How to Write Addictive, Page-Turning Action (And Keep Your Readers up Until 3 AM)

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Well written action can be downright addictive. Let's face it: we love watching our characters face their biggest challenges and worst fears. But what is at the CORE of a good action sequence that makes it so addictive? What keeps us watching or reading late into the night? Whether you are writing a high fantasy, a sci-fi, or a contemporary, as a writer it's important to nail this aspect of your story. In this special Story Mining episode, Abbie and I are delving into some of our favorite well written action scenes, and taking apart each component to show you how exactly each of these ingredients come together to create action scenes that are truly binge-worthy.
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Опубликовано:

29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 59

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

✨ DON'T MISS OUR ACTION-PACKED CO-WRITE RELEASE - get on the waiting list here: mailchi.mp/kaemmons.com/kate-abbies-co-write-waiting-list

@milomazli 2 года назад

Hi Kate! I tried getting on the mailing list, but to my gmail adfresd the system kept saying "not valid email" and didnt let me sign up. Maybe Im not alone

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

@@milomazli I'll look into this right away, thank you for letting me know!! 🙏🌻🕊️

@milomazli 2 года назад

I love when Kate describled "you dont want just pew-pew, crash, CGI.." 😂😂😂 You TWO should make an action movie!! No joke! I think you would ROCK IT!!!!

@avtpro Год назад

In conclusion, I was really happy to hear Kate critique shots that can often lose audience, the wide crowd scene and the wide establishing shot versus the character close up. I recently watched a storyboard artist tutorial from 2014 that mentioned going close to wide and referred to it as Spielberg method. Also, as a CG Artist, it's so tempting to do Epic Wide crowd simulation scene because the tech to produce armies is an amazing breakthrough. But it's best not to hold those shot too long or the audience will be FF through a lot of CG dollars and render time. BTW, I loved Tilde Swinton in Narnia. She looked so phenomenal and foreboding wearing Aslan's mane in Battle. No wonder he stomped her and said "Give me my hair back Witch!" (in Lion's roar language). lol.

@growithjoy 2 года назад

Love you guys videos, always practical, i suspect it takes a lot to prepare this, thanks so much. If you dont mind doing a video on how to write characters with more chemistry, not just romantic chemistry but also bromances. Thanks

@briesullivan883 Месяц назад

Can you analyze Avatar The Last Airbender, Legend of Korra, The 100, and the Harry Potter books in terms of character arcs, story structure, and what should have been done differently?

@sarahmatthews5878 2 года назад

Everytime I watch you both. It takes me back to when my big sister and I would spend hours playing Barbies. My dad made us this massive barbie house and we would play for hours! We were so close and you both remind me of those days.

@youknowwho1732 2 года назад

Great videos ! This reminds me of what Peter Jackson (director of Lord of the rings and Hobbit trilogy) said. It was something like, in the big final battles, i don't want more than X minutes away from my characters bc that is what makes the spectator invested in the epic scences

@jamescarvey2133 2 года назад

Phew! the dynamics of story building are a lot more than merely writing one, and thanks for making me aware. I enjoyed your reference to the movie " Ironman", ( I read the comic as a teen and enjoyed the movie too) which actually illustrated what and how the abrasive exchange between protagonist and antagonist effectively but incrementally builds up to the climax. I am grateful for this " Backstage Pass" to observe the analytical tools in a writer's workshop🙏

@Amy_Mi6 2 года назад

"Pew, pew! Smash! CGI!" 😂😂😂

@spacewhales2118 2 года назад

Perfect timing! I’ve just introduced my villain, my protagonist is about to engage in the first confrontation. This was very useful thank you. Cause and effect and the consequences. Choreography of the fight scene, making every attack meaningful and move the story forward. Most importantly to keep in mind the boiling internal conflict that’s ready to erupt.

@Marayot 2 года назад

Great advice as usual! The last action/adventure that I wasn't willing to put down until the end was surprisingly not a regular novel nor a movie, but a web-manga. It was interesting to see how the author uses internal conflict along with the plot to drive the story, something that I wouldn't have analyzed before listening to you. I still enjoy just getting swept by "the story" but it leaves a greater impression when I look for the details I have learned from both of you. And for that, I thank you!

@MarieK36 2 года назад

Do you have any advice to publishing? I finished writing about a month ago, but I have no idea what I should do next! Should I try editing it myself? Should I have people read it? Or should I send it to a publisher? Thank you so much!!

