Writing

What is the writers contribution? Can you name a screenwriter? How many writers work on a film? How much is the director and how much is the writer?

Writing
Reading a screenplay - what is there and what is missing?

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Classical Paradigm
Dominant narrative structure in American Film Protagonist - initiates action Antagonist - resists action Dramatic question - How does the protagonist get what he/she wants Conflict/opposition Patterns of action - cause & effect until climax and resolution

Casablanca

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Dramatic unity Plausible motivations Coherence Deadlines help move the action Often Classical Narrative is a journey, chase or search Protagonist is goal-oriented - passive characters are not deemed as interesting
Casablanca

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Screenplay Structure
Three Acts Act I - Set up First quarter of the movie Premise defined Obstacles laid out

Casablanca

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Screenplay Structure
Three Acts Act II Confrontation Protagonist fights obstacles Reversal of fortune in middle

Casablanca

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Screenplay Structure
Three Acts Act III - Resolution What happens as a result of the climax

Casablanca

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Point of View
First person narrator Omniscient point of view Third person narrator Objective point of view

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First person narrator
Tells his/her own story or an objective observer Can be reliable or not Can be the camera

A Clockwork Orange

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Omniscient point of view
Camera or narrator is an all-knowing observer like in a novel Every time the camera is moved, you are given a new way to evaluate the scene

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Objective point of view
Variation of omniscient Records events impartially - ideally suited to film More realistic as there is less distortion

The Passenger

 Non-verbal or figurative techniques

Writing

The Shining & Diane Arbus Twins

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Motifs
Integrated within the realistic texture of a film Anything that is systematically repeated, yet does not call attention to itself - unduly

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Symbols

Being There

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Symbols

Planet of the Apes & Godzilla

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Metaphor
A comparison that cannot literally be true Two items that are not normally together - devoured be love

Trainspotting

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Allegory
Avoidance of realism Connection between a character or situation and a symbolic idea or complex ideas

The Seventh Seal

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Allegory
Avoidance of realism Connection between a character or situation and a symbolic idea or complex ideas

8 & 1/2

 Allusion

Writing

Implied reference to a well-know person, event or work of art

 Allusion

Writing

Implied reference to a well-know person, event or work of art

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Homage
Like a quote or tribute to a colleague or established master

Battleship Potemkin

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Homage
Like a quote or tribute to a colleague or established master

The Untouchables

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Psycho & Halloween H20

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Literary adaptations
Loose Faithful Literal

Emma

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Loose

King Lear and Ran

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Faithful

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Literal - often reserved for stage plays

Proof - the film and the play

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Some Like It Hot, 1959
Written & Dir. by Billy Wilder w/Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon & George Raft Nominated for 6 Oscars, won 1 ( Best Costume Design) Considered one of the greatest comedies of all time Rated Condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency & banned in Kansas

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Billy Wilder, 1906-2002
Started as a screenwriter Films are very informed by his European roots Went on to become one of the greatest Hollywood directors ever Films include:
The Apartment, Double Indemnity, One, Two, Three, The Lost Weekend. Sabrina, Stalag 17, Sunset Boulevard, Ace in the Hole, The Seven Year Itch, Love in the Afternoon, Witness for the Prosecution

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Tony Curtis, 1925-2010
Born Bernie Schwartz in the Bronx Stalled in costume dramas, Burt Lancaster became a mentor and helped him break out of being just another pretty face Was married to Janet Leigh Films include:
The Defiant Ones, Houdini, The Sweet Smell of Success, The Boston Strangler, The Vikings, Spartacus, Operation Petticoat

Tony Curtis on Cary Grant

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Jack Lemmon, 1925-2001
7 films with Billy Wilder Started on Broadway Best Supporting Actor (Mr. Roberts) & Best Actor (Save the Tiger) Films include:
Mr. Roberts, The Apartment, Days of Wine & Roses, The Odd Couple, The Out of Towners, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, The China Syndrome, Missing, Glengarry Glen Ross, Grumpy Old Men

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Marilyn Monroe, 19261962
Began as a model which got her a film contract Married to Joe DiMaggio & Arthur Miller Later studied the Method at the Actors Studio Films include:
All About Eve, The Asphalt Jungle, Niagara, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, Bus Stop, The Prince & The Showgirl, Lets Make Love, The Misfits