Good Scripts to read?

[sspunisher]

I was curious about something. There's so many rules for a newbie screenwriter to try and abide by, and when I go and read some professional scripts, all the rules are being broken. I'm assuming the reason is b/c these scripts are written by seasoned vets who all probably know the rules well enough to break them.

I can't go and read scripts like Revenge of the Sith or Lord of the Rings because obviously a newbie shouldn't be writing like that. My question, what scripts out there, in particular, don't break these rules, and are a good example of how an unknown writer's final product should look like.

I'm preferably looking more towards the Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Action Genre, but I'll take any suggestions. Links would be appreciated if it's a hard to find script.

[StephieM]

Good question punisher. I too would like to know the answer to that. I guess what we would be looking for is a first time script from a screenwriter. The only one that I know of right off the bat, is "AMERICAN PIE".

Steph

[NikeeGoddess]

what rules are being broken?
you shouldn't be reading scripts for formatting* issues.
storytelling, storytelling, storytelling!!! the content of your script is more important than anything else. do you have a sound 3-act structure that makes sense. strong character arcs. interesting and not "on-the-nose" dialogue. do you have all your "uh-ohs and "oh-shits" in the right places.** etc....

read scripts that are similar to what you're trying to right. the genre, the tone, the setting, the characters, etc.... or whatever the issue is that you're working on: voice overs, flashbacks, music, unusual structure, ensemble cast, limited locations, car chases, fighting, etc...


*grammar and formatting can and should always be fixed by editing and it's best to have someone else edit after you've done it yourself.

**I remember when watching Collateral that every few minutes I either said, "uh-oh! or "oh-****!" so maybe that's a good script to read for that roller coaster issue.

[dpaterso]

May I suggest http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/xXx.html which I thought was a damn good read and very clearly written.

I visit http://www.imsdb.com/ each week and read whatever's new. I read El Mariachi yesterday and Land of the Dead today, the former looks like a transcript and the latter is a bad copy with sloppy spacing but both are readable actioners.

You might not pick up everything you want to learn from just a couple of scripts so the more the merrier, experiment with the styles you like most and see what happens when you merge them together.

I still think http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/L.A.-Confidential.html is probably the best script I've read to date for writing, structure, story.

Also don't overlook screenwriter Bill Martell's site, http://www.scriptsecrets.net/ -- "Bill's Corner" lists his many produced screenplays and specifically http://www.scriptsecrets.net/corner/script.htm gives a selection of downloadable files. Bookmark the site and enjoy Bill's daily script tips, a great source of helpful advice.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[sspunisher]

Thanks Big D, very helpful, as always.

[pstudios]

:idea: Derek is really right on about Martell's site! OK to answer your ? "The Sixth Sense", "American Beauty", "Sleepless in Seattle", "On the Waterfront", and "Body Heat". If you take a class you'll have to read or at the very least be familiar with these. Also I've had several people tell me "The Thing" and "Thelma and Louise" (1st time writers). Back in the 90's I was given a synopsis and critique of "The Sixth Sense", that was done by a reader for the studio. Shoved it into a folder to find it recently, when I needed to do an assignment. Ea. week when I get incompacitated with wet nails, I read a script. Read "Sixth Sense" Two weeks ago, along with synopsis and learned a lot.

Scripts like "Sith" are not in true reader form, but transcripts of the film, can be a fun read, but not as dramatic a learning tool, unless you get lucky and can get hold of the real script.

Jennifer

[cekoya]

Yes, Jennifer and most of these scripts can be downloaded for free from Script-O-Rama.com.

[scripter1]

Good Will Hunting (pay close attention how the story creates a great interest in what each character is going to say. The script is dialog heavy, however it is interesting, unique dialog. You never know what Will is going to say next or how someone is going to respond to it. We (at least I was) eager to figure these people out and here Will's and Sean's stories.)

Blues Brothers

Gladiator (orginal draft and rewritten second draft.)

Pirates of the Caribbean

Finding Forrester (it's a genuine spec script)