Trying to conceive tips for him
Male fertility: 10 tips for men trying to conceive
(Image credit: Getty Images)Are you and your partner figuring out how to get pregnant? Although a woman will be the one who technically gets pregnant, and carries and delivers the baby, a man also has a crucial role. For fertilization to occur, his sperm must be healthy and strong to reach and penetrate the woman's egg.
To make fertilization happen, a man must be able to have and keep an erection, have enough sperm that are the right shape and move in the right way, and have enough semen to carry the sperm to the egg, according to the Mayo Clinic . A problem in any step in this process, including male fertility, can prevent pregnancy.
A variety of factors, from genetics and lifestyle to environmental exposures and hormones, can affect a man's fertility, so it's difficult to isolate the exact cause for infertility, according to Dr. Jared Robins, chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Northwestern Medicine's Fertility and Reproductive Medicine in Chicago. Nonetheless, doctors identify the cause of problems in about 80 percent of infertile couples, Robins noted. When there is a known cause of infertility, problems in the male partner tend to account for about 40 percent of infertile couples, he said. But there are many steps that men can take to enhance their health, lifestyle and relationship to increase a couple's chances of conceiving. Here are 10 tips for men who want to improve their fertility.
1. Lose extra pounds
Losing weight can improve sperm quality. (Image credit: Getty Images)Studies have suggested that couples in which the man is overweight or obese take longer to conceive than couples with no weight problems. Research has also indicated that being overweight or obese affects a man's sperm quality, reducing sperm counts and decreasing their ability to swim, as well as increasing damage to genetic material (DNA) in sperm, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine .
A 2012 study found that overweight and obese men were more likely to have low sperm counts or a lack of viable sperm compared with normal-weight men, possibly making it harder for these men to father a child.
The researchers suspected that too much body fat was linked with changes in testosterone and other reproductive hormone levels in men.
2. Get health conditions under control
Effectively managing chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, may improve a man's chances of getting his partner pregnant, suggests The World Journal of Men’s Health . Other medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum that cause overheating), may also affect male fertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . In addition, some medications used to treat high blood pressure (beta blockers), depression and anxiety (SSRIs), pain (long-term opiates), and an enlarged prostate (finasteride), could have a negative influence on fertility, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Supplemental testosterone can also decrease sperm production. Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments for cancer can cause permanent infertility, according to the Mayo Clinic .
A man should speak to his doctor about medication he is taking and whether it might interfere with his ability to father a child.
3. Eat healthy foods
Antioxidants and fiber can improve male fertility. (Image credit: Getty Images)"The role of diet in male fertility is unclear," Robins told Live Science. Even though the science may be inconclusive, it still makes sense for men to eat a variety of healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of antioxidants that may help to produce healthy sperm. Men should also consume fiber-rich foods, healthy monounsaturated fats, and moderate amounts of lean protein.
Robins said men frequently ask him whether drinking soda can decrease their sperm counts. He tells them there's no good evidence that caffeine in soda affects men's fertility, and there's little evidence that caffeine in coffee, tea and energy drinks is linked with fertility problems in men.
4. Get regular physical activity
Robins said he encourages men to get regular exercise because it helps reduce stress, makes men feel better about themselves and benefits their long-term health.
While being physically active is beneficial, according to a 2014 study, published in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine , those who have a strenuous training schedule and regularly participate in endurance events may impact their levels of luteinising hormone and testosterone, impacting fertility.
Related articles
Researchers have also looked at whether bike riding can affect sperm because the sport involves long periods of sitting in a position that increases scrotal temperatures as well as bouncing and vibrations that could cause trauma to the testicles. A few studies have suggested that long-distance truck drivers may also have more fertility problems for similar reasons as avid male cyclists.
One study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility , found that men who attended fertility clinics and who reported they cycled for at least five hours a week were more likely to have low sperm counts and poor sperm motility compared to men who did other forms of exercise.
However, there's little data on whether or not cycling actually impacts sperm function, Robins said.
