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- Mar 17, 2005
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OK, Here's the link to the screenplay: http://www.beingcharliekaufman.com/spotless.pdfhttp://www.godamongdirectors.com/scripts/fewgood.shtml
You'll have to get up and get the movie on your own.
Feel free to chime in whenever you’d like. The discussion is open to everyone and anything related to screenwriting and this particular movie.
You can, of course, post anything you'd like but some things to think about that we can discuss:
- Did you like the movie? Why or why not?
- Did you enjoy the screenplay? Why or why not?
- What did you think of the writer’s use of:
Language?
Description?
Dialogue?
Pacing?
Style?
Characterization?
The first ten pages?
The ending and resolution?
The opening shot?
The final shot?
The premise?
- How did the writer set up/ describe the characters?
- How did the writer set up the situation?
- Was the writer able to get you to visualize the movie in your own mind?
- Where did the writer set up for tension or drama later on? How did they do it?
- How did the writer get the character across on script? Did you see how the writer was able to project a character that attracted the attention of an A-List star? (I think this would be a very valuable as this is one of the major selling points of a good script.)
- Was the script one that drew you in?
- If you were a producer/reader, would you have bought this script? Why or why not? Why do you think it was made?
- Where and how did the script follow popular screenplay structure? Or did it? (Hauge, Field etc.)
- What were the main plot points? (according to Fields) The action/sequence that sets the stage for Act II and the action/sequence that throws us into Act III?
(For more information get Syd Field's Screenplay)
- What were the beats? (according to Blake Snyder)
For those who don’t know, these basically are:
1. Opening Sequence
2. Theme Stated - somewhere in the beginning you state what the movie is about
3. Set-up – where we show life before hand (combined with catalyst the problem/situation should be explained within the 1st 10 pages)
4. Catalyst – the hammer drops, life is changed, problem arises
5. Debate – what to do, what to do?!
6. Break into ACT II – some decision made, old life is left behind and journey begins
7. B Story - subplots
8. Fun and Games – in Snyder’s words: all the good stuff you see in the trailers or “the promise of the premise”
9. Midpoint – usually an up or down point (false victory or false defeat) halfway thru story.
10. Bad Guys Close In – conflict intensifies, pressure increases, etc.
11. All Is Lost – setbacks suffered, the victory of midpoint shown to be false, etc.
12. Dark Night of the Soul – character/situation at lowest point, must find strength within self or whatever
13. Break into ACT III – sequence that brings us into final act
14. Finale – big climax
15. Final Shot – resolution and end shot
(For more information get Blake Snyder's Save The Cat)
- What were the beats according to Hauge?
For a good diagram see here: http://www.screenplaymastery.com/structure.htm
(For more info get Michael Hauge's Writing Screenplays That Sell)
Stage 1: The Set-Up
Turning Point 1: The Opportunity
Stage 2: New Situation
Turning Point 2: Change of Plans
Stage 3: Progress
Turning Point 3: Point of No Return
Stage 4: Complications and Higher Stakes
Turning Point 4: Major Setback
Stage 5: Final Push
Turning Point 5: Climax
Stage 6: Aftermath
These are just some questions I'll be asking myself and possible points of discussion.
As well as any gossip-mongering anyone might know about how the writer slept with the right person etc to get the script made.
You'll have to get up and get the movie on your own.
Feel free to chime in whenever you’d like. The discussion is open to everyone and anything related to screenwriting and this particular movie.
You can, of course, post anything you'd like but some things to think about that we can discuss:
- Did you like the movie? Why or why not?
- Did you enjoy the screenplay? Why or why not?
- What did you think of the writer’s use of:
Language?
Description?
Dialogue?
Pacing?
Style?
Characterization?
The first ten pages?
The ending and resolution?
The opening shot?
The final shot?
The premise?
- How did the writer set up/ describe the characters?
- How did the writer set up the situation?
- Was the writer able to get you to visualize the movie in your own mind?
- Where did the writer set up for tension or drama later on? How did they do it?
- How did the writer get the character across on script? Did you see how the writer was able to project a character that attracted the attention of an A-List star? (I think this would be a very valuable as this is one of the major selling points of a good script.)
- Was the script one that drew you in?
- If you were a producer/reader, would you have bought this script? Why or why not? Why do you think it was made?
- Where and how did the script follow popular screenplay structure? Or did it? (Hauge, Field etc.)
- What were the main plot points? (according to Fields) The action/sequence that sets the stage for Act II and the action/sequence that throws us into Act III?
(For more information get Syd Field's Screenplay)
- What were the beats? (according to Blake Snyder)
For those who don’t know, these basically are:
1. Opening Sequence
2. Theme Stated - somewhere in the beginning you state what the movie is about
3. Set-up – where we show life before hand (combined with catalyst the problem/situation should be explained within the 1st 10 pages)
4. Catalyst – the hammer drops, life is changed, problem arises
5. Debate – what to do, what to do?!
6. Break into ACT II – some decision made, old life is left behind and journey begins
7. B Story - subplots
8. Fun and Games – in Snyder’s words: all the good stuff you see in the trailers or “the promise of the premise”
9. Midpoint – usually an up or down point (false victory or false defeat) halfway thru story.
10. Bad Guys Close In – conflict intensifies, pressure increases, etc.
11. All Is Lost – setbacks suffered, the victory of midpoint shown to be false, etc.
12. Dark Night of the Soul – character/situation at lowest point, must find strength within self or whatever
13. Break into ACT III – sequence that brings us into final act
14. Finale – big climax
15. Final Shot – resolution and end shot
(For more information get Blake Snyder's Save The Cat)
- What were the beats according to Hauge?
For a good diagram see here: http://www.screenplaymastery.com/structure.htm
(For more info get Michael Hauge's Writing Screenplays That Sell)
Stage 1: The Set-Up
Turning Point 1: The Opportunity
Stage 2: New Situation
Turning Point 2: Change of Plans
Stage 3: Progress
Turning Point 3: Point of No Return
Stage 4: Complications and Higher Stakes
Turning Point 4: Major Setback
Stage 5: Final Push
Turning Point 5: Climax
Stage 6: Aftermath
These are just some questions I'll be asking myself and possible points of discussion.
As well as any gossip-mongering anyone might know about how the writer slept with the right person etc to get the script made.
