I’ve talked shop with several screenwriters who say not only is Nightcrawler one of their favorite films, but it’s also one of their favorite screenplays. I’ve attached a link here for screenwriting forum dwellers to check out this Dan Gilroy script. Read the first five to ten pages and see if you notice what is conspicuously missing from the screenplay. Observe how writer Gilroy does unconventional things that make this an eye catching script and a page-turner for the reader. What say you about the first ten pages of Nightcrawler. Is this something special or are you unimpressed?
http://freepdfhosting.com/ee9b7b77fb.pdf
No INT/EXT. No end of sentence punctuation in action lines. Missing active voice. Doesn't bother me if it works. Action kept me engaged.
Oh and dialogue column lengths not standard I don't think.
Amazing. But I have only seen the movie itself and not read the screenplay. I usually try to read more upbeat screenplays because otherwise it gets too heavy for me. But I'm sure the screenplay must have been good and I do have it on my reading list.
This ain't no spec script! But I sure like his writing style... minimal and engrossing.
He is writing in a style that was more popular a long time ago.
Dark as 20,000 mile 10W-40 motor oil.
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Excellent script, but it always takes me some time to get into the unusual formatting style when I read Gilroy, sort of like reading Shakespeare takes some time to get into. The most interesting thing IMO is how the main character doesn't change (no character arc, he's a psychopath, after all), but he changes some of the people he encounters.
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Read the script if/when you have the time. It is truly unique, a great example of stylistic writing. ;)
I love Nightcrawler! I recently took a screenwriting course for school that I used it for. I love to read scripts in general. IMSDB.com is one of my favorite websites for finding scripts to read (they aren't always the final version, but it's still a good way to learn).
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Looks like he does not use slug lines and inserts camera directions but then if he was directing then it would make scense to put in the camera directions.
Enjoyed reading the script. Not sure an unknown can get away with liberties in formatting. Or maybe they could? I wonder.