5. Increase vitamin intake
Some vitamins may improve sperm quality. (Image credit: Getty Images)Robins tends to recommend that men take a daily multivitamin. "There is little likelihood of harm and some potential benefits," he said. Many multivitamin formulations for men might include antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and the minerals selenium and zinc. Some research has found that antioxidants may cause a slight increase in sperm count and movement, according to The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It makes sense that antioxidants may improve sperm quality because they can protect against free radicals, which can cause damage to DNA within sperm cells, Robins said.
6. Be conscious of age-related fertility changes
Similarly to women, men have a ticking biological clock, but they experience fertility declines later in life than women do, according to a 2020 article by the BBC .
Research shows that as a man gets older, both the volume and quality of his semen tend to diminish. As men get older, there is also a falloff in the number of healthy sperm and their movement, and they can also have more DNA damage in their sperm.
These changes could mean it might take longer for a couple to conceive. With age, there is also a greater risk for genetic abnormalities in their sperm. Random mutations in a man's sperm can pile up as the years go by, making older fathers more likely to pass on more genetic mutations to a child.
7. Stop smoking
Smoking can impact sperm quality. (Image credit: Getty Images)Smoking is linked with reduced sperm quality: Male smokers are more likely to have low sperm counts and decreased sperm movement, and they have higher numbers of abnormally-shaped sperm, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine .
Marijuana and other recreational drug use, including anabolic steroids for bodybuilding, should also be avoided because some studies suggest they may also negatively impact sperm production, Robins said.
8. Boxers or briefs?
"This is everyone's favorite question," Robins said. But there's not a lot of science to suggest that switching from briefs to boxers improves a couple's chances of getting pregnant. Although a man's underwear choice may affect his scrotal temperature and reduce sperm quality, most studies have demonstrated no real difference between boxers and briefs in terms of their impact on male fertility, Robins said.
A 2016 study found that it really didn't make much difference whether men wore boxers or briefs or went commando on a couple's ability to conceive or on a man's semen quality, suggesting that it's best for men to wear whatever feels most comfortable to them when a couple wants to have a baby.
9. Beware of the heat
Heat can temporarily lower sperm numbers (Image credit: Getty Images)Frequent visits to and long stays in hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms could increase scrotal temperatures, which may decrease sperm counts and sperm quality.
But this heat exposure does not have a permanent impact on sperm, Robins said. Reduced sperm counts may only be temporary and could return to normal in a few months once a man stops going into a hot tub or sauna.
A 2011 study about men using laptops received plenty of media coverage when it reported that men who placed the computers on their laps may be more likely to have damaged sperm and decreased sperm motility. But these conclusions were "jumping the gun," Robins said. It's unclear how much time the men spent with the laptop in close proximity to their testicles, he explained, and it's also unclear whether the effects may have been caused by heat or if they resulted from radiation due to the use of a wireless connection.
10. Know when to get help
Infertility is defined as the inability of a sexually active couple who are not using birth control to get pregnant after one year of trying, according to The American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Robins said he tells couples that a woman who is under the age of 35 and her partner should try to become pregnant for one year without success before seeking an infertility evaluation. For women who are 35 or older, the time before seeing an infertility specialist shortens to 6 months in couples who are having sex regularly without using birth control, he noted.
Additional resources
For more information about how to improve male fertility and how to get help, head to the U.K. National Health Service website . You can read about male reproduction in more detail in the Encyclopedia of Reproduction .
Bibliography
"Hypertension and Male Fertility". The World Journal of Men's Health (2017). https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1088840
"The Impact of an Ultramarathon on Hormonal and Biochemical Parameters in Men". Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (2014). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1080603214001021
"Physical activity and semen quality among men attending an infertility clinic".
Fertility and Sterility (2011). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0015028210027767
"Smoking and Infertility". The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. https://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/asrm/asrm-content/learning--resources/patient-resources/protect-your-fertility3/smoking_infertility.pdf
This article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to offer medical advice.
Ailsa is a staff writer for How It Works magazine, where she writes science, technology, history, space and environment features. Based in the U.K., she graduated from the University of Stirling with a BA (Hons) journalism degree. Previously, Ailsa has written for Cardiff Times magazine, Psychology Now and numerous science bookazines. Ailsa's interest in the environment also lies outside of writing, as she has worked alongside Operation Wallacea conducting rainforest and ocean conservation research.
