How Stories Work with Jay Sherer
How Stories Work with Jay Sherer
How Stories Work with Jay Sherer
Imagine the subscribers of How Stories Work-people just like you-becoming the next wave of impactful storytellers, writers, film critics, and storytelling enthusiasts. That’s the goal. By unpacking how stories (and audiences) work, we can slice through the clutter and noise to tell better stories that get our voices heard. Jay Sherer, award-winning writer and storytelling executive for the Reclamation Society, and his friends and guests are here to help.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL + STORYTELLING RESOURCES:
www.patreon.com/howstorieswork
JAY'S ORIGINAL STORIES (CO-WRITTEN BY NATHAN SCHECK):
- Death of a Bounty Hunter (novel and audiobook): deathofabountyhunter.com
- Timeslingers (YA serial adventure story): www.amazon.com/Timeslingers/d...
- Star Wars: Rivals (short film): kzread.info/dash/bejne/qaaludGNfLXgc9o.html
FOLLOW/CONNECT:
- Twitter: twitter.com/storytellinghsw
- Instagram: instagram.com/howstorieswork
Пікірлер
I wouls have pointed out that Alejandro forced Kate to sign the statement at gunpoint. She's not a wolf.
Definitely not a wolf!
amazing!!! ima need that poster ! haha congrats brother you deserve it!
Dude, I'm gonna send you one, for sure!
@@HowStoriesWork dude!!! hell yea!
Better than the Star Wars sequels
Thank you!!! I love how it came out.
Too bad endgame was the worst movie of the series.
Ooooh, hot take!!! What do you consider “the series,” all of the MCU? Which film was your favorite?
My feature cost $1500 in total. 23 sets/50 locations in 3 counties. 23 actors and 30 extras. Shooting for 5 weeks. I have a slightly different way of getting things done 🙂
Nice! Definitely non-traditional. So, you’re using a non-paid/non-union cast? Are your locations just shot guerrilla-style? I want to know more about this!
If she poisoned him, why pull the knife at the end?
Great question. I think that’s just her trying not to get killed herself. She can be assured he’ll die, but she still tries a last-ditch effort to stay alive.
Absolutely hated this movie. You glossed over the execution of the innocent and helpful taxi driver, and ignored the colonialist undertones of the killer’s relationship with his “loyal” girlfriend and her loyal-servant brother. Brown, black, and female people are dispensible, yet there is - inexplicably - mercy for the white billionaire who WAS INDEED to blame for the entire mess. The cartoonish, endless, unrealistic fight scene from which the killer emerges with nary a scratch or broken bone. The storage units filled with passports, drivers licenses, and credit cards that never expire. This movie started out really strong, but quickly ran out of budget and reverted to boilerplate action-movie cliches and pseudo-intellectual drivel aimed at the “teen-aged boys with immature prefrontal cortices” market. I do like your take on the ending, though.
I actually think that all your points actually reinforce the main message of the film. Ultimately, we’re supposed to realize that the world is harsh, brutal, and unfair. And that’s why the Killer’s mantra ultimately fails. Because we’re not supposed to be rooting for him. So, I’m a little surprised you didn’t like it. Did you feel like they were making him out to be too much of a hero that we’re rooting for? Thanks for watching and commenting!
You nailed it!
Thanks, John!
He’s form the mean streets, so he’s rough- but deep down he’s a good man.
this explanation deserves more views
Thanks, Justin! Appreciate you watching and commenting!
I like that it’s the boring water and land swindle, that makes it seem so real, and mature- no Hollywood script would had been so complex. …and then to add incest to the story- we have gone to places that are overwhelmingly disturbing. The ending… Crushing- such a punch to the soul. You’re right- everything we needed to know was there in the beginning. If you’re rich and powerful, you can get away with murder, and get everything you want. Jake knew better, he got involved and forgot his own words- but everything was stacked against him.
Exactly! Amazing film.
Great movie and the review. I was confused about why he got away with murder. But she and he didn't. She was not trusting anyone. Bravo. My kind of picture!
Agreed! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Your complaint is one of the things that I liked the most about the movie. That was genius!
LOL! I’m glad it worked for you!
What does sicario means
If you watch the longer video here I explain it: SICARIO Explained | Everything YOU Missed! kzread.info/dash/bejne/oJd2uZurnZjbeag.html - Check it out and let me know what you think!
You’re asking how a watch works. For now just focus on the time
The Medellin Cartel was the organisation created by none other than Pablo Escobar, considered to be the original cartel that everyone else that has come after(like Sinaloa) wants to emulate. Just a little info that helps viewers understand the weight behind the word "Medellin".
Facts. Thanks for the comment!
One of the most important things he said at the end was, "Once I see his eyes, I'll have a pretty good idea how this is gonna go."
Nice take on the bear story. I thought the expert asked him why he was confronting her when the job could have been done in other ways related to that story. But your perspective makes it have more than one meaning.
Thank you for your explanation...❤
Thanks for the comment! I appreciate it!
Like button: murdered.
🤣🤣🤣
It's definitely helpful as I'm trying to learn to compress time in a dramatic screenplay with some dark humor. I've written novels but my attention is not how it used to be anymore so for that last three years, I've come back to screenplays...
