Hey there Moonlighters!
One of the best ways you can improve your writing is by studying film.
It might seem counterintuitive. After all, movies are large, visual, collaborative, and cost millions to make – pretty much the opposite of sitting alone with your laptop.
Here's the thing: being a writer is all about cultivating your taste.
But how do you develop good taste? Sometimes the best insights come from looking at your craft through a completely different lens. Tarantino didn't become a genre-bending genius by attending prestigious film schools or following industry formulas.
He developed his revolutionary style by obsessively watching movies as a video store clerk, absorbing everything from Hong Kong action flicks to French New Wave cinema. That outside-the-box education gave him a perspective that changed Hollywood forever.
The advice for writers to study cinema comes from Cal Newport's book Slow Productivity. He recommends reading Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino as a starting point. So I did just that.
Today, we're going behind the camera with Quentin Tarantino to see how his cinematic principles can transform your genre fiction.
Action!
Lesson #1: It doesn't have to make sense but it does have to be fun.
Back in 2011, I remember watching the film Bullit starring Steve McQueen.
The only thing I can remember is the car chase scene, because it's so damn cool. I don't remember anything about the convoluted plot or the two-dimensional characters. But I remember that scene.
Here's the key thing to remember: readers will forgive any plot convenience if they're having a good time. Think about it – how often have you overlooked a logical gap in a story because you were too busy enjoying yourself?
Stop obsessing over making everything perfectly logical. Instead, focus on making each scene entertaining.
If readers are having fun, they'll follow you anywhere.
Lesson #2: You need to be fearless.
While studying Spanish In University, I was obsessed with the films of Pedro Almodóvar.
Pedro Almodóvar and Quentin Tarantino are two filmmakers who never apologize for their vision. I was delighted to learn that Tarantino looks up to Almodóvar. While Almodóvar tackles taboo subjects with bold colors and raw emotion. Tarantino cooks up non-linear timelines and gross-out genre blends.
What makes them successful? They commit fully to their creative choices, no matter how outrageous. They understand that half-measures are more dangerous than bold strokes.
Don't hedge, lean into your vision. That weird plot twist you're afraid to write? Write it.
Readers can sense when you're holding back, and nothing kills fun faster than timidity.
Lesson #3: If you wanna reach the public then give them what they want.
Tarantino doesn't just make movies for himself – he makes them for the audience. But (and this is crucial) he does it without compromising his creative vision.
Think about Kill Bill. It's a revenge story (something audiences love) told through a mashup of kung fu, spaghetti westerns, and anime. He gave people what they wanted, but in a way they never expected.
Another good example is Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson. It's a fantasy epic told through the Heist plot archetype, an unexpected archetype for the genre. He talks about it in his YouTube course.
Study what readers in your genre love, then find fresh ways to deliver it.
That's It! Here's What Happens Next...
The beautiful thing about studying film to improve is you're already doing half the work–you just need to start watching with a writer's eye. Next time you watch a movie, pay attention to how the director handles pacing, builds tension, and develops characters. These insights will seep into your writing in ways that might surprise you.
Remember, every story you consume–whether on page or screen–is an opportunity to refine your storytelling instincts. And sometimes, the best writing advice comes from outside the writing world entirely.
Bonus: My Top 5 Ranking of Pedro Almodóvar Films
All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre)
Talk to Her (Hable con ella)
Strange Way of Life
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Mujeres al borde de un ataque de "nervios")
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (Átame!)
Questions about applying these lessons to your work? Drop them in the comments below! I'd love to geek out about movies and writing with you. 🎬📚
P.S. It would really help the publication if you could share this edition with a friend.