Male fertility: 10 tips for men trying to conceive
(Image credit: Getty Images)Are you and your partner figuring out how to get pregnant? Although a woman will be the one who technically gets pregnant, and carries and delivers the baby, a man also has a crucial role.
For fertilization to occur, his sperm must be healthy and strong to reach and penetrate the woman's egg.
To make fertilization happen, a man must be able to have and keep an erection, have enough sperm that are the right shape and move in the right way, and have enough semen to carry the sperm to the egg, according to the Mayo Clinic . A problem in any step in this process, including male fertility, can prevent pregnancy.
A variety of factors, from genetics and lifestyle to environmental exposures and hormones, can affect a man's fertility, so it's difficult to isolate the exact cause for infertility, according to Dr. Jared Robins, chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Northwestern Medicine's Fertility and Reproductive Medicine in Chicago. Nonetheless, doctors identify the cause of problems in about 80 percent of infertile couples, Robins noted. When there is a known cause of infertility, problems in the male partner tend to account for about 40 percent of infertile couples, he said.
But there are many steps that men can take to enhance their health, lifestyle and relationship to increase a couple's chances of conceiving. Here are 10 tips for men who want to improve their fertility.
1. Lose extra pounds
Losing weight can improve sperm quality. (Image credit: Getty Images)Studies have suggested that couples in which the man is overweight or obese take longer to conceive than couples with no weight problems. Research has also indicated that being overweight or obese affects a man's sperm quality, reducing sperm counts and decreasing their ability to swim, as well as increasing damage to genetic material (DNA) in sperm, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine .
A 2012 study found that overweight and obese men were more likely to have low sperm counts or a lack of viable sperm compared with normal-weight men, possibly making it harder for these men to father a child. The researchers suspected that too much body fat was linked with changes in testosterone and other reproductive hormone levels in men.
2. Get health conditions under control
Effectively managing chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, may improve a man's chances of getting his partner pregnant, suggests The World Journal of Men’s Health . Other medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum that cause overheating), may also affect male fertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . In addition, some medications used to treat high blood pressure (beta blockers), depression and anxiety (SSRIs), pain (long-term opiates), and an enlarged prostate (finasteride), could have a negative influence on fertility, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Supplemental testosterone can also decrease sperm production. Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments for cancer can cause permanent infertility, according to the Mayo Clinic . A man should speak to his doctor about medication he is taking and whether it might interfere with his ability to father a child.
3. Eat healthy foods
Antioxidants and fiber can improve male fertility. (Image credit: Getty Images)"The role of diet in male fertility is unclear," Robins told Live Science. Even though the science may be inconclusive, it still makes sense for men to eat a variety of healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of antioxidants that may help to produce healthy sperm. Men should also consume fiber-rich foods, healthy monounsaturated fats, and moderate amounts of lean protein.
Robins said men frequently ask him whether drinking soda can decrease their sperm counts. He tells them there's no good evidence that caffeine in soda affects men's fertility, and there's little evidence that caffeine in coffee, tea and energy drinks is linked with fertility problems in men.
4. Get regular physical activity
Robins said he encourages men to get regular exercise because it helps reduce stress, makes men feel better about themselves and benefits their long-term health.
While being physically active is beneficial, according to a 2014 study, published in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine , those who have a strenuous training schedule and regularly participate in endurance events may impact their levels of luteinising hormone and testosterone, impacting fertility.
Related articles
Researchers have also looked at whether bike riding can affect sperm because the sport involves long periods of sitting in a position that increases scrotal temperatures as well as bouncing and vibrations that could cause trauma to the testicles. A few studies have suggested that long-distance truck drivers may also have more fertility problems for similar reasons as avid male cyclists.
One study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility , found that men who attended fertility clinics and who reported they cycled for at least five hours a week were more likely to have low sperm counts and poor sperm motility compared to men who did other forms of exercise.
However, there's little data on whether or not cycling actually impacts sperm function, Robins said.