Love it! Glad it was helpful!
@@HowStoriesWork, thanks for doing this video! I know it can't be easy to put all this together. Definitely have subscribed! :D
Is it possible for anyone to get the cover of the book on the hardcover? Not in a book jacket but on the physical book? I printed through KDP and that was the way the hard cover was done and I really liked it. But with IS I've just seen the book jacket.
This was soo good. Thank you for explaining.
Of course! Thanks for watching and commenting!
The premise is stated in the last meeting between Alejandro and Kate; "this is the land of wolves now." The Sicarii were not legal entities, but were fighting a just war. There are no "illegal moves" in a street fight when your life is on the line. The same is true when facing an enemy who knows no rules. You either die fighting by the rules, or you overcome and survive.
Yeah, and then the question becomes: Are Matt and the agency actually fighting a just war? In this case, if it’s avenging Alejandro’s family, the answer is a probable “yes” (even though he murders women and children, which is going too far into an “eye for an eye”). BUT, if we’re talking about the agency taking down one cartel only to reinstate the Medellin Cartel… that gets a little dicier. Excellent point!
@@HowStoriesWork Good point... But as Matt says, "...until somebody finds a way to convince 20% of the population to stop snorting and smoking that shit, order's the best we can hope for." The US has not the political will to go to war with Mexico or those citizens who are the cause of the market. In the face of that, "order's the best we can hope for," and, to the majority of both American and Mexicans, order, instead of the chaos and death they currently face, is probably about as just a goal as can be hoped for.
100%. That’s what makes the film so powerful. The concept of how the individual perspective (Kate’s) can’t accept the need for this gray area, whereas the overall system must do something and the gray area is the “best” solution that can currently be found. Really great stuff!
You missed your calling as a News Reel announcer Jay
If talking in an Atlantic accent and reading the news was still a thing… I’d be up for it. As someone who recently watched the film, what do you think of my ultimate take?
@@HowStoriesWork I do think that it's about Kane's longing for a simpler life. In terms of story, it's a fascinating look at how wealth and power don't equal happiness. I would agree that there are themes about control within the text. Having viewed it for the first time a few weeks back, it is an interesting enough film to revisit and dig deeper into now that I know a few of the beats.
I definitely always took Alejandro to be working for the medallin cartel, as the CIA has been partnering with organized crime since their inception. Lots of folks “work” for the CIA, or are assets. Seemed like that’s the best explanation for his family being murdered. But I guess him being a good guy prosecutor before works as well. Kinda weird he’s a tier 1 operator now, but makes more sense than what I had first thought
You know, they’re vague enough about his origin that I feel like he could have easily been involved in the Medellin Cartel. I need to watch Day of the Soldado and look for more clues. That’s gonna be one of my upcoming videos.
Great analysis of my favorite movie! 😃 I actually never caught that Guillermo Diaz was nothing but "a gift" to Alejandro from his friend - and that Matt never cared about his "potential intel" because they already had enough to go on and verify said intel - later. BUT that killing/torturing/imprisoning Guillermo Diaz -> Was PART of shaking Manuel Diaz's tree. = Like a "buy 2, get 1 free" special deal 😅😂 And I think Matt Graver would actually call it just that in his completely casual mood. - However I did THINK I caught you in a mistake as well: 12:45 - you call Fausto Alarcon the TOP DOG which it's said that he is not. Back at the first inter Agency meeting, they called him the number 3. guy (or believed to be) and in the second Sicario movie, the girl Reyes knew of "The grieving lawyer" from her father who was ranked higher than Alarcon. = I think I'm right on that one, but it IS a bit hard to remember everything exactly as it was said (or written) so I may still be wrong 😃
That makes sense. I feel like Matt calls him something like that in the meeting… but it’s been a while since I studied the film. Even knowing how the real cartels work, in that the guys at the top are SUPER undercover, it would make sense that Alarcon isn’t the apex. But maybe Matt and the inter-agency team are referring to him that way as he’s the target? I’d have to go back and verify that, though. Thanks for watching and commenting! I’ve been asked to do a video on Day of the Soldado, so stay tuned for that one!
@@HowStoriesWork No it was the guy looked like Bart Simpson had grown up who called him the 3rd guy 🙂 Irrelevant detail though. Uhh I'd love to see you do Day of the Soldado! So looking forward to it 😁
Can u do a day of soldado video just like this?
Yes! I need to. Another viewer also asked for one. I have two other ones coming out before then, but I’m definitely interested in doing one on Day of the Soldado!
@HowStoriesWork Ok, thanks!!
You're so right. When the waiter 1st came and asked if he could bring the menu, she responded (paraphrasing): "no, thank yo. A flight of whiskeys. And bring *MY* bottle please." Keyword "MY".. Which means the expert had a bottle ready for such a moment. The killer in fact took a shot of whiskey with her.
Nailed it! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
“We have to play it by the book.” Said by every loser of any conflict in history.
This is an excellent point. And a sad, but true one. Which is so wild. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Love your videos, Jay! It's a crime that these vids don't get more views...
