[Richard Ell]

Rick chose ARGO (2012) film

TONY MENDEZ is the hero….his mission, is ‘extract’ 6 Americans who are hiding out in Canadian ambassador to Iran’s home in Tehran, during 1979 Revolution.

VILLAIN? Hard to pin down to just one character. The nemesis are the Revolutionary Guard who want to put Americans on trial for supporting the Shah since 1953 coup.

SUSPENSE BUILDS throughout the film. MENDEZ comes up with a scheme from a production company in HOLLYWOOD…to use a ‘fake’ film…ARGO….a supposed sci-fi fare…and have the 6 Americans ‘pose’ as members of a preliminary scene crew surveying Tehran.

And, one thing after another, goes wrong. The best Farsi language (Iran speak) of the 6, don’t even want to participate…too ‘hair brained’ for him, initially. Another tense moment, in a bazaar they almost start a riot and are nearly ‘discovered’.

Worse, is the Carter Administration, at last moment, decides to CANCEL the project.

TONY MENDEZ, disobeys orders, and continues on with plan, NOT letting the 6 even know they might NOT get the airline tickets to ‘get outta Dodge City’.

I won’t be a SPOILER and divulge more….

BUT the ‘wheels up’ scene really engages the audience in a sigh of relief.

THINGS I LEARNED….keep throwing OBSTACLES in the way of Protagonist. Can be humans, monsters, bad weather, a credit card foul-up so something isn’t purchased at right moment…but, keep the suspense level up….stay on the Roller Coaster Ride and engage the audience. Keep surprising them….or they’ll leave. MOVIES are a BUSINESS….Netflix went to the whipping post last week because of OVER SPENDING on mostly….bombs.

Writers beware.

[Richard Ell]

Rick (1)

2 (2)

Want to put more intrigue into my writing….gotta keep ’em hooked throughout….especially first 3 – 5 pages (3)

Been a lotta of places, situations….Huge Experience base. Now, how to ‘cash it in’??? (4)

[Richard Ell]

yes