For now, think about telling a compelling story.

Source: No Film School