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

Definitely self-edit first, definitely have beta readers. I recommend scrolling through our podcast playlist and watching some of the episodes we've made on these topics: ru-vid.com/group/PLpI8xqq0IZs4k_WA7cA6qfKw0SbBpueRc

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

AND CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING YOUR BOOK! You should be so proud! 🌻✨

@MarieK36 2 года назад

@@KAEmmons AWHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I COULDNT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YALL :))

@Amy_Mi6 2 года назад

Twin vibes in 3... 2... 35:49 😄

@avtpro Год назад

Again, Kudos to this format of K&A because it really rounds out topics discussed before. I saw "Suspense vs Surprise"! When Kate broke out the word "Anticipation". It's a great word but for years as an Animator it is highly misunderstood as bio-mechanical reaction or "take". Animators often make it just an "Antic" and it's always the same reflex, or contraction/squash. However, Anticipation is not just bio-mechanical it's also psychological. It's what's going to happen. It's a physical expression of a thought process of intent. I wind back because I am going to throw a ball. So now when you say "anticipation" I see it as a psychoanalytical term instead of physical or startle reflex. It's what is the audience thinking is going to happen.

@sarahmatthews5878 2 года назад

Also, hate me if you want. I love Aiden Turner. But he was awful as Ross. Played the role well. But his character was awful. I actually love George!

@r.michaelburns112 Год назад

Wait... External conflict cannot lead to internal conflict? Why on earth not??? It happens all the time in storytelling and in real life. An external conflict arises and a character struggles with internal conflict about how to respond to it, if they even should, is it their responsibility, etc. Society has collapsed and I'm living in a lawless world...do I cling to my moral beliefs or abandon it in favor of doing whatever I must to survive? War has broken out, and I'm not sure the enemy is as evil as my country tells me they are. Do I go fight, or resist, or resist from within, or desert? So much internal conflict starts with something external to us...

@audreymaccready5778 2 года назад

I'd be interested to hear you use examples about action scenes from books rather than movies. I have several violent scenes in my books and am never sure if I've got the balance right between describing the physical movements of my characters with the emotional response of the protagonist/antagonist.

@avtpro Год назад

It is absolutely incredible that these two girls broke down every kung fu, movie epic conflict action adventure fight and CG Army crowd war scene in a way that is more effective. Outstanding.❤💯👏💥🌹🔥

@avtpro Год назад

Thanks Kate ampersand Abbie! I really need this information. I was trying to find a way to make my character animation stunts more meaningful. I thought it was simply adding dialog but I see without a progressive, meaningful arch it would just be an event. Even adding dialog wouldn't be enough. The big question should have still been "What and How" does this physical event effect my character? Now I can see how some of my favorite cinematic scenes, even without actual blows being tossed were high impact drama. i.e. The Bathroom scene in the Matrix where Persephone wanted a Kiss from Neo. Extremely High Stakes internal conflict with Trinity, Morpheus and Neo.

@Amy_Mi6 2 года назад

Here's the link to that world building vid Kate was talking about... ✨️ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XYujKvsnpnY.html

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

Thank you, Amy!!💛💛💛

@Amy_Mi6 2 года назад

@@KAEmmons Happy to help! 🥰💜

@thesamuraiman 2 года назад

💜⚡️

@madelyn932 2 года назад

As someone who keeps a notebook and takes time to watch all of Abbie's old videos and any podcasts that will be useful in the future and take multiple pages of notes on them, have different sections with different types of videos (Ask Abbie, Kate and Abbie Show, Writers Life Wednesdays) and a huge table of content-type-thing at the back, the videos you two produce are goldmines for amazing tips and advice. I can't explain the joy I feel when one of you have posted.

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

Your words mean so much to us, we are so happy we can create things that serve you in a positive way! 🌻🙏Thank you for being here friend

@melancholyman369 Год назад

Google doc send me, so I can read?

@PonderingPenNames 2 года назад

Off topic, yet very relevant::: Kate, you're hair and vibe in this video is so pretty! I love that shirt!

@KAEmmons 2 года назад

aww, thank you so much sweet soul! 🌻

@josephgilbert1864 2 года назад

This is so timely. Thank you so much for this. ✨

@stephaniedalportofantasy 2 года назад

Great Podcast! I get so much value from you two. Thank you for sharing what you do best!

@avtpro Год назад

Another one of my favorite action scene was Robert Downey " Sherlock vs Moriarty" The bone chilling way Morarty raised the stakes by letting Sherlock know his loved ones will suffer. Contrasting dialog of couth and candor against Cambridge champions combative strategist, it was hold your breath for the whole scene.

