Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

Go Home

A 25-second masterclass on storytelling:

447,277 views • 3 years ago •via X (Twitter)

10 Comments

Billy Oppenheimer's profile picture
Billy Oppenheimer3 years ago

TL;DW Aaron Sorkin on the point of friction that drives all great stories:

Billy Oppenheimer's profile picture
Billy Oppenheimer3 years ago

The Odyssey, Star Wars, Huckleberry Finn, The Wizard of Oz, Toy Story, The Martian, The Hunger Games—all driven by "intention and obstacle." A character wants something, something prevents them from getting it. This tension, this point of friction, drives all great stories.

Billy Oppenheimer's profile picture
Billy Oppenheimer3 years ago

When @RyanHoliday was working on one of his children’s books, he got this advice from the great children's book author @rubingo: Constantly ask yourself, what does the character want? And what is keeping them from getting it? “That tension,” Adam said, “drives the story.”

Billy Oppenheimer's profile picture
Billy Oppenheimer3 years ago

"I worship at the altar of intention and obstacle...That is the drive shaft of drama. That point of friction: somebody wants something, something is standing in their way of getting it." — Aaron Sorkin Follow @bpoppenheimer for more content like this.

Billy Oppenheimer's profile picture
Billy Oppenheimer3 years ago

The Aaron Sorkin clip is from this interview:

Scott Baker's profile picture
Scott Baker3 years ago

Helpful metaphor from @thereadystate. When squatting or doing pushups we create torque by screwing hands or feet "into" the floor. Kelly illustrates by twisting a towel. In your story, talk, dialogue -- did you twist the towel?

Michael Sanderson's profile picture
Michael Sanderson3 years ago

@dailystoic I'm down for the HBO special event in 4 sixty minute parts on the opening of the ketchup bottle

Ryan Maloney's profile picture
Ryan Maloney3 years ago

👌

Arzo Arsalan's profile picture
Arzo Arsalan3 years ago

@rattibha

george c. kaloudis | γκ's profile picture
george c. kaloudis | γκ3 years ago

mf he's right

Related Videos