Favorite scripts to read as a teaching tool for novice"

douglass

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Hi,

I'm starting this writing journey and was wondering what screenplays you've read that have helped you learn the craft?
 
bluntforcetrauma

bluntforcetrauma

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Juno
The Godfather

That's two. but there were and are so many more. I'm a fan of neither film, but they're well-written.
 
lorna_w

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some on my hard drive:

Chinatown
Annie Hall
Gods and Monsters
The Sweet Hereafter
Chasing Amy
Good Will Hunting
Shakespeare in Love
Ghost World
Up in the Air

Your taste may vary. Also, read every one you can find various versions of, even if it's for some junkie movie like...I dunno, re1gn of f1re. I read several versions of American Beauty, not at all a favorite of mine but well written, which changed a whole lot over time.

FYI, I no longer write scripts; tried it, was too different for me and I reverted to fiction.
 

douglass

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Thanks everyone for the recommendations!
 

douglass

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Williebee,

I tracked down Drew's -- quite a resource, thanks.
 

douglass

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bluntforcetrauma said:
Juno
The Godfather

That's two. but there were and are so many more. I'm a fan of neither film, but they're well-written.
Click to expand...

I read The Godfather last night. Very impressive!

It was interesting the way they "told" (foreshadowing?) all of the exciting scenes and then "showed" them after. I wouldn't have thought that work, but for me it did. Is that a common technique?
 
Esper

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I looked at The Terminator when I wanted to know how they wrote in his p.o.v. for the technical vsfx.

I've also picked up The Artist out of curiosity.
 
bluntforcetrauma

bluntforcetrauma

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douglass said:
I read The Godfather last night. Very impressive!

It was interesting the way they "told" (foreshadowing?) all of the exciting scenes and then "showed" them after. I wouldn't have thought that work, but for me it did. Is that a common technique?
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's common, but what a great script. Glad you enjoyed it.
 
bluntforcetrauma

bluntforcetrauma

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That's my goal, but sometimes I tend to fatten things up with a little extra padding. *slaps my hands* Gotta quit that!
 

douglass

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bluntforcetrauma said:
That's my goal, but sometimes I tend to fatten things up with a little extra padding. *slaps my hands* Gotta quit that!
Click to expand...

Yeah, now I'm going through my "finished" novel and I think I can remove at least one scene and maybe combine another two.
 
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I don't know what it is about American Beauty, but of the hundreds of scripts I've read since that one, it still stands out. It really is beautifully written.
 

douglass

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screenscope said:
I don't know what it is about American Beauty, but of the hundreds of scripts I've read since that one, it still stands out. It really is beautifully written.
Click to expand...

Finished Amercan Beauty this morning. Great in many ways -- a real page turner.

What I learned the most from this script:

Every character was distinct and unique. Unbelievable characterizations! You could tell each character just from their dialogue.
 

Gateway

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MrJayVee said:
There are no "must-read" scripts. You have to read virtually every script you can get your hands on. Seriously.
Click to expand...

Agree.

But start with films you enjoy. Preferably Hollywood blockbusters.

Suggest you don't choose weird films, like don't choose the script of some russian arthouse short that won weirdo-award of 1926. You'll just confuse yourself.

Don't just read them, analyze them. What's happening page 10, 15 etc. Why.

Reading Toy Story 3 now:
http://scripts-onscreen.com/tag/toy-story-3-script/
 

sharpyetblunt

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I started by thinking of what movies i like. What movies i wanna write, and then read everything in that genre. Its also great to read early drafts of scripts and then watch the movie so you can see how it evolved and why certain thing needed to be changed.
 
thebloodfiend

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American Beauty

Juno
Young Adult -- Diablo Cody can get a bit annoying with her dialogue, but these two were pretty good scripts despite her quirks.

(500) Days of Summer
Adventureland
The Cider House Rules
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Up in the Air

Weird combination, but they helped me. Watching movies helps as well, to understand the flow of dialogue and action. Ridley Scott is good for action without much dialogue, IMO.
 
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