5. Increase vitamin intake
Some vitamins may improve sperm quality. (Image credit: Getty Images)Robins tends to recommend that men take a daily multivitamin. "There is little likelihood of harm and some potential benefits," he said. Many multivitamin formulations for men might include antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and the minerals selenium and zinc. Some research has found that antioxidants may cause a slight increase in sperm count and movement, according to The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It makes sense that antioxidants may improve sperm quality because they can protect against free radicals, which can cause damage to DNA within sperm cells, Robins said.
6. Be conscious of age-related fertility changes
Similarly to women, men have a ticking biological clock, but they experience fertility declines later in life than women do, according to a 2020 article by the BBC .
Research shows that as a man gets older, both the volume and quality of his semen tend to diminish. As men get older, there is also a falloff in the number of healthy sperm and their movement, and they can also have more DNA damage in their sperm.
These changes could mean it might take longer for a couple to conceive. With age, there is also a greater risk for genetic abnormalities in their sperm. Random mutations in a man's sperm can pile up as the years go by, making older fathers more likely to pass on more genetic mutations to a child.
7. Stop smoking
Smoking can impact sperm quality. (Image credit: Getty Images)Smoking is linked with reduced sperm quality: Male smokers are more likely to have low sperm counts and decreased sperm movement, and they have higher numbers of abnormally-shaped sperm, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine .
Marijuana and other recreational drug use, including anabolic steroids for bodybuilding, should also be avoided because some studies suggest they may also negatively impact sperm production, Robins said.
8. Boxers or briefs?
"This is everyone's favorite question," Robins said. But there's not a lot of science to suggest that switching from briefs to boxers improves a couple's chances of getting pregnant. Although a man's underwear choice may affect his scrotal temperature and reduce sperm quality, most studies have demonstrated no real difference between boxers and briefs in terms of their impact on male fertility, Robins said.
A 2016 study found that it really didn't make much difference whether men wore boxers or briefs or went commando on a couple's ability to conceive or on a man's semen quality, suggesting that it's best for men to wear whatever feels most comfortable to them when a couple wants to have a baby.
9. Beware of the heat
Heat can temporarily lower sperm numbers (Image credit: Getty Images)Frequent visits to and long stays in hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms could increase scrotal temperatures, which may decrease sperm counts and sperm quality.
But this heat exposure does not have a permanent impact on sperm, Robins said. Reduced sperm counts may only be temporary and could return to normal in a few months once a man stops going into a hot tub or sauna.
A 2011 study about men using laptops received plenty of media coverage when it reported that men who placed the computers on their laps may be more likely to have damaged sperm and decreased sperm motility. But these conclusions were "jumping the gun," Robins said. It's unclear how much time the men spent with the laptop in close proximity to their testicles, he explained, and it's also unclear whether the effects may have been caused by heat or if they resulted from radiation due to the use of a wireless connection.
10. Know when to get help
Infertility is defined as the inability of a sexually active couple who are not using birth control to get pregnant after one year of trying, according to The American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Robins said he tells couples that a woman who is under the age of 35 and her partner should try to become pregnant for one year without success before seeking an infertility evaluation. For women who are 35 or older, the time before seeing an infertility specialist shortens to 6 months in couples who are having sex regularly without using birth control, he noted.
Additional resources
For more information about how to improve male fertility and how to get help, head to the U.K. National Health Service website . You can read about male reproduction in more detail in the Encyclopedia of Reproduction .
Bibliography
"Hypertension and Male Fertility". The World Journal of Men's Health (2017). https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1088840
"The Impact of an Ultramarathon on Hormonal and Biochemical Parameters in Men". Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (2014). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1080603214001021
"Physical activity and semen quality among men attending an infertility clinic".
Fertility and Sterility (2011). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0015028210027767
"Smoking and Infertility". The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. https://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/asrm/asrm-content/learning--resources/patient-resources/protect-your-fertility3/smoking_infertility.pdf
This article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to offer medical advice.
Ailsa is a staff writer for How It Works magazine, where she writes science, technology, history, space and environment features. Based in the U.K., she graduated from the University of Stirling with a BA (Hons) journalism degree. Previously, Ailsa has written for Cardiff Times magazine, Psychology Now and numerous science bookazines. Ailsa's interest in the environment also lies outside of writing, as she has worked alongside Operation Wallacea conducting rainforest and ocean conservation research.
