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The Importance of Internal Consistency in Story Telling

The Importance of Internal Consistency in Story Telling. by Roger Bourke White Jr. www.whiteworld.com. About Roger. Vietnam Veteran in 60’s MIT engineering student in 70’s PC computer pioneer in 80’s English teacher in Korea in 90’s Sci-fi author and screen writer in 00’s

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The Importance of Internal Consistency in Story Telling

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  1. The Importance of Internal Consistency in Story Telling by Roger Bourke White Jr. www.whiteworld.com

  2. About Roger • Vietnam Veteran in 60’s • MIT engineering student in 70’s • PC computer pioneer in 80’s • English teacher in Korea in 90’s • Sci-fi author and screen writer in 00’s “I’ve been there and done that. And while I was doing it, I took notes.”

  3. Inconsistency = Losing It • When belief comes to a crashing halt: • "Eh? What just happened?” • "Eh? That person said what?" • The movie has blown it.

  4. Example: Prometheus • Half of the crew finds out what they are up to after they wake up two years into this journey • This starship lands on the surface of a planet with full Earth gravity and full Earth atmosphere -- it doesn't send down a shuttle.

  5. Channeling Ed Wood • They don't scout ahead. • Air is breathable! Poof! Off come helmets! • Getting lost? How? • Aww… How cute you little aliens are!

  6. Other issues • When does the first scene take place? • This alien is doing a ritual sacrifice • Who is doing the cave drawings? • This billionaire is senile, right? • Same DNA? How come they are so different?

  7. Pop Quiz • Q: What kind of story needs the most internal consistency?

  8. Pop Quiz • Q: What kind of story needs the most internal consistency? • A: Mysteries.

  9. Pop Quiz • Q: What kind of story needs the most internal consistency? • A: Mysteries. Because the inconsistencies are clues.

  10. Doing it Right • Moon (2009) • SF mystery • Limitless (2011) • Exploring a new technology • A Cabin in the Woods (2011) • SF mystery, Horror comedy • Lord of the Rings (book only)

  11. Doing it Right • The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) -- quirky comedy • Her (2013) -- Exploring new technology • Gravity (2013) -- Good weightlessness

  12. When it matters • When it is a mystery • When viewers see this many times • When the story has an unexpected twist • When it covers unfamiliar ground

  13. When it doesn’t matter • Distance and time issues • When the story is very familiar -- example: Frozen

  14. Conclusion • Internal consistency may not be high on the director’s priority list. • Keep it high on your list • More Technofiction reviews at Movieland -> reviews Technofictionland -> reviews

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