Inside Story: Dara Marks

10s

10s

Veteran
I'm looking at getting another screenwriting book so I want to get some input on Dara Mark's book "Inside Story." I've read some glowing reports about it but I'm still left wondering what exactly is so good about it?

  • What is the best thing you have taken away from it?
  • Is it worth having on my shelf?
thanks for your advice ;)

-10s
 
I have her book, hardcover. Started reading it but it did not grab me, just sitting in a box somewhere. Maybe it is a great book and I am not ready for it. I will go take another look at it. 5 out of 5 stars by all 11 reviewers on amazon. Other books I have picked up and they have been page turners, I can read them in a few days-- like McKee's "Story", John Truby's book, Michael Hauge's "Writing Screenplays that Sell"; "Writing the Romantic Comedy", etc.
 
I got this book for christmas and it changed the entire way I look at scripts and help me focus more on what it´s really about and the character arc. For me it´s invaluable.

But I think it all depends on who´s reading it. But it´s definitely worth having on your shelf!
 
The book's usefulness is contingent upon what type of story you write.

For example, I wrote a CHARACTER-DRIVEN, COMING OF AGE tale called Moon Over Unity, in which the entire story is fueled by the actions of the main character--a precocious 11-year old Hispanic girl who undergoes a major transformation. Dara's principles are invaluable for this type of script.

I'm now working on a Lynchian story called The Cobbler Buckethead, which is designed to confound the audience by blurring the line between reality and fantasy at every turn. Here, the convoluted plot--a fractured narrative--reigns supreme, and Dara's principles have little use, if any.
 
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I just finished this book and I think it's really great but I have yet to apply the principles therein on my rewrite so I can't really say how helpful it truly is. However, I do think the philosophy and the terminology are spot on and easy to wrap my mind around unlike some of Truby's 22 steps. For me it was definitely worth $35 and I'm even considering her 1 day workshop in DC on March 28th. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has taken it or (not to hijack this thread) can recommend any good workshops.
 
dlombard said:
I just finished this book and I think it's really great but I have yet to apply the principles therein on my rewrite so I can't really say how helpful it truly is. However, I do think the philosophy and the terminology are spot on and easy to wrap my mind around unlike some of Truby's 22 steps. For me it was definitely worth $35 and I'm even considering her 1 day workshop in DC on March 28th. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has taken it or (not to hijack this thread) can recommend any good workshops.
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Thanks!


Is there anything in particular that stands out as transformative? one of those aha! moments when everything gets much clearer.
 
The transformation arc and all its parts are worth the price of the book alone. You won't be disappointed, especially if you are a believer in the "Character as King" approach to screenwriting.
 

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10s said:
Thanks!


Is there anything in particular that stands out as transformative? one of those aha! moments when everything gets much clearer.
Click to expand...

As far as "Ah Ha" moments go, the book really helped me connect the character need to theme. Marks makes great sense of the notion that themes have clear and specific goals for characters to seek or avoid which serve to transform the character from what they were to what they may (or may not) become. This concept was always confusing to me because I never knew exactly HOW it occurred. For instance, according to Robert McKee, Paddy Chayefsky would tape the theme of his screenplay to his typewriter and "filter" everything through that phrase. I was never quite sure what it meant to filter everything through that phrase but Dara's book makes it extremely clear that the theme provides both goals and obstacles for the character to chase or dodge and thereby gives the story a logical and cohesive through line.

I should also mention that I only picked up Dara's book because Kyle endorsed it in his thread for which I am eternally grateful. I'm working my way through his list and recommend you check out the thread if you haven't already.
 
Thanks dlombard , Kyle, Tormod and all!

Character arc & Theme is important for most all the stories I want to tell, so I can use extra help.

The "filter thing" has me very interested. I can understand how one needs that as a compass to maintain heading & help navigate the landscape of story options. It's easy to go astray!
 
Dara Marks Inside Story

Dara Marks Inside Story

What grabbed me the most about Dara's book was her focus on theme-based writing in order to convey a more meaningful story. She gives writers concrete ways to turn what you want to express into tangible goals, obstacles, and character traits. It has helped me immensely -- especially during the rewrite process, when I'm deciding between what scenes/actions/dialogue will enhance my thematic point of view. It is not the easiest read, and I highly recommend taking it on after you've written at least one screenplay.

In an effort to get us East Coast writers a little love from Hollywood, I'm helping coordinate her visit to DC to present her seminar. She is really nice, and if you had any questions about the book, she'd probably respond to your email (as she did mine - that same day!).

Hope this helps!:)
 
Thank you, yes, you are very helpful. I can definately use some concrete ways to help me improve my craft.

Have you or any readers noticed improvement in your stories since you've been using Dara's suggestions?



Thanks! :)
 
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