The Heather Parady Show

Directing, Writing Scripts & Loyalty to the Character (Mark W. Travis)

creativity storytelling May 08, 2023

"There are stories that want to be heard. Your goal is to find out what the hell are you really writing about."

Today we are taking a DEEP DIVE into directing, writing scripts, and being loyal to characters in our stories. Our guest is Mark W. Travis, Director and CEO of Travis International Film Institute and an internationally recognized film directing authority with over 40 years of experience.

In today's conversation, Mark discusses with us the significance of character-driven stories and how to use the “interrogation process” to find the characters voice. Whether you are a writer, director, or actor you will learn a lot from Mark’s approach to character loyalty and authentic storytelling.

FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:

As a writer you don’t always want to remove the ego- instead rely on it
Using the “interrogation process” to access the character
Autobiographical storytelling
The danger of assumption and going “back to the original impulse."

TAKEAWAYS:

“The events of the story are not the story. what's going on inside the protagonist during those events. That's the story.”
Be aware when we are assuming too much and if you are stuck go “back to the original impulse.
“If you get out of the way, your best work will come through. It's ironic that you could be the greatest obstacle to your best work.”

WHO IS MARK W. TRAVIS?

Mark W. Travis, founder and director of the TRAVIS INTERNATIONAL FILM INSTITUTE (tifi.us), is the creator of the revolutionary TRAVIS TECHNIQUE of working with actors to elicit instantaneous and authentic performances that translate brilliantly onto the screen.

Winner of over 30 directorial awards, Mark Travis has taught his cutting-edge directing approach at over 50 film schools, Directors Guilds and major film studios worldwide. His clients include Academy Award winners and nominees.

His in-depth directing courses, coaching and consultations open up and elevate all phases of filmmaking, from pre to post, including the writing, casting, rehearsal and staging processes, which often result in a noticeable reduction of production time and cost.

CONNECT WITH MARK W. TRAVIS: www.TIFI.us

QUOTES:

There are stories that want to be heard. Your goal is to find out what the hell are you really writing about. @[email protected] CLICK TO TWEET

The events of the story are not the story. what's going on inside the protagonist during those events. That's the story. @MarkWTravis @HeatherParady CLICK TO TWEET

If you don't want to reveal something about your character at that time, your decision to not reveal it, to hide it from the audience can become the most fascinating part of the story. @MarkWTravis @HeatherParady CLICK TO TWEET

If you get out of the way, your best work will come through. It's ironic that you could be the greatest obstacle to your best work. @MarkWTravis @HeatherParady CLICK TO TWEET