6 ways to improve creativity
Tools
How to stimulate creativity in the work process
Inc has collected tips on how to do this more efficiently.
Learn through collaboration
Andrew Yong, formerly of Google and now Baidu, doesn't believe that innovation comes from unpredictable bursts of genius. According to him, you can become more creative and innovative by working on it systematically. nine0003
“In my life, I found that whenever I wasn't sure what to do next, I studied a lot, read, talked to experts. I don't know how the human brain works, but it's almost magical: when you read or talk to enough experts, when you have enough information, new ideas start to emerge."
Do nothing
Alan Cohen once wrote: “There is virtue both in work and in rest. Use both." nine0003
Sometimes your best ideas come when you're not racking your brains trying to come up with the next great idea.
It may even be in a dream. A good rest will help you be more productive and creative.
Perhaps your next innovative idea will come while you are exercising, traveling, shopping, sitting on a plane or watching the sunset.
Go out and do what you love
The average person sits between 7 and 15 hours every day. nine0003
It's terrible for your health and your mood, which means it can be terrible for your creativity.
Research has shown that walking improves creative thinking. And people who walk a lot are more creative and active.
- Most often, creative burnout happens twice a year, in the middle of summer and at the end of the year, this is due to the cyclical nature of work. This happens year after year, so I always plan a very active life outside of work for this period in advance , - says Ksenia Kalina, project manager of the Creative Europe project in Ukraine.
Ksenia Kalina, project manager of the Creative Europe project in Ukraine
Therefore, she meets friends every day at that time, goes to the theater / cinema, attends professional events or master classes, completely unrelated to the professional field.
On weekends, she tries to spend as much time as possible in nature and with physical activities, to read a lot of fiction. nine0003
- If today you are "not rushing", and there is no deadline, then you can give yourself more time to "shoot" , - advises Toma Lazarenko, co-founder of Creative Management Camp, organizer of "Cultural Networking".
Toma Lazarenko, co-founder of Creative Management Camp, organizer of "Cultural Networking", Frontier VR Art Festival PR manager
If there are no ideas, she allows herself to switch to reading interesting articles, case studies, interviews, videos on similar topics, and ideas begin to emerge. nine0003
Also in a letter to his son, Albert Einstein spoke of an interest in playing the piano that could be applied to restart the creative process.
Love and creativity are interconnected. Hobbies like playing a musical instrument, running, or collecting memorabilia can help you relax and manage stress while stimulating your creativity.
Program the right mood
Lack of ideas or inability to solve a problem can be extremely frustrating. If you don't like sitting in complete silence, music can lift your spirits and boost your creativity. nine0003
For example, Steve Jobs used music to change his mood and keep his creativity going. This might work for you too.
Ask for advice or feedback
Sometimes it is very difficult to find a creative solution on your own.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Ask friends or people you trust for help. Each person has a unique set of skills, experiences and knowledge. nine0003
Even if you don't take their advice, it can reset your thinking.
Come up with a terrible idea
Move away from the idea you are stuck on, even if only for a few minutes.
What is the most useless idea you can imagine? Make a list of the worst ideas you can think of.
Now you have to think what are the best features of this terrible idea.
Perhaps you can fit this feature into your good idea. nine0003
What if there is no time for walking and reading inspiring books?
- Sometimes you don't have the next day, you have to do it quickly, otherwise the project may just “fail”. Then it helps to ping-pong ideas with colleagues or with those who know the topic better than you.
Sometimes it's important to figure out if you're veiling a lack of ideas with banal procrastination. It is also important for restoring creativity. But it is not necessary to make the "procrastination - work - procrastination - work" scheme a common practice. The brain will choose procrastination next time, it loves such things with us. Therefore, even on vacation, I do not allow myself to completely fall out of the work process, so that laziness does not completely captivate. This is how I deceive her. Then constant activity stimulates, like a regular workout.
If there are no ideas right here and now, I just start to explore this topic in all possible sources, or, on the contrary, switch to a topic that is far from the right one. Often the lack of ideas is a lack of knowledge of the topic or, conversely, the inability to look at the topic again , - says Toma Lazarenko.
