Bad Movies Can Teach You a Lot About Good Writing

We want to learn from the best. But sometimes, we can learn from really bad writing. In particular, badly written movies!

RiffTrax and Mystery Science Theater 3000 have been riffing and making fun of bad movies for over thirty-five years now. As a big fan of both, I have watched almost four hundred episodes and soaked up the horrible writing. (And horrible acting, special effects, etc.)

So, here is a list of things I have learned, along with examples from the RiffTrax/MST3K collection.

Every scene should have purpose

Random scenes that don’t further the story or add to character development have no place in a story. We can’t throw in an event or character that serves no purpose or slows down the flow.

Examples:
Hellcats has a dancing scene that is not only bad, it adds nothing to story. (Except for the guys singing along with their own lyrics – “I am losing my dignity!”)
Lost Continent has a rock climbing scene that goes on and on and on.
Both scenes needed to go!

Plot needs to stay on track

Subplots can be woven into the main story but be sure they doesn’t stray so far from primary plot that readers forget or get confused. Keep focused on the path leading to the ending.

Example:
Birdemic has so many plots and things going on – driving scenes after driving scenes, stock options, dating this girl, the birdemic – which doesn’t even happen until halfway into the movie. This film is all over the map.
Make sure the main plot is the focus!

Edit for inconsistencies

Do characters change names or appearances? Do people appear when they should be somewhere else? Keep a detailed list of all characters and events to keep them straight.

Example:
In Space Mutiny, a woman dies and later appears in another scene.
Again, watch for those inconsistencies.

Eliminate factual errors

Details matter. Readers are savvy and will know when you haven’t done your research. Make sure to know the history, how things work, etc.

Examples:
In Bloodwaters of Dr. Z, the scientist develops a formula that can turn a person into a catfish-like creature. Yes, a catfish. Not possible! Even stretching the imagination.
In Werewolf, all it takes is a scratch to turn one into a werewolf. Granted, werewolves are made up, but pretty sure it takes a bite.

All actions need to make sense

Make sure when a character does something, he would really do that. Would a person in that position do that? And action scenes sometimes push reality, but it still has to come together and make sense logistically.

Example:
In Plan 9 From Outer Space, one of the deputies scratches his head with the barrel of his gun.
No law enforcement is that dumb!

Characters need to grow and change

Readers are invested in the main characters and they need to evolve over the course of the story. If they don’t change, if things just happen to them, it won’t matter how good the plot.

Example:
For this one, I going outside of my two sources. World War Z – Brad Pitt’s character is exactly the same from beginning to end. The zombies don’t change him one bit.
Characters must change, for better or worse!

Dialogue needs to be good and flow well

Reading dialogue out loud is a great way to catch clunky phrases or unnecessary repetition. Would a person really say that? If it sounds odd when you say it, chances are it is awkward.

Example:
In Cave Dwellers, most of the dialogue is awkward. From every character. The lines were obviously the first thing someone spouted off.
Polish that dialogue!

Understand your reader’s expectations

Every genre comes with standards. Elements readers expect. A story also has to unfold as it was initially described, not stray off into another area or genre altogether.

Example:
Gumby the Movie – the title alone should pull up visions of what to expect. Wrong! There is a really dark element to the film. Plus Gumby and Pokey were created by an alien. From there, it only gets weirder.
Cater to your audience – don’t alienate them.

Write what we love

Are you writing what you love or in a genre that you just know will make money? When the passion isn’t there, it will show on the pages.

Example:
Atlantic Rim was a blatant ripoff of Pacific Rim. And it shows – the movie is just awful. The writers just went for a cash grab.
Write for love not money!



There you have it! And if you don’t believe me, go ahead and watch those riffed movies. I dare you.

What have you learned from watching bad movies?