#32 - Making Adjustments
Edition #32 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
Only Murders In The Building (Pilot)
Written by Steve Martin & John Hoffman
I’ve written often about the value of judiciously including information that’s only available to the reader, not the viewer.
In rapid cuts, how is the viewer going to know the apartment number of these people? (I don’t think a shot of the door is intended.)
But it feels right here. Martin & Hoffman never, ever miss a choice to drive home the idea that this is about people (and murders) in the building. They even put it in the title.
Cool Hand Luke
Screenplay by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson, Based on the novel by Donn Pearce
What a slugline.
Old Ass Zombies
Written by Josh Barkey
These are from three different pages of the script, and really show how fun the format can be if you let your voice loose a bit. There are even bigger and bolder and wilder pages in the script, but I wouldn't want to spoil the read for you.
Also, check out Barkey's last line below. So fun.
Available to read on The Stunt List.
Two quotes about screenwriting
“The first work of the director is to set a mood so that the actor’s work can take place, so that the actor can create. And in order to do that, you have to communicate, communicate with the actors. And direction is about communication on all levels.”
“The lies are in the dialogue, the truth is in the visuals.”
One thing to think about
What adjustments can you make to your process?
I didn't always do this, but lately I've taken to writing as the absolute first thing in the morning.
I used to have a morning routine that helped "wake me up" before writing, but I've changed it up. I "wake up" later. Now I just start writing.
The sooner I can get to my computer and start typing the better. The only thing that happens between getting out of bed and getting to the keyboard is making a cup of coffee. I actually eat breakfast after I've finished my morning session.
Right now I'm drafting a new pilot off of my detailed treatment, so I've made a lot of decisions already, and it's just about getting it down.
I've found it useful to be writing before my brain is fully awake. The caffeine hasn't hit yet and I'm not awake enough to second-guess myself. The more I can capture that half-dreaming feeling the better.
This may only work for this part of the process. Drafting the treatment, I wanted to be sharp. For the rewrite (I know it's coming!) I'll want to be sharp. But right now, this is really working.
This is just my experience, and I'm not saying you should do this specifically, but it is worth looking at small tweaks that might have a big impact. For me, this one did.
What adjustments can you make to your process?
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!
Are you a writer over 40? Submit your script to The Grey List!
This documentary looks fantastic
Which plants are psychoactive? (This is totally for script research and not personal use…)
This To That - If you need to glue stuff together (especially for those of you DIYing your costumes) this will tell you exactly what type of glue you need