The Only Writing Series You'll Ever Need Screenwriting by Madeline Dimaggio

Author:Madeline Dimaggio
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Adams Media
Published: 2011-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Did You Hear Something? It's Not Just Noise

Such is the power of movies that many young people know more about how movies and television programs play out than they do about current events, geography, and a number of other topics previously thought to be common knowledge. Modern audiences are watching films in greater numbers than ever before, not only in the cinemas, but also on television, videotapes, and DVDs. In the process, they have become educated as to what to expect from films. Dating from somewhere around the introduction of MTV and its frenetic crosscutting, the technique of speed editing found its way into film production and strongly influenced the way modern films are made. As a result, we've got what might be called the “short attention span” audience. Unfortunately readers in Hollywood have a similar short attention span. I watched Rear Window the other night and I am ashamed to say I found it slow. Not that it wasn't brilliant, but today I promise you it would be a hard sale.

The Elements of Holding Back

Writers are learning that because film audiences know about movies, there is no need to send messages ahead to tell them what's on its way; these messages can be either verbal or visual. For instance, in the old days the setup might be an urchin hanging about and a posh business-type coming out of his house. He is wearing a blue pinstripe suit and a bowler hat, and he carries a briefcase.

The urchin has a banana that he starts to peel. The posh man keeps coming, his nose in the air. The urchin is eating the banana. Still the businessman keeps coming. The urchin throws the banana peel over his shoulder and walks off. The posh man doesn't see the banana. He steps on it, his legs go from under him, and he ends up on his rear end. (Predictable result: Audience laughs.)

Today, because audiences are film-educated, all that is needed are the setup and four shots: Posh man comes out of his house. Urchin is eating a banana. Urchin walks away. Posh man's legs go out from under him and he lands on his rear end. (Predictable result: Audience laughs.) The audience has filled in what wasn't there. You don't have to show all the details.

Writer Beware!

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.