This comment made my day! Thank you, Zachary! 🙌🏼
Awesome breakdown!
Thank you! Thanks for watching and commenting!
The twitch was a sign that he can't settle into normal life.When did the expert get the chance to plant poison on the glass when he did'nt show any intentention to drink.She was not expecting to see him and im sure the waiters wer'nt in on it.Also i'm expecting a part 2.
I had another commenter mention that most assassins carry an anti-poison serum, which still leaves a Part 2 on the table. But, the twitch is for sure necrosis. Because there’s no way the line about “painful facial necrosis” would be so descriptive without it mattering later in the story. The simple reasoning for The Expert is that she knows he’s coming, identifies that he’s following her, and one of her methods of assassinating people is to take them to that restaurant. Notice she says: “Bring me my bottle.” It’s all pre-planned. That’s my take. I’ve heard other takes, but I haven’t heard one that makes more sense yet… 🤷🏻♂️
Is it worth to use both platforms at the same time for the same book? (IS for hardcovers only lets say, ale KDP for paperback and ebooks although not sure if an ebook is a good option for kids anyway…) I am getting ready to self publish my first children book and it’s tricky enough cos I live in UK but writing in my native language… I do plan to publish in English too, but later on…
I know Amazon has a hardcover option now, but I haven’t tried it so I can’t speak to it. I think the main reason to use IS is to get into bookstores. BUT, in order for that to work, for self-published authors, you would need to contact your local bookstores and “sell” to them to order your book. Personally, I think that option is really only beneficial to self-published authors who have name recognition. Good luck!!! I hope the process goes great!
Do the new one please thanks
I definitely need to revisit that one! Thanks for the suggestion!
I hope you don't mind me commenting on a video that (according to KZread) is a year old. I think you are right about him saying the line, not to rally the team together, but to himself. We can use "movie logic" to believe everyone heard him say it, but despite that, I see it in relation to what just happened before it. He had basically lost the fight against Thanos. He was the last man standing facing down a whole army. He was going to fight to the last breath, but he knew he wasn't going to survive. Then, all of the people he'd watched get wiped out by Thanos suddenly return. He has an army of his own at his back. You can see his change from exhausted and defeated to ready to fight again. He's got a second wind and the phrase is less calling them to assemble and more telling himself that they ARE assembled and they've got a chance to win again.
I’m glad you commented! Super insightful and I love your points. Thanks for watching and commenting!
great video! thank you. Also your No Vacancy trailer looks great
Thank you so much for the comment! Can’t wait to release the entire film. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know!
It’ll be in theatres?
Best parts for me was his getaway after the missed shot and also the fight with the brute.
All the action! It was filmed really well.
Best explanation ever! Much appreciated the analogies to GOT. Thank you.
Awesome! Thank you so much!
very good explaint!
Awesome analysis of the film and, if the killer will die of radioactive facial necrosis, fuck, a bullet to the brain would be much better.
Seeing that you’ve sold 95% of your books on Amazon, and only 5% on IS, when IS makes your book available to over 40,000 retailers, .. is WILD… to say the least. Just goes to show the true power of Amazon.
I know, right! It’s insane… Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@HowStoriesWork in all honesty, do you believe IS is actually worth it?
Personally, not for me. I don’t see a good reason to use IS unless quality is a giant issue (many writers think it is, but the truth is their audience wouldn’t know the difference). And even then, the quality isn’t THAT much better. 🤷🏻♂️ The other scenario: You’re a writer with a big name and bookstores will stock your book. This is probably less than 1% of self-published writers.
Does anyone know why the killer didn't clean up the expert's body? The lawyer's secretary had to plead not to be hidden after death. I initially thought it was related to the prevailing notion of the partners' guilt, but all the waitress saw him at the restaurant.
This is an excellent question. I think the plot/character answer is that he’s so far off his mantra that he has become insanely sloppy. Whether or not that’s a fair thing for the character to do likely depends on the audience. I have a longer The Killer Explained video where I go in-depth on his character arc and why he’s getting so sloppy.
he mentions that her spouse will be the primary suspect im not sure but i think he's relying on the people in the restaurant assuming he is her partner and when she is found they will assume her partner did it and there wont be any dna evidence on her to prove otherwise (just my theory)
It is a good chanel,I dont mean to sound disrespectful,in fact i should'nt have assumed myself because ultimatly you could be righ. Im English,please excuse the short brashness. Keep the chanel going sir
Yeah,hitmen carry polonium around with them.he don't die,he retires.
He might live… you’re right, he CAN survive if he’s got an antidote. That’d be a cool way to start out a sequel.
In the future, please hit "SPACE" after comma...
New author 😅
I unfortunately couldnt fully pay attention to the movie so this analysis was SOOO helpful and makes me want to rewatch it
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
That is probably the simplest scene ever i love it
Jay sicario😂
LOL - I can neither confirm nor deny being one. (I’m definitely not one). 🤣🤣🤣
😹
I thought I was the only one who would think this way😂 I totally didn’t get the relaxing/humanizing aspect of the eye twitch! Great vid
Thanks, Joy! Thanks for watching and commenting!