#25 - A Script’s Canvas
Edition #25 of the Lighthouse miniLetter!
You'll always get:
Three examples of great screenwriting
Two quotes about storytelling
One thing to think about
Plus some fun links at the bottom.
Three examples of great screenwriting
Cheers (Pilot)
Written by Glen and Les Charles
I adore a miscommunication between characters based on their assumptions. Such a clear way to show their priorities.
Diane is asking for a kiss for her, but Sumner assumes she means his ex-wife Barbara, because that’s who he’s thinking about.
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
By Christopher McQuarrie Revisions by Christopher McQuarrie, Will Staples, Drew Pearce
If you’ve seen the film, you know that the credits don’t happen here. Also, the last bit of Lane isn’t included at all. The scene ends with Ethan pounding on glass. Having the credits here and the match lit by Lane (a classic Mission: Impossible motif) is, in my opinion, thematically stronger than what’s in the film. It was likely cut for pacing reasons.
But how important do you think it was for the production team, particularly for Sean Harris as Solomon Lane, to read this and understand what this film’s about? Just because something doesn’t end up in the final product doesn’t mean it’s not in the final product.
Viewing
Written by John C. Fitch III
The specificity of the plane really gives it weight and communicates the milieu that the characters are comfortable in. It might sound like gibberish to us, but to the characters they know exactly what this means. Additionally, great use of bold here to emphasize how big of a moment this is in the story.
Two quotes about screenwriting
“I often attribute my screenwriting to journalism because they drill in the who, what, when, where and why - but we really need to land on that why.”
“Writing is the most fun you can have by yourself.”
One thing to think about
What is the true canvas of your script?
Screenwriting is an artistic paradox, a peculiar dance between mediums. You write, but what you're creating isn't meant to stay on the page. It's like saying, "Look at this painting!" and then playing some music.
As a screenwriter, your words are only the seed, and the final blossom of your story unfurls in the realm of visuals, sounds, and performances. You’re using words, but eventually those words will be gone.
Don’t forget that the translation between the two can sometimes get messy. It’s okay if you have to explain what’s happening sometimes, because at the end of the day, words on a page ≠ images on screen.
Like an asymptote, you can get really really close, but remember that the last little magical leap that makes a script feel like watching something happens in the reader.
All you can do is try and make the leap as easy as you can for ‘em.
What is the true canvas of your script?
Have a great draft,
David Wappel
PS Don’t Miss
A handy calculator I made to help plan your writing time
Reposting the Mission: Impossible Bingo Card (in coordination with Example #2)
Might've seen this already, but my favorite Tweet this week