In our earlier blogs, we have seen the Patterns of several filmmakers and we learned that Patterns can be both a boon and a bane. Most of the time, we have seen that the patterns of the filmmaker are affecting his/her storytelling methods. Due to this, the filmmaker is struggling to create new types of character egos, situations, story. When the filmmaker thinks about forming a new story, his/her subconscious mind puts them in the same thinking pattern. Only if the filmmaker realizes his/her thinking pattern, will be able to break it. It is not difficult to attain self-realization but the ego, and experience of the filmmaker stop them to learn new things. Filmmakers may wonder why their new creations are not receiving good reception among the audience. They may think it is new but for the audience, it is a repeated story world. To break these shackles, one should know the different types of patterns and their impact on storytelling.If the filmmaker is using the below-given patterns again and again, then it will not give a feeling to the audience that the filmmaker is telling the same story in all his films.
For example,
- If the protagonist has a single parent in all his/her stories. It is a repeated pattern but it mayn't harm the flow of the story. Because the audience is not worried about it. They only concentrate on the goals, situations, characters, and the story world.
- Either the love lady or protagonist proposes first in all his stories - it's fine to use this pattern in all of his/her films. But one has to consciously limit this factor.
- Same place, name, genre, or friends - it's okay to use the same location name (For example Pondichery, Chennai, Goa, Delhi, etc.). Filmmakers will have sentiments of using the same character name. For example, Writer Crazy Mohan uses the name "Janaki" for all his female leads. This will not affect the storytelling.
- Same pair, time duration, story background, or world - it's okay to use in all the stories of the filmmaker.
Filmmakers need to have a checkpoint to use the above-given patterns. One shouldn't overdo it.
Patterns that need to be avoided by the filmmaker.
- Same Conflicts in all stories - If the problem raise using a slap, the filmmaker shouldn't use this conflict in his next story. Find a new conflict such that the story looks afresh.
- The protagonist is not aligned with the goal - This is a dangerous pattern. While the story and plot are finding a finish line, the protagonist too should find one for him/her. The protagonist's goal needs to be in line with the purpose of the story.
- Same Plot Structure - For example, after the Annamalai movie, most of the Rajnikanth movies fall into the "Man in the Hole" plot structure. Because of his massive stardom, films may be successful. But if the filmmaker is using the same plot structure then his/her career will be on a downtrend.
- Same types of Screenplay/Revenge/Characterization - The audience will be in pre-determination and decode the movie even before they watch it.
- Multiple goals or messages in one story - This will dilute the focus of the audience and tend to lose interest.
- Irrelevant genre, situation, or circumstances - The story requires one type of genre but the filmmaker will choose a different type of genre (his comfort zone). When the story flow is not in the control, the filmmaker will create random scenes (situation and circumstances).
Director Vetri Maran usually starts his story with voice-over narration and a crime scene. In due course, the audience will guess what his next film will look like.
Third-party Script Auditing is the only option for the filmmakers to identify and understand their pattern.