Updated Structure Exercise (read & analyze a script)

[RylenolFlu]

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 (http://wbads-63.vo.llnwd.net/e1/wip/us/elah/ITVOE_Final_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 (http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/mr-ripley_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]

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

-Derek

[RylenolFlu]

Sweet, thanks for adding the poll.

[LIVIN]

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]

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

[LIVIN]

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

[dpaterso]

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]

How did "hubbabubbs" vote twice?

[clockwork]

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

[dpaterso]

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

-Derek

[LIVIN]

The poll closed and Sideways won.

[l.stormgaye]

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

[LIVIN]

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]

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