No, really, it’s research
Occasionally I like to give you guys a window into my writing world, just so you know I’m not spending all my time reading and doing yoga and walking the dog.
Because this week I’m watching movies.
Yesterday it was Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, today–based on your suggestions–it will be 50 First Dates and
I know what you’re thinking: SLACKER!!! GET A REAL JOB!
But ladies and gentlemen of the jury, right now this is actually my job. Or at least part of it.
Because I have this great big looming deadline next Tuesday to submit my partial script and synopsis to the Sundance Screenwriters competition. And I’ve been working on my submission, refining it, worrying over it, and now I need some guidance.
And what better way than to watch how the pros do it? When I watch a movie for research, I’ve got my timer out. I make a note of how long it takes to be introduced to the lead characters. How long it takes to get to the central conflict of the story. How much time is spent on resolution after the climax. Structure, structure, structure.
And sometimes, if the script is really, really good, I’ll watch the whole movie over again with the commentary track going–especially if the screenwriter him or herself is doing the talking.
So while today may seem like a day off, I’m treating it like a research day. And after two back-to-back movies I’ll spend a few hours working on my own screenplay some more, then I’ll tune into tonight’s Lost, since that, too, teaches me every week how to write a tight, efficient script.
I’m just saying, if you see me doing something that you think qualifies me as the world’s laziest sack of whatever, please give me the benefit of the doubt and assume I must be doing something really, really important that will one day turn into a book or movie.
At least that’s how I like to see it.
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Screenwriting, I’m Not Slacking I’m Thinking
April 25th, 2007 at 11:13 am
I really do love 50 First Dates.
I can’t not cry happy tears every time I watch it.
April 25th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Well, Heather, it was your vote that put it over the top, so I’m looking forward to crying some happy tears myself.
April 25th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Can’t stand Pierce Brosnan but I loved The Thomas Crowne Affair.
And if it’s all for research, you might as well take a look at some movies by first time screenwriters (I think these qualify): Good Will Hunting (Writers Guild of America for Best Screenplay written for the screen), Beautiful Girls, The Brothers McMullen (1