Comments on: Big and Small

By: Liz Kreger

Liz Kreger — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:01:32 +0000

Sorry I’m so late in posting, Michelle. I LOVED “The Incredibles”. Erin is also one of those kids who love to watch and re-watch movies and “The Incredibles” is one of her favorites so I’ve probably seen it twenty or thirty times.

Nice job in breaking it down. I think I subconsciously caught most of the plot points you mentioned, but having them outlined really shows what a good story this actually was. Gonna have to watch it again soon.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:45:11 +0000

Happy watching, Karin . You deserve it after your marathon writing session.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:44:40 +0000

Alex, you put it so well. Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. That resonance and intertwining are what gives a story a sense of complexity, and makes the ending so satifying.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:43:10 +0000

Thanks, LaD. Have fun watching with the grandkids .

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:42:34 +0000

Thanks, Cindy . I just love Edith and her little asides, ‘Luck favours the prepared’, and ‘never look back, it distracts from the now’ being two of them .

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:38:39 +0000

Margaret, you’re right. I agree animated movies are easier to analyze, they are cleaner and clearer. Cars is another favorite of mine (and my son’s LOL) where the character arc, the big and the small story, are so clear and almost more satisfying for that.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:37:07 +0000

Edie, I think this movie sells itself, LOL. I can see your current WIP has an over-arching ‘big’ story, and the smaller story which reflects and strengthens it. That is what makes a story so satisfying, IMO.

By: Karin Tabke

Karin Tabke — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:56:55 +0000

Now I want to see to again!

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:07:14 +0000

I think it’s also important to have the plots complement and resonate with each other; how many sitcom episodes have featured two entirely unrelated plotlines that never really cross-pollenate? “The Incredibles” does that really well, as does my favorite movie, “Red River,” wherein the characters keep promising bad things that never happen, and the main character is constantly being told he’s wrong but can never acknowledge it. The climactic bad thing doesn’t happen because the main character finally *does* admit he’s wrong, and pulls the two thread together.

By: LaDonna

LaDonna — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:40:41 +0000

Okay, how in the world did I miss this movie? I’m sure the grandkids have it, so I’ll have them pull it out for me. We’ll have to watch it together, cause that’s the best times.

I, too, always have a secondary story running alongside my big one too. I love your comparison, Michelle. Great insight!