Dean Movshovitz

Screenwriter, Speaker, Story Consultant | Author of Pixar Storytelling: Rules for Effective Storytelling Based on Pixar’s Greatest Films.

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

Refusal of the Call doesn't have to be a literal refusal. It's simply a moment that makes clear that a NORMAL PERSON WOULDN'T TAKE THIS CALL. Our protag is either heroic, flawed, or desperate enough to go on this crazy mission. Otherwise... What's the big deal?

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

You don't 'need' anything. Refusal of a Call isn't about a checklist, or a quick montage of a hero debating "What should they do" . It's about emphasizing why this decision isn't easy. Why it's A BIG DEAL. 1/?

[Zack Stentz @MuseZack]

@SandyofCthulhu Too many screenwriters and development executives read Joseph Campbell (or half-assed summaries of Campbell) and became convinced that every hero's story needed a "refusal of the call" beat. When in fact, many don't!

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

In action movies it's often given to secondary characters because our heroes are too heroic - Brody in Raiders warning Indy about the powers of the arc; In a romcoms its a warning - see Billy Crystal explaining about why men and women can't be friends in WHMS. Recent example:

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

In Project Hail Mary there's a particuarly interesting form of the refusal, placing it far later in the story; The refusal is classically used in The Substance— Ms. Sparkle throws away the brochure, before desperation makes her fish it out of the garbage, and order The Substance

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

@iditsilman כן, כמוך.

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

If you could watch films from the body of work of only one director for the rest of your life, which Indiana Jones would you start with?

[Jerry O'Connell @MrJerryOC]

Love you, Rob. Sincerely.

[luca @waynesfury]

easily one of the best scenes of the year for me. the whiplash you feel from the tonal shift is insane

[Luis A. Mendez @MendezMovieRPT]

Christians are often sold the idea that nothing emerging from the secular sphere of film can help them engage meaningfully with questions of their own faith, but I’ve seen more than a few secularly produced films in recent years that wrestle with faith far more thoughtfully than any Angel Studios movie has.

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

RELEASE THE TAPES!

[DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilm]

‘ZOOTOPIA 2’ originally had a 4-minute long scene that was a homage of Clarice and Hannibal’s first meeting in ‘SILENCE OF THE LAMBS’

“We did word by word the first scene when Hannibal Lecter meets Clarice…
That’s where we go, now we have lost our younger audience members”

(Source: https://t.co/QEndO3qFyE)

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

What do Lyndon Johnson, Stephen King, and Yossarian all have in common? They made it on the top 5 books that made me rethink my approach to storytelling, I enjoyed making for @Shepherd_books. Read them and level up your storytelling: https://t.co/O15KfoILwU

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

@AshLazerWrites Definitely some body horror, but it's the real life stuff that was most gut wrenching. It's almost as if the Dardenne Brothers made a horror movie. I was riveted and shrinking in my seat the whole time.

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

@joerussotweets I'm saying it now - this'll get the emmy for writing.

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

@maxescu @Kling_ai It also took: Herbert writing Dune; WB spending millions green-lighting it; 3 writers adapting the book; Villeneuve's vision ; an army of various artists and craftsmen bringing the movie to life; not to mention decades of Ghibli's output... but sure, it "took you 28 minutes".

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

The only Odysseus for me:

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

@whatevergever הוא נהדר בסרט, אבל אחרי הנאום שלו זה קצת מרגיש כאילו הוא פשוט הדמות באמת.

[DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilm]

Netflix execs tell screenwriters to have characters “announce what they’re doing so that viewers who have a program on in the background can follow along”

They also have thousands of micro-genres including “casual viewing” which is used for movies/TV that go down best when you’re not paying attention.

(Source: https://t.co/KIZ2gKloK4)

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

It's such a joy for us House MD fans to see @Official_PeterJ pop up in #Smile2 to talk about an insane life threatening medical operation to slow down a woman's heart. Felt like old times.

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

Very proud to share with you my first speaker sizzle reel!
Since publishing Pixar Storytelling I've had the privilege of being invited to give lectures and workshops based on the book, and I absolutely love doing so. To read more about my keynote: https://t.co/HVyULY4fwF

[Dean Movshovitz @mdean317]

@EmbryEthan @pauldavidson It broke even in my heart and soul.