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Old 06-20-2012, 08:24 PM   #1
douglass
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Favorite scripts to read as a teaching tool for novice"
Hi,

I'm starting this writing journey and was wondering what screenplays you've read that have helped you learn the craft?
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Old 06-20-2012, 10:39 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 06-21-2012, 12:00 AM   #3
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Arrow Scripts to read...
There are no "must-read" scripts. You have to read virtually every script you can get your hands on. Seriously.
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Old 06-21-2012, 12:37 AM   #4
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Silence of the Lambs. Fan-frickin'-tastic.
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Old 06-21-2012, 12:50 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 06-21-2012, 12:59 AM   #6
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Thanks everyone for the recommendations!
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Old 06-21-2012, 01:07 AM   #7
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I buried myself for days in Drews Script O Rama.

Read widely, read deeply, read lots.
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Old 06-21-2012, 01:32 AM   #8
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Williebee,

I tracked down Drew's -- quite a resource, thanks.
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Old 06-21-2012, 07:44 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluntforcetrauma View Post
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.
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?
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Old 06-21-2012, 08:32 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 06-21-2012, 09:36 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by douglass View Post
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?
I don't know if it's common, but what a great script. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Old 06-21-2012, 10:08 PM   #12
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I don't know if it's common, but what a great script. Glad you enjoyed it.
The biggest thing I learned is that there are no wasted scenes -- they're all great and push the story forward.
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Old 06-21-2012, 11:54 PM   #13
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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!
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Old 06-22-2012, 05:09 AM   #14
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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!
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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Old 06-22-2012, 06:12 AM   #15
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we all need a good fat-trimming.
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Old 06-22-2012, 07:57 AM   #16
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I've never read a better script than American Beauty.
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Old 06-22-2012, 09:18 AM   #17
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I've never read a better script than American Beauty.
I have heard the same opinion before -- I think I'll read it next. Thanks for the rec.
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Old 06-22-2012, 10:15 AM   #18
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I've heard it as well.
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Old 06-22-2012, 10:25 AM   #19
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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.
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Old 06-22-2012, 10:56 AM   #20
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The Lion In Winter is one of my favorite scripts and movies, a masterwork IMHO.
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Old 06-22-2012, 08:16 PM   #21
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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.
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.
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Old 06-23-2012, 12:01 AM   #22
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The Lion In Winter is one of my favorite scripts and movies, a masterwork IMHO.
Are you referring to the original or the remake? (I haven't seen either.)
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Old 06-25-2012, 07:13 PM   #23
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There are no "must-read" scripts. You have to read virtually every script you can get your hands on. Seriously.
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/
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Old 06-28-2012, 02:25 AM   #24
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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.
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Old 06-28-2012, 02:56 AM   #25
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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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