^TagStakes in screenwriting

Blurred silhouette of a child behind a glass door in the darkness (symbolizing sadness, loneliness, horror or fear)

^{Type
post

Gary Varner
Date
April 19, 2025

Categorized
Science Fiction

Tagged
Evil Child archetype, John Connor (in Terminator Genisys), Kyle Reese (Terminator Genisys), Sarah Connor (Terminator Genisys), Stakes in screenwriting}

Terminator Genisys Review Part 8: The Evil Child Murders the Film

_{The screenwriters tried to adapt the Evil Child theme from horror films without allowing enough time to build the needed suspense} _{Gary Varner
April 19, 2025

6

Science Fiction}

Making John Connor a villain also removes Sarah’s motivation to fight Skynet. Without that, she’s just another generic tough girl fighting an army of robots. Read More ›

Contrasting Headwear Symbolizing White Hat and Black Hat SEO Techniques

^{Type
post

Gary Varner
Date
April 12, 2025

Categorized
Science Fiction

Tagged
Archetypes in fiction, John Connor (in Terminator Genisys), Kyle Reese (Terminator Genisys), Nihilism in literature, Sarah Connor (Terminator Genisys), Skynet (Terminator Genisys), Stakes in screenwriting}

Terminator Genisys Review, Part 7: Now John Connor Is the Bad Hat

_{Why don’t Hollywood screenwriters understand the importance of what the audience thinks is at stake?} _{Gary Varner
April 12, 2025

6

Science Fiction}

The way writers make fantasy engaging — and sci-fi is a form of fantasy — is by anchoring the hard-to-grasp concepts with familiar ideas. Read More ›