#31 - One Question
Edition #31 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
The Nice Guys
Written by Shane Black & Anthony Bagarozzi
Check out the two times that Black & Bagarozzi force a return.
Really does something different with the rhythm that we’re used to. A really cool lever to pull to communicate the uncanniness of this moment.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Written by Martin McDonagh
Besides the great writing, I was struck by the bold typeface for characters in the dialogue elements. Personally, I don’t mind it.
Alien vs Fincher
Written by Charles Pieper
I just love the way Pieper uses conventions from the Alien franchise to explore this story set in 1990 Los Angeles. "Planet EARTH" "Dream mining"
And then, yes it's a long name for a character in the dialogue, but absolutely worth spending the page space here. "Angry Middle Aged Male Voice" Starting with the corporation's point-of-view is right in line with what the Alien franchise always explored.
Such a clever script and way in to this "true story of filmic woe" (as said on the title page.)
Available to read on The Stunt List.
Two quotes about screenwriting
“A good horror film is something that taps into something absolutely truthful about us - about what we want, about what we’re terrified of - and brings that to life on screen in such a way that we can get close enough to that character to let our defenses down and want them to be safe.”
“If you look for a meaning, you’ll miss everything that happens.”
One thing to think about
Why are you writing this story?
Why are you writing this story?
Why are you writing this story?
Why are you writing this story?
Answer these three questions and you’ll answer the one question:
Why are you writing this story?
For the next month, you’ll notice some examples from scripts that are on The Stunt List.
The Stunt List is a rad, streaming-style platform for screenplays featuring a “fusion of IP and Original Voice.”
You can find bold original scripts, IP inspired features, TV specs, crossovers, and more.
The Stunt List aims to amplify a new generation of rad ink while building a grassroots community for the stunt script writer.
If you’re a writer looking for inspiration (or a producer looking for a writer) don't miss this year's Stunt List, available now.
Have a great draft,
David Wappel
PS Don’t Miss
ATTN Writers! Do you have a script that would be a good fit for The Stunt List? Submission portal for next year is already open!
Does the dog die? Crowdsourced trigger warnings for just about anything you might watch, which is especially helpful during the Halloween season
I’m really bad at this, but it’s still fun - First Person Tetris