I see format, people.

Joe270 · Mar 2, 2007

I wonder if this happens to anyone else . . .

When you are watching a movie, do you see the formating of the screenplay as you watch? Especially the INT DINING RM NIGHT and MONTAGE / SHOT sequences, master scenes. I can see the character names above the dialogue as the characters speak, the elipses stand out.

I know I am a bit skewed, perhaps twisted, albiet not quite sprained, but does anyone else experience this? Really wrecks the picture, by the way.

ATP · Mar 3, 2007

I touched on this in an earlier thread -

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41185

but not everyone warmed to the idea. Yet, one indicated something akin to your view.

I'm neither at your nor his level of ability or mindset yet; as I continue to develop in this area, I am sure it will eventually happen.

Joe270 · Mar 3, 2007

That was an interresting thread. It seemed more focused on generating ideas.

The experience I'm refering to is almost like visualizing a page of script during the movie. Ususally this is short-lived, almost always happens at the beginning of movies or TV shows. Once I get more interested in the story, the visuals go away. Sometimes they come back here and there.

I don't think it's any matter of level, it's probably because I am overhypersuper interested on what made someone want to read this script? Were the first ten pages so good producers jumped at this? Maybe that's why it happens at the start.

icerose · Mar 3, 2007

When I'm studying a movie, yes. I look for how I would describe each scene and how I would introduce it and such. If I am watching it just to watch it, no.

Joe Calabrese · Mar 3, 2007

If I am not engrossed in the film by the first ten minutes, my mind tends to wander and yes-- I do start looking at the script and other elements while I muddle through the film. I don't actually see INT. superimposed on my vision but things pop in as I watch (mostly questions about what these idiots where thinking when they made this) though.

As I said though, if I am sucked in, I just enjoy the film. Then when it comes on DVD I'll study it and learn from it or I'll get the script online.

scripter1 · Mar 3, 2007

I don't SEE

the format in my minds eye BUT
I will say to myself sometimes, "That was a nice series of shots, great choice to do it that way."
Or the reverse "I would have done it differently."
Or what's fun is when I go "OH, cool montage!"
And my hubby looks at me wierd. 'Montage? What the heck are you talking about?'

Joe270 · Mar 3, 2007

Dead on there, scripter. My wife gripes at me, too. I really try to keep it down, but so often fail.

She reminds me of the Sixth Sense constantly, because I griped about unrealistic scenes. Of course, I got slammed big time at the end. I rarely miss the plot, but he got me good. Years ago there was a Tom Berrenger movie called "Shattered". I figured it out before the opening credits ended, my wife told me to write it down on paper. I was right, she was pissed. But at least I didn't ruin that one for her.

scripter1 · Mar 3, 2007

I

have a hard time while watching trailers.
There are times when I snort or laugh out loud (the wrong way) and have to clamp my hand over my mouth.

Hillgate · Mar 3, 2007

I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when I see a transition that is cliched, work that is over-motifed (eg doves fly over a gravestone every few seconds), a voiceover where it would actually sound better read off the page, where something's been cut and the editor made an error cutting it, the reverse, and so on.

I know what you mean about 'reading' when watching...I think a high proportion of films are too long, and they'd have benefited from more circumspect editing, and it's at those moments when the 12 point Courier New outweighs the celluloid image.

scripter1 · Mar 3, 2007

My hubby has

great lines that just don't make any sense.

I was shouting at FLICKA the other day,
"Aw, come on! I can't believe you made that sappy, melodramatic story choice. arggh."

And he snaps at me, "Well why don't you write your own movie then!"

HELLO!!!!
What do you think I'm spending so much time at the computer for!!

Scenes that should have been silent really get to me.
If a movie isn't totally involving me I will critique the dialog more and mentally cut out the extra words.

Joe270 · Mar 3, 2007

I am with you both, Scripter and Hill. I like to see the fresh stuff.

Some of the rehash can still work out. I went off somewhere about star power driving things, but sometimes it works.

I often rant "why the heck did they make this when they could have made mine? This is junk, mine is new." We gotta get read, just give us a read. Maybe the contests will do it, worked for Icerose.

dpaterso · Mar 4, 2007

I don't mentally write screen headings and suchlike, but I do tend to zoom in on missed dramatic opportunities -- emotional reactions that aren't shown, dialogue that could be so easily punched up to make a weak scene memorable if not pivotal -- and often mull them over so much that I don't take in the rest of the film or TV ep as well I should. Obsessionally fixated, moi?

-Derek

zeprosnepsid · Mar 4, 2007

I work a lot as an editor so I can see the edits a lot of the time. Like 'oh, I bet they did that because....'. It happens all the time.

But like most people, I pay more attention to the mechanics of something when the story isn't engaging me enough. It helps get through a boring movie though when you have the ability to look at it critically. It at least gives you something to do.

Rainy Night · Mar 5, 2007

Joe270 said:
I wonder if this happens to anyone else . . .

When you are watching a movie, do you see the formating of the screenplay as you watch? Especially the INT DINING RM NIGHT and MONTAGE / SHOT sequences, master scenes. I can see the character names above the dialogue as the characters speak, the elipses stand out.

I know I am a bit skewed, perhaps twisted, albiet not quite sprained, but does anyone else experience this? Really wrecks the picture, by the way.

And I thought I was the only one... I watch movies in script format and can't help it any more.

Bmwhtly · Mar 5, 2007

Joe270 said:
I see format, people.

That's a coincidence, I see dead people.

But seriously, I tend to do it the other way round. If I'm reading a really well written script, I see the camera moves in my head. On occasion, I see bits of the storyboard.

Joe270 · Mar 5, 2007

I was wondering if anyone picked up the joke, BMW.

I wonder how much is in the direction and acting. I watched an hour drama which is normally pretty good, but this one really had the template in my head going. Perhaps there is bad chemistry between two of leads, but I saw everything with them. And their "walking" and "running" starts were off, you could see the actors start the action. Not good.

NikeeGoddess · Mar 6, 2007

i see...

B

ut seriously, I tend to do it the other way round. If I'm reading a really well written script, I see the camera moves in my head. On occasion, I see bits of the storyboard.

i tend to do it this way too. over-analyzing a movie ruins the enjoyment. that's why so many writers are so overly critical. i'd rather save that analyzing for it's 2nd or 3rd viewing.

it's like american idol we can watch a contestant sing, enjoy it or cringe at it or laugh or whatever. if we love a performance and it gets over-analyzed by the one of the judges...okay, simon - you just want to say, "did he hear what i just heard?!" i enjoyed that. when randy and paula get up and dance, simon sits there like a lump (actually he does that even if he loves it).

ok - i'm just babbling now so i'll shut up

I see format, people.

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