@janeripley1812 2 года назад

What do equipment do you guys use for your shows. I'm interested to know models and brands and what you consider essential

@dionmcgee5610 Месяц назад

Great video amd excellent points, my only quibble is that as far as action stories go- if you don't care about the characters or the stories really flat with little tension or character dynamics- most people I know don't fast forward through the action sequences to get to the talking bits (the BORING talking bits, mind you.). Rather, people fast forward through the boring talking parts to get to the slightly less-boring action scenes. Some badly written disappointment movies (i'm thinking Matrix Reloaded) have such well done action set pieces- it's easy to skip through all the relentless, franchise ruining plotline alterations just to get to the next pointless but viscerally thrilling action scene. If you ever make a video about Trilogy does and don'ts, be sure to include the essential "Don't change the philosophical underpinning of your huge-hit first film in the sequel to one diametrically opposite to the one that delighted the audience of that inteoductory movie. I e. Freewill and Determinism are NOT interchangable.

@lillydevil2486 2 года назад

Honestly I couldn't watch any of the John Wick movies because the action just felt empty. It's just 'uber super boogeyman' guy fighting and winning all of his fights. There is no risk

@MarieK36 2 года назад

AWESOME VIDEO! HAVENT EVEN WATCHED IT BUT I ALREADY KNOW IT’LL BE AWESOME! LOVE YOU GUYS

@jurikase1683 2 месяца назад

I allways ask following question when I write action: Why are those characters the only one who fit into the conflict? If I can change the characters and the action still works, its bad.^^

@jurikase1683 2 месяца назад

Some of my favorite action scenes are not at all moving the plot foreward, but are all about the characters.^^

@spacewhales2118 2 года назад

A lot of this might apply to training scenes. However I need to know how to make training scenes engaging. To demonstrate the skills and magic so it’s not boring. There isn’t much on Training Scenes on RU-vid. Might be a good topic!

@avtpro Год назад

Last thing, and I meant to say this sooner or some other video of Abbie's. Abbie is being very sweet and gentle which I'm sure she is, but to be honest, I don't mind her sharp wit when driving home a point or topic. Let me explain why, want to know? Because else "we" or some of us, namely me, wouldn't get the importance or significance of the point she is making otherwise unless it pricks just a tinge. Some times you have hit some of us over the head with a guitar and say " KaBong!" to get a point across and her exactingly sharp wit and big blue eyed marbleizing stare is the equivalent. Some times that is not enough so she repeats it over, over and over again. So when you both said "Internal Conflict" in sisterly unison I burst out laughing. It's the Antedote~ Thank You.

@stgr6669 8 месяцев назад

Who says that I (as a reader or movie viewer) don't care for the "nameless" guys? I can imagine that there is somebody somewhere for whom this redshirt is the most important person on the world. So, if the main character acts like they are not worth to care, why should this main character be worth to care?

@farmtutor2379 Год назад

I’m writing a story that uses events that build on the internal conflict and the stakes are perceived shortly after the conflict. I want to say it still works but everything I just heard is making me second guess it.

@dessertthingy 2 года назад

I love your content, but the microphones covering half your faces are very distracting. I would like to see you when you talk to me. Please move them down a bit 😊

@yukiame2488 Год назад

Some good ideas for sure, but I feel the title is misleading - I was looking for at least some examples from books...

@kabirchowdhury4003 28 дней назад

I tought this advice was great

@CraftBasti Год назад

Wait what, one of you doesn't read? But is an author?

@eugenetswong Год назад

This helps. Thanks, girls!

@lucasmoreira3237 Год назад

Thank you!

@tonimojo5859 Год назад

Very well done video. Thank you two so much. Such valuable content. And I can't believe you guys know about the red shirts. 🤣🤣🤣

@frankamoroso9338 2 года назад

The black circles you have placed before your microphones are blocking you faces and inhibiting seeing what you are saying. This is not only distracting but for those of us who have hearing issues, it distracts from comprehending and appreciating your wisdom

@TheAquamarine4 Год назад

I feel like sometimes i love action scenes that aren’t really character driven but that the character is attached to the world so much that the internal conflict is actually the external conflict of the world itself being what you are routing for and then the people in it are the only ones with the abilities to protect that world so even if i barely care about the characters I’m still hooked to the scenes and a great ex. Is Avatar: the Legend of Korra!