7 tips from Toma Lazarenko and Ksenia Kalina on how to stimulate creativity for creative people
- Learn to switch to something in your work that you previously put off. For example, help develop a technical task or write an article for the first time. This greatly expands the competence. Or go to a project you've wanted to work on for a long time. The new always inspires us, and inspiration automatically turns on the creative component. Challenges for you, as a specialist, can also help return the thirst for creativity. nine0116
- "Spy" on colleagues or competitors. This allows you to do it differently and differently.
- Communicate with colleagues, attend professional events.
I am always very "turned on" by communicating with like-minded people, the stories of others and understanding what various creative people do, what they create and what motivates them. - Energize other people. Creative sharing, brainstorming, common cause, even learning together should help.
- Keep learning. This is something we never have enough time for. But it is essential for our brain. It's like firewood that you throw into the firebox. nine0116
- Get out of your comfort zone!
- Ask questions. Doubt everything.
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How to come up with an interesting plot
Any story consists of two components - plot and plot.
The plot is what happened. And the plot is how and in what sequence you tell what happened. nine0003
The plot of the story may be told in the wrong chronological order, moving between characters and locations.
If you're taking on the first scenario, it's best to start with a classic story in which each scene builds on the previous one. As you know, in order to break the rules, you must first master them. Below are a few simple and basic rules on how to come up with an interesting plot.
You can come up with a huge number of plots and dramatic situations, someone even tried to find the most frequent of them, they are collected, for example, in Georges Polti's book "36 Dramatic Situations". But we will talk about how to prepare the ground for these situations to develop as interestingly as possible. nine0003
- Material
First of all, a good story needs good material and deep research of the topic. Where is the action taking place? What is this environment? What kind of people or creatures inhabit it?
You need to master everything that is connected with the story, first of all, the setting in which you are going to immerse the viewer and everything that concerns the life of your hero.
- Heroes
A good story is impossible without interesting characters and heroes. In order for them to be interesting, you have to somehow find what connects you with the characters. Look for what you emotionally understand in them: motives, fears, feelings, and so on. Or connect the hero with someone you know well. Such a connection is important in order to be able to transform into your characters, thinking through their reactions and actions. nine0003
- Format
The next important thing to decide is genre and format. By format, we mean a TV series or feature length. Depending on what you are creating a story for, it will develop in different ways.
Well, it hardly needs to be said that the genre shapes how your story will develop and needs to be defined at the very beginning.
- The main character finds a purpose
The main character has a problem - external or internal.
A goal grows out of it, and the plot is built around the hero's path to this goal. nine0003
Once you've decided on the problem, goal, and motivation, start thinking about the obstacles the hero must overcome in order to solve the problem.
- The main character solves problems
It should be interesting for the viewer to watch the story, to analyze how exactly the hero goes to achieve his goal, what attempts he makes, how he loses and what he does when he fails. If, in order to achieve the goal, the hero only needs to make a couple of phone calls, it is unlikely that the viewer will go to the cinema to watch it. nine0003
By the way, the viewer likes stories with a note *based on real events*, because the most interesting thing is the peeping effect, the safe observation of something that one would like to see with one's own eyes.
- Hero against all
The antagonist or antagonistic forces also need to be correctly assessed.
How much stronger are they than the main character?
On the one hand, they should act as an insurmountable obstacle, and on the other hand, it is important that the final battle between the antagonist and the hero is not obvious or far-fetched. nine0003
- The hero's inner world
What attitudes and psychological problems prevent the main character from solving the problem and achieving the goal? Are there psychological traumas and attitudes, feelings and emotions, internal flaws and clamps?
All this must be consistent with the situations in which the hero finds himself and the decisions he makes. Decisions should be natural and logical: since the hero is shy, it is logical that he will not run first to dance on the dance floor. nine0003
- The perfect hero
An interesting plot is not the same as a perfect plot. If your hero is super-super-superman and the best in both his personal life and physically, as well as in terms of moral principles, then he is simply not interesting to watch.
