Have any of you ever read a script to a film you love only to find your passion for that film to grow? I find that when I read scripts I admire, I always become more of a fan. One of my favorite films is Dazed and Confused and I was given an early draft and even though some of the scenes were changed, it gave me a unique insight to what Richard Linklater was thinking as a writer than made appropriate changes as a director. I was juts wondering if this happens to other film geeks like me? I'm sure it does.
Screenwriting : How does reading a script enhance your love for a particular film? by Christopher Wells
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Yes. "Big Fish." Maybe some others. I think it's cool to see your favorite movies on page. It's like you're reliving a movie when you read the script.
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I suggest everyone read “Hell or High Water” at least once. The opening scene shows you how to direct on a page with expert ease. Not clunky camera call outs. Character description are amazing. It is (in my eyes) a near perfect execution of a screenplay.
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Craig: Taylor Sheridan is a superb screenwriter. HOHW is excellent, and I like Wind River even more. Great screenplay.
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Yeah. Inglorious Basterds was great and then the script was even more enjoyable. Like Quentin Tarantino was telling me the whole story himself.
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Let's just say I fancied some scripts over their films...
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I’m just reading The Bourne Identity script by Tony Gilroy. I love the way he bullet-points the action. No explanations, or descriptions of the location, or mood, just ACTION.
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My first screenwriting class in college, we had to buy a paper copy of Chinatown; lol basically our instructor wanted us to study the best of the best and studied backwards. we ended the year studying Troma movies because Troma was always hiring new writers and the Instructor knew the Troma owner.
I met writers who worked for The Asylum production company and these writers can write, and they write production pages fast. Sharknado screenplay is a great read, just to see how the Sharknado world is done on the page.
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@DanMax That is a really cool curriculum. George Kaufman is a hoot. The Asylum is just a modern Roger Corman production company and they've actually started to produce some legit stuff like Black Summer. I would love to read the Sharknado scripts
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Great question Chris! I think reading is a different brain function than watching. When I read a script, I notice nuances in language (dialogue) I didn't realize was there and learn how to write vivid character description and scene direction.
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Sometimes, I read a script to find that some of what I liked was actually cut in the production version of the film. :( In any case, I really like the writing style of Prometheus. A great read but, in terms of cohesion, sort of lacked a bit. Like when the geologist with the mapping system is the one who gets lost or the biologist (who should know animal behavior) sticks his hand out to a creature making a defensive stance... other than that, the style he uses is great.
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Yes, I read the screenplay for The Green Mile and cried like a baby!
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Among others, SUNSET BOULEVARD with the alternate morgue opening scene.
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I read a couple of Keanu Reeves movies and Mr - Mrs Smith. the storyline was a little different, but I enjoyed it. also Quentin Tarantino movies
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There are many scripts that I have read that enhanced the film. One film that I hold dear to my heart is LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Michael Arndt wrote such a tight script. Just knowing that he wrote the first draft in three days and went on to make 100 rewrites over the course of a year is mind-blowing. Love seeing that dedication and payoff in writing shown on screen.
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The script for Back To The Future is a masterclass of subtly including set-ups for eventual payoffs. Especially considering how the story was originally meant to end.
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Thanks for the script references, everyone. :)
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1) Good Night, and Good Luck - tightly atmospheric and totally character-dependent
2) Hell or High Water - not a single wasted word, and every one combines with the next to evoke emotion
3) Lars and the Real Girl - deeply compassionate look at all forms of human love, without being precious about it