TIP #1: Carefully choose how you first reveal your main character

In RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Indiana Jones (portrayed by Harrison Ford) is shown as a silhouette walking through the jungle followed by two other men. One of the followers pulls out a gun and aims it at Indiana, who turns and snaps his whip, knocking the gun from the assassin's hand. Only then is Indiana's face revealed in close-up.

In CASABLANCA, we hear about main character Rick (portrayed by Humphrey Bogart). By the way his employees talk about him, we know that Rick is liked and well-respected. Then, we see Rick's hands as he signs a document. Then, the camera moves up and reveals Rick's world-weary face.

In AT FIRST SIGHT, we first hear the blindman's (portrayed by Val Kilmer) voice, a marvelous deep sound. We see his loving hands bring pleasure as he massages a woman's back. Finally, the camera flows upward to reveal his face.

TIP #2: Really create the atmosphere with the first scene

A huge spaceship travels on and on, above us, at the beginning of STAR WARS (the first film in the series). Then, there's a battle on board the ship. Soon Darth Vadar strides on board and kills a Rebel Soldier with an easy twist of his hand. We, the audience, are absolutely clear that here is a vicious 'bad guy' and a deadly war going on.

In THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, we see James Bond (Roger Moore) bid goodbye to a lover, outrace enemy skiers who fire at him, and leap off a cliff. He falls and falls... then his parachute opens, and it's the British flag in glorious red and blue! The setting has been set: a film of adventure and humor has begun!

TIP #3: Craft the high point for the end of your film

It's easy to recall the exploding shark at the end of JAWS. Consider the exploding Death Star in STAR WARS. And finally, how many dry eyes were in the theater, when Kevin Kostner's character played catch with his father in FIELD OF DREAMS. Many excellent writers "begin with the end in mind."

May these tips be useful to you: 1) to see a particular film, 2) for your writing, acting or other motion picture related work, or 3) just for the fun of it!

Tom Marcoux is a motion picture director, national speaker, time management expert, sales, business, personal and professional coach. He is currently directing LIVING, THE MOTION PICTURE; and his team is preparing the science fiction film TIMEPULSE, THE MOTION PICTURE.

By Tom Marcoux