Truby's Blockbuster

A longtime player in the story development software field, Truby’s Blockbuster is based on a user interface that purports to teach the craft of storytelling as you write your screenplay. It’s designed to show you structural weaknesses in your script and take you through the ideal order for fixing them.

Who’s it for: Screenwriters seeking specific guidance through the storytelling process.

The Good: An ideal blend of screenwriting guidance along with the capacity for independent story development. The one-of-a-kind ability to add on software templates specific to your chosen genre.

The Bad: The program has a learning curve, and the layout leaves a bit to be desired. Buying all of the genres add-ons can get expensive.

Essential extras: A PC or Mac computer that meets the following requirements: Windows 2000, XP or Vista
Intel Macs: Use Windows BB5 w/Boot Camp (free download from Apple) or Parallels Desktop and Windows XP or Vista
16 MB RAM; 35 MB HD free disk space
An internet connection is helpful but not required.

The Bottom Line: This program is invaluable to screenwriters. As with any writing program, the more you work with it, the more you’ll get out of it. Regardless of your writing experience level, Blockbuster has the ability to grow with you, and is highly recommended.

Installation: Once you’ve put the CD-ROM in the drive the program starts to install automatically. The user-friendly installation wizard makes set up a breeze for even the least experienced of computer users.

Interface and ease of use: While the Blockbuster interface will not win any awards for design, what it lacks in graphical interest, it makes up for in content. Once you understand the principles of the program, using it becomes second nature.

Accomplishing the Task:
Upon opening the program, you are presented with 4 general storytelling categories that are then further broken down into headings as so:
Brainstorm: Wish List and Premise
Character: List, Web, World
Plot: Structure, Genres
Scene: Scene List, Weave, and Rewrite

The basis of the program is John Truby’s theory that a great story is a complex weave of a hero and his opponents competing for the same goal. And in that process, the hero undergoes a deeper change that may, in fact, have nothing to do with the goal. Once these elements are put into play in a story, his 22-step process breaks the complex story-weave down into its threads so you can create the exact story tapestry you desire.

Blockbuster uses a query format to produce detailed reports including synopsis, summaries, character profiles, plot notes, and lists of settings and characters. As you go in depth with the program, you begin to develop theme and tone to help you create depth to your work.

Another plus for the program is the genre add-ons. Blockbuster is the only screenwriting program of its kind to truly focus on writing for specific genres. For example, the Thriller genre add-on gives you a detailed map, so you can see exactly how to hit the thriller story beats for maximum plot in minimum space, and how to create the unique thriller hero, which is distinctly different from the hero of a Detective story. You’re also shown how to avoid thriller genre issues and are given keys for transcending the typical thriller to result in a real nail-biter. One drawback is that with 13 genres to choose from, the price of these add-ons can get a bit steep. Each genre add-on costs another $99, or you can get the whole set for the packaged rate of $999.

Notable Features: The Coach Section alone is worth the price of the program, and is like having John Truby himself beside you, breaking down the structure of such classics as A Streetcar Named Desire, Star Wars, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Also particularly helpful is the tabbed format utilized in Blockbuster, which allows you to toggle between any of the areas as you work on your story. Say you’re working in the Plot Structure area and a great piece of dialogue suddenly comes to you, but you’re not sure where to use it. Simply click over to the Wish List tab and make a note of it!

Documentation and Product Support:
It is not recommended to try to get to work on Blockbuster without first taking the tour (prompted when you open the program) or at least flipping through the manual. However, the help section is extremely thorough and is easily accessed while using the program. Truby’s website is also filled to the brim with help, including valuable analyses of current films. Truby.com also makes it easy to find contact information for technical support.

StoryLink Rating: 9