Billy Wilder's 10 points of wisdom: As delivered by Cameron Crowe

1.            The audience is fickle

2.            Grab them by the throat and never let go

3.            Develop a clean line of action for your lead character

4.            Know where you are going

5.            The more subtle and elegant you are about hiding your plot  points the better you are as a writer. (You must sugar coat this pill)

6.            If you have a problem with the 3d act you have a problem in Act One.

7.            If you let audience add up 2+2 -- they will love you.  Don't do all their work for them.

8.            In doing any Voice Over, don't describe what the audience sees, add to it.

9.            The Second Act curtain triggers the ending.

10.            The Third Act builds and builds in tension until the end.  And that's it.  Get out of there.

###