Brick

I think this film is well written as it is a mystery that has multiple twists and reveals that are surprising whilst still making sense. The protagonist, Brendan, changes as the story advances and he becomes more desperate to find out who killed his ex-girlfriend and who stole the brick. Also, all the characters speak like 40’s detective films.

Watch the opening scene from Danny Boyle’s film Shallow Grave. Now write your version of the first part of the screenplay. Remember to use the layout conventions of a screenplay when completing this activity.

ACTIVITY: Create a blog post where you identify a film which has an outstanding screenplay – explain why this is the case.

SCREENWRITING KEYWORDS: SLUG LINE, ACTION LINE, DIALOGUE, INCITING INCIDENT,  PLOT POINT , HEROES JOURNEY, RESOLUTION

KEY THEORISTS: CAMPBELL, VOGLER, MCKEE, FREYTAG , FIELD, TODOROV, PROPP, LEVI-STRAUSS.

http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/a-glossary-of-screenwriting-terms-and-filmmaking-definitions.html

one particular screenplay story I enjoy is the original star wars story. It begins with a classic story of a hero who comes from nothing and defeats an evil empire. The saga also includes one of the most famous plot twists in history when Darth Vader reveals he is Luke’s father.

The Wolf Of Wall Street- Although it is adapted from the book, the witty dialogue and the struggle of Jordan going from the bottom to top.

the gentlemen- guy ritchie

through characterization audience begins to route for ‘bad guy’ and dislike ‘good guy’ switching around the protagonist and antagonist. there is a clear goal set from the beginning of the film and plenty of obsticals that stop that

JOKER – My Choice

Joker (2019) shows the arc of a semi-normal man turn insane as life is so cruel and a world that ignores him. It begins as he is lied to and bullied to by Murray, his mother and most people in Gotham. This leads to him turning mad and begin killing people and starting a revolt. This spiral dismisses most generic narrative theory as Joker only spirals more and more out of control.

112 INT. DIRECTOR’S BOOTH, STUDIO 4B – CONTINUOUS 112 The associate producer tries not to laugh, but she can’t help it. The director looks over at her like she’s lost her mind.

DIRECTOR (shakes his head) Okay, ready Camera Two. Take Two. Ready Three. Three. ON THE MONITORS, some of the audience cracks up. Joker smiles at the response. Murray Franklin shakes his head, smirking at the joke despite himself.

MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON MONITORS) So, Arthur, you told me backstage that your– Joker leans over interrupting Murray, whispers something to him.

113 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE – STUDIO 4B – CONTINUOUS 113 Murray nods as Joker whispers. MURRAY FRANKLIN (bemused smile; patronizing) Right. Sorry. I mean Joker– you told me backstage that your mother’s a big fan of the show, that she never misses it. Joker puts the notebook back in his pocket. Crosses his legs, starting to get a bit more comfortable.

JOKER That’s right, Murray. But she’s dead now. The audience laughs.

MURRAY FRANKLIN (goes along with the “joke”) Hold on. Your mother’s dead?

JOKER Yeah. She is. Murray’s not sure if this is part of his act. 108.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – Group Project

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World has an excellent screenplay as it balances the grand scale of superpowered X’s who Scott must fight with the main narrative being about a guy who likes a girl. This follows Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as Scott is placed with an obstacle of the X’s or Ramona not phoning back and is helped by the Helper (Propp) of Wallace who aids Scott to keep going. This section of screenplay is mostly shot/reverse shot which saves time as well as

INT. WALLACE’S APARTMENT — DAY

Scott slumps on the couch, phone pressed to his ear. Wallace cooks bacon in the kitchen (no pants). We hear the OUTGOING MESSAGE: This is an automated voice messaging system. RAMONA is not available, please record your message after the beep.

SCOTT

Hey. It’s me, Scott again. Call me back. Scott Pilgrim. (hangs up) What’s the deal? Seriously.

Scott ambles over to the fridge and rests his head on it.

WALLACE

Yeah, you said that last night.

SCOTT

You know what really sucks though?

WALLACE

What?

SCOTT

Everything!

WALLACE

Come on guy, you can’t say you didn’t see this coming. It was right under your nose.

Wallace points to the NOTE Ramona scribbled which is pinned literally under Scott’s nose on the refrigerator:

RAMONA FLOWERS, 212-664-7665, xxxxxxx

WALLACE

What did you think these were?

SCOTT

Kisses? Seven little kisses?

WALLACE

Seven deadly X’s.

Wallace cocks an eyebrow. Scott slides to the floor.

SCOTT

Why does everything have to be so complicated?

Wallace crouches down to join Scott on the floor.

WALLACE

If you want something bad, you have to fight for it. Step up your game. Break out the L-word.

SCOTT

Lesbian?

WALLACE

The other L-word.

SCOTT

Lesbians?

WALLACE

Okay, it’s ”love.” I wasn’t trying to trick you or anything. You have to overcome any and all obstacles that lie in your path. You have the spirit of a warrior, Scott. You can do it! Be with her! It’s your destiny!(beat) Plus, I need you to move out.

No Country for Old Men – Individual Project

I chose No Country for Old Men as, like Joker, it discards the traditions of normal narrative of the hero winning and saving the day by letting the antagonist win at the end of the film. This is outstanding screenplay as it shows the gritty and real nature of life. This section of screenplay is also good as, being near the end of the film, a confrontation may occur between the characters however it ends with just more death as Chigurh seems unstoppable and kills Carla without second a second thought. This screenplay was also efficient as being a shot/reverse shot, this means that only 1 turnaround is needed and so saves time.

CARLA JEAN
…You don’t have to do this
CHIGURH
People always say the same thing
CARLA JEAN
What do they say
CHIGURH
They say ‘You don’t have to do this’
CARLA JEAN
You don’t
CHIGURH

Ok (flips coin) This is the best I can do – Call it
CARLA JEAN
I know you was crazy when I saw you sitting there. I know exactly what was in store for me
CHIGURH
Call it

CARLA JEAN

No. I ain’t gonna call it

CHIGURH

(Sigh) Call it

CARLA JEAN

The coin don’t have no say. It’s just you (desperately)

CHIGURH

I got the same way the coin did

EXT. HOUSE
Minutes later.
A beat.
He pauses with each boot in turn.
open and Chigurh emerges.