#7 Opening Image
Edition #7 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
Back To The Future
Written by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
Opening on clocks might seem obvious for a time-travel movie, but earnestness and clarity can beat out subtlety in many cases. The playfulness of the type of clocks also helps tonally. And finishing off with DEAD SYNC, in full caps, is maybe a nice little way to start tuning us in to the stakes.
Yellowjackets (Pilot)
Written by Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson
I just particularly love fading up on darkness. Not only a unique image, but evocative writing. Additionally, the line following directly calls attention to us, the reader, and the feeling of safety we have in order to contrast the characters’ lack of it.
Natty Light
Written by Thomas R. Schrack
The can of the titular “Natty Light” is a great way to use the audience’s knowledge and perception of existing brands. And the speedboat plowing over the beer can highlights how unimportant this individual can is, and the rest of the film is really about showing how even a “crappy” beer can be meaningful.
Two quotes about screenwriting
“Every scene should be able to answer three questions: Who wants what from whom? What happens if they don’t get it? Why now?”
“You may not write well every day, but you can always edit a blank page.”
One thing to think about
How long should something stay on the back burner?
Let’s say you’re cooking, but in a flash of inspiration choose to cook something else. You don’t want to lose the original meal you’re halfway through preparing, so you put it on the backburner, keeping it warm.
It’s warm. You can come back to it at any time.
But you don’t have unlimited burners. You’ve just reduced your burner count by one until you return to it, which depending on your schedule, might be a while.
You’re also spending money on gas for the convenience. At what point does the cost of reheating become less than the cost of keeping it warm?
The backburner is not the only option.
Fridge and reheat.
Lose it entirely, and trust that you can remake it.
Or, stay disciplined and don't backburn it.
Backburning is great, if it’s temporary.
Otherwise you’re wasting space and wasting gas.
How long should something stay on the back burner?
Have a great draft,
David Wappel