TED Talk (Part 8): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations, much of what could be valuable as a writer drifts away into the ether. So for two weeks, I will be posting the entire transcript of Abrams’ ‘mystery box’ TED Talk.

Part 8 of J.J. Abrams 2007 TED Talk continues his presentation about the “mystery box.”

Then there’s distribution. What’s a bigger mystery box than a theater? You go to a theater, you’re so excited to see anything, the moment the lights go down is often the best part. You’re full of that excited anticipation. And often the movie’s there and it’s going, and something happens and you go, “Uh,” and then something else, and you go, “Um.” With a great movie, you’re along for the ride because you’re willing to give yourself to it.

How about this for takeaway:

• Movie theater as mystery box: Ain’t that the truth! Some of the most profound or enjoyable or disturbing or satisfying moments of my life have occurred watching a movie in a theater. I’ll bet you have a similar sentiment. Think on that for a second: A movie made by hundreds of people you will never know personally, a mere two hours of time can completely transform you. If that isn’t a profound mystery, I don’t know what is.
• Excited anticipation: You know that feeling as the lights go down? Remember that the next time you write a scene. Because that scene you write must deliver the goods, must match the expectation of a script reader who is just waiting to be swept away. Which leads to —
• Willing to give yourself to it: What makes a script work so that a reader is willing to give him/herself to it? A great mystery, right? Yes and no. There are intangibles, to be sure. But there are principles and practices you can learn about storytelling that enable you to craft a script that has what it takes to win over a reader.

For Part 1 of Abrams’ TED Talk, go here.

For Part 2, go here.

For Part 3, go here.

For Part 4, go here.

For Part 5, go here.

For Part 6, go here.

For Part 7, go here.

To watch the entire video, go here.