Updated Structure Exercise (read & analyze a script)

RylenolFlu · Jan 17, 2008

Okay, so I've changed the potential film selections to ones that shouldn't fit neatly into the traditional Hollywood structure. I tried creating a poll but when I clicked submit thread, even though I had the "create poll" box checked, it just posted the thread immediately.

Here are the links:

In The Valley of Ellah - http://wbads-63.vo.llnwd.net/e1/wip/...nal_Script.pdf

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - http://www.awesomefilm.com/script/lifeaquatic.pdf

Any Given Sunday - http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/any_given_sunday.pdf

Sideways - http://www.awesomefilm.com/script/Sideways.pdf

The Talented Mr. Ripley - http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/m..._shooting.html

The Prestige - http://www.simplyscripts.com/p.html (no direct link, there is only a PDF download, this is the link the link to the p section)

Ideally, the objective of the exercise would be to fit the selected film into the three act structure, identifying
Act I: inciting incident, first turning point leading into-
Act II: midpoint, second turning point leading into-
Act III: big defeat, finale/payoff

Highlighting any other plot points is encouraged.

This should be fun.

Sincerely,
Ryan

dpaterso · Jan 17, 2008

I added a poll, it'll close in 7 days. That OK? Shout if you want anything adjusted.

-Derek

RylenolFlu · Jan 17, 2008

Sweet, thanks for adding the poll.

LIVIN · Jan 17, 2008

I hate to be a downer (and maybe this is irrelevant) but three of these are over 140 pages - meaning longer than a script I'll try to sell on spec until I"m a proven commodity.

Life Aquatic - 147 pages
Sideways - 143 pages

Any Given Sunday is a whopping 243 pages!!!!!!!!

Other numbers:

Valley of Ellah - 113
Prestige - 128
Talented Mr. Ripley - 88 (according to my print preview)

The length might not be an issue, but it is good to study something similar to what you're trying to accomplish.

RylenolFlu · Jan 17, 2008

Wow, okay, didn't notice some of the scripts were that long. I'll find two films to replaces them.

LIVIN · Jan 18, 2008

I'm not ruling them out, but I am hesitant. That is all. I wonder what others think.

dpaterso · Jan 18, 2008

I think unless we're prepared to pay for hardcopy produced screenplays from reputable sellers, we're always going to be stuck with reading free pre-production softcopy drafts. Some of these may have oddball lengths but, they're what the execs read, which led to their approving further drafts and greenlighting the films. The extra 10-25 pages doesn't make 'em unreadable, they'll still have recognizable beats and turning points and whatnot.

-Derek

LIVIN · Jan 18, 2008

How did "hubbabubbs" vote twice?

clockwork · Jan 18, 2008

It's a check box vote, not a radio button vote. You could vote for all of them if you wanted.

dpaterso · Jan 18, 2008

Silly me for making voter usernames visible, they're private now, we can vote without fear of being questioned!

-Derek

LIVIN · Jan 27, 2008

FYI

The poll closed and Sideways won.

l.stormgaye · Jan 28, 2008

"In the Valley of Elah" is right up my alley. I'm reading it now.

LIVIN · Jan 30, 2008

In an Effort to get this Ball Rolling - Sideways!

I read the firts 55 pages (of 140) and cursorily jotted down some notes as I went:

Beginning: Potentially extra exposition – could start later.
Possible inciting incident: Drinking and driving (pg 9)
You could literally start out with them on the road – cut 1st 7 pages
Inciting Incident – why are they getting married? (pg 12/13)
I’ve seen this before and I got utterly confused on page 14 – confused about which is Miles and Jack – characterizations, actor?
Jack – actor, getting married; Miles – writer, wine expert
Script is choc full of errors
Incident – Miles stealing money from mother (pg 18/19)
More marriage woes (pg 26)
Verbal marital questioning (pg 31)
There are some good strong, informative verbs
Incident – Maya introduced (pg 36/37)
Very dialogue based – talking heads
Missed op with Maya (pg 41)
Jack verbalizes wanting some action (pg 43)
Miles ex wife got remarried (pg 46)
Intro Stephanie – and she knows Maya, flirtatious too (pg 49)
Raise It Up – Meet up with Maya and Stephanie (pg 55)
I have mixed thoughts on Miles – he’s often portrayed as a downer, but he seems very uplifting at times (mostly when talking about wine)… at first, the conflicting characterization seemed odd, but maybe it is good depth – a nice mix

Thought I'd see if this would get the ball rolling.

RylenolFlu · Jan 30, 2008

Awesome stuff, I'm half way through and I'll post my findings sometime soon.

Updated Structure Exercise (read & analyze a script)

Which script would you prefer to analyze?

In The Valley of Ellah

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Any Given Sunday

Sideways

The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Prestige

RylenolFlu

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

RylenolFlu

LIVIN

RylenolFlu

LIVIN

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

LIVIN

clockwork

In the zone...

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

LIVIN

l.stormgaye

AKA THE SHOPARAZZI

LIVIN

RylenolFlu