I’m pretty sure the first post I ever published on this poor neglected substack was my personal running list of Screenwriting Principles. I started compiling this list almost 15 years ago, early into my first screenwriting gig writing on the Western mystery show
I noticed this post's "both wildly unexpected and also perfectly suited" examples are similar to your post about "but/also" characters, with examples like Tony Soprano, Rust Cohle, and the SVU detective with a sex addiction.
I was wondering if "shape/juice" and "but/also” thinking are connected to bisociation?
Fargo's conceit: Minnesota nice + killing spree. It's like a killing spree seemingly doesn't fit in the milieu of "Minnesota nice," but it does in this film. Just as you pointed out, Marge seemingly doesn't fit the procedural detective role, but she does in this film.
Jerry's car is a "justified oddity" against the pattern of the boxed-trees and lot lights. It's a bit off, but also fits the shape, the pattern.
Or what about Ethan Coen's poetry book title, "The Drunken Driver Has the Right of Way"?
A clearer example for me is Conrad Hall's windowpane tears in the film "In Cold Blood". Or Hemingway's six-word story: "Garage sale. Baby shoes. Never worn." Or the famous transitions in “Lawrence of Arabia” or “2001 Space Odyssey”.
A selfish request: I was wondering if you'd be willing to explore this concept further in another post. This topic has been on my mind for at least a year. I would be grateful to read your expanded thoughts on the topic.
I have a bunch of other examples I could list here if you're interested. Examples from Tarkovsky, Kubrick, Milch, Alex Webb, Chaplin, The Godfather, etc.
Another resource that explores the topic is Howard Suber in his "The Power of Film" series on TCM. The episode is "The Power of Paradox."
Oooh good stuff! Thinking about the sequence I’m about to write in a new way. Thanks!
Top-tier post, Tony. Glad the season went well - good to have your thoughts here again. Thanks.
Brilliant as usual! Thanks Tony.
Really thoughtful (and helpful). Thank you.
Great post as always.
I noticed this post's "both wildly unexpected and also perfectly suited" examples are similar to your post about "but/also" characters, with examples like Tony Soprano, Rust Cohle, and the SVU detective with a sex addiction.
I was wondering if "shape/juice" and "but/also” thinking are connected to bisociation?
https://www.themarginalian.org/2013/05/20/arthur-koestler-creativity-bisociation/
Do you think these "Fargo" examples apply?
Fargo's conceit: Minnesota nice + killing spree. It's like a killing spree seemingly doesn't fit in the milieu of "Minnesota nice," but it does in this film. Just as you pointed out, Marge seemingly doesn't fit the procedural detective role, but she does in this film.
In this scene: https://youtu.be/SuGQp5QXsuk?si=ervmSowMI8N7UvQ7&t=295
I could be reaching here, but the red light, red jacket, and white snow double for the trope of the blood spilt of the innocent.
Or this scene: https://images.app.goo.gl/hVXz5tenQm3cLU9MA
Jerry's car is a "justified oddity" against the pattern of the boxed-trees and lot lights. It's a bit off, but also fits the shape, the pattern.
Or what about Ethan Coen's poetry book title, "The Drunken Driver Has the Right of Way"?
A clearer example for me is Conrad Hall's windowpane tears in the film "In Cold Blood". Or Hemingway's six-word story: "Garage sale. Baby shoes. Never worn." Or the famous transitions in “Lawrence of Arabia” or “2001 Space Odyssey”.
A selfish request: I was wondering if you'd be willing to explore this concept further in another post. This topic has been on my mind for at least a year. I would be grateful to read your expanded thoughts on the topic.
I have a bunch of other examples I could list here if you're interested. Examples from Tarkovsky, Kubrick, Milch, Alex Webb, Chaplin, The Godfather, etc.
Another resource that explores the topic is Howard Suber in his "The Power of Film" series on TCM. The episode is "The Power of Paradox."
Glad to see you back
I use the "juice" and the "sauce" interchangeably in development.