When weâre deciding how we want to live our lives, or how our work will exist out in the world, the first choice (aka, the Most Obvious Choice) we make is⌠fine, but not always the most interesting one⌠the one that gives us goosebumps and excitement.
And isnât interesting what makes life and the tiny bets we experiment with fun?
Note: from here on out, Most Obvious Choice will be referred to as MOB for âMost Obâ because itâs shorter and also fun. And yes, it's not the perfect acronym but welcome to my brain. đ
I took a horror screenwriting class during the pandemic⌠because what better way to spend quarantine than learning how to write creepy and murderous scenarios with a group of strangers, right?
It was taught by a successful screenwriter with a few horror films under his belt, and a guest class by C. Robert Cargill â the writer of the Sinister films and the upcoming The Black Phone movie. We spent a lot of time talking about how to best kill off characters, horrify people and weave underlying tension throughout your script.
(Donât worry, you donât need to be in the film industry for this email to make sense)
As we went through class, we were tasked with something simple: Every time you have a dark thought, write it down. Keep a tiny pocket sized notebook with you. Never, under any circumstances, share what you wrote in your sacred notebook full of weird shit. You need to do this without judgement, cause some *strange* things come out when you start doing this exercise.
Did you think about someone finding your notebook and feel second hand embarrassment too? See, Iâm sure most of us did because it was obvious. :D
Thereâs a twofold reason for this:
1. To get yourself used to bringing the dark thoughts in your head out. Thereâs a natural barrier we experience when wanting to write something down for fear of someone seeing it and judging us.
2. To give you fodder for unsettling or terrifying things to consider sprinkling into your film. These are little fire starting seeds,but are usually the MOB <â More on that momentarily.
Something happens when you write horror. You realize how many gates, walls, doors and barriers are blocking your subconscious from making INTERESTING choices â from reaching real deep down to whatâs hiding out in the basement.
So, you've been doing this exercise for a while and now youâre onto the exciting part. Youâre writing, and your character is about to experience an unreal and terrifying situation. You write down something you think is masterful and tap your fingers together like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons.
âTheyâll never see this coming!â
Except, this is the MOB and I hate to break it to you, but the audience probably will see it coming.
Why?
Your first choice â the Most Obvious Choice â is still very inhibited. It usually comes from something you know or a place that feels kinda safe. Itâs surface level.
Yes, even if itâs something you think sounds unhinged for a horror film where someone ultimately is about to die. The MOB isnât punishing enough for the character(s).
This is why everyone knows the person wandering off by themselves will die (especially the not-so-smart one) the most unassuming friend will save everyone, and when itâs eerily still and someone is turning a corner, there will be a jump scare.
Itâs the MOB all over the place.
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The job of a screenwriter is to weave together a beautiful, compelling story (or terrifying in this case) with enough cohesion that you can follow the story, but enough twists, turns and unexpected moments that youâre on the edge of your seat.Â
So you think of a second choice, and a third choice, and a fourth choice. Usually your third or fourth choice works, but sometimes you have to keep going.
Eventually, you settle on something that will (hopefully) surprise and shock your audience because they wonât expect it either.
Itâs why films like Midsommer or Hereditary stick with you and get under your skin. Especially ~that scene.~
So wtf does this have to do with anything other than screenwriting?
When it comes to life or creative work, we tend to run with the MOB. We love to do things ârightâ and so our Most Obvious Choice also tends to be the safest. The most acceptable. The most âthis isnât too left field so I wonât stand outâ kinda choice.
But what if you dug a few layers deeper? What could that creative or life choice look like if it wasnât the first option? What if you made a tiny bet on yourself and tried the more interesting route for what it is youâre doing, or how youâre living?
From how you structure your day, to how you market your business, to how you get visibility on your art⌠it can be applied anywhere. Go for interesting. Go for surprising. Go for unique.
Thatâs how you differentiate yourself from the MOB and stand out.
Cheers to tiny bets,
Sel
tiny bets are all the small things you do that stack up over time to craft a reality you love. These memos are a mix of woo, science, philosophy, and thought experiments to help you feel inspired to show up for yourself and your work daily.
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