This does not allow us to empathize with the hero, or root for him, or feel tension in a conflict situation. Because he looks fake, unlike us, because there are no ideal people.
- Changes
It is important that under the influence of history the hero changes and develops. This can be shown through the manifestation of character, through actions: the weak finds strength in himself, the coward - courage, the modest struggles with constraint, etc.
The screenwriter's task is to put into the story something that will help the hero to manifest and develop himself. Do something he hasn't done before.
- Conflict
If there is no conflict, there is essentially nothing for the viewer to follow. The main conflict is a borderline state, when the situation that happens to the hero gets the maximum development. Thanks to this, the tension builds up and the plot moves towards a climax, in which we reach the peak of the conflict.
nine0003
- Causality
In every good story, one event must follow from another. The main thing is that the hero develops a causal relationship. It is he who should push the action and move the plot. If there is a piece in your script that, if you remove it, you will see that nothing will change, remove it.
- Bits
Each scene must have at least one turn. This is called a beat - the moment at which the hero performs an action, receives new information, or some circumstances change. That is, something that moves the story, makes it more difficult, should appear in each scene. nine0003
- Location
Unusual locations will help make your story more interesting. They will add cinematography to the project, which means they will increase the marketing potential of the story. Agree, it’s one thing when the dialogue takes place in a restaurant, another thing is on the roof of the house, for example.
Scenes work differently in different circumstances.
But since it is not always possible to greatly increase the budget with expensive locations such as airplanes, islands and yachts, be creative, write down some interesting, unexpected places for your scenes from those available for budget shooting, and try to see how they will be work there. nine0003
- References
An analysis of other projects will help you come up with interesting scenes. Write down the most striking scenes from the films you have watched, make a list of locations and techniques used in them. Try these situations on your scenario, on the situation that you came up with by changing some parameters: the number of people, location, gender of the characters, and so on.
- Dynamic
Follow the rule: start late and finish early. Learn to write every scene as close to the beat as possible, and don't get carried away with exposition and description where it doesn't affect the plot.
Get straight to the point and the script will become more dynamic. nine0003
- Information
The real art of the storyteller lies in the ability to deceive the viewer's expectations without disappointing him, but intriguing him. When the viewer subconsciously feels that he is being deceived, trust is lost and he becomes bored. Play with the viewer: where he can feel deceit, do not deceive, and where there is a feeling that everything is as usual, do a feint with your ears.
- Feedback
It is important to tell your story, scenes, and ideas out loud to someone. It’s not even necessary for a professional, because speaking out loud, you will understand what is illogical, where you stumble, what is drawn out, and what, on the contrary, needs to be explained. You will be able to formulate some things more competently, finish off some ideas. Perhaps the one who listens to you will also give you interesting advice or information.
And by his reaction, you will understand how much you managed to interest someone else with your story. nine0003
- Sequence
If you can't start for a long time, try to forget that there should be any sequence in the story. Type in a variety of dialogues, lines, openings, denouements, options for conflicts and scenes that could happen in the story. So you get moving, you can partially see your story and everything will go faster, and these sketches will serve as a guide for you when you start building the skeleton of the story, some of this will not be used, but you will have something to build on. nine0003
- Visuals
A very important rule in cinema is to show, not tell. Consider any information in the first place in the context of the visual series. Think about how best to convey it through actions and events, and only then, if you don’t find a solution, through text. The viewer wants evidence, which means to see for himself what is happening and how, he wants to draw conclusions himself based on what he saw, and not trust someone's words.
- Originality
Your stories will become extraordinary when you understand how each rule of dramaturgy works. Only then can you consciously experiment.
- Fullness
Read articles that may not even be related to your script, but through which you will learn something new. For example, Wikipedia has a section called "random article" and if you look into it regularly, you can find a lot of interesting things that you wouldn't consciously google, but that will definitely expand your understanding of the world. And what expands our understanding of the world is what inspires. nine0003
To understand how to come up with an interesting plot, it is important to understand how you yourself look at the world, how you understand and feel it.
The script is 80% rewriting of history, it is a deep study of the topic, qualitative research and the search for creative solutions. The main thing is that creativity and originality should be justified and move the story forward, and not turn it into the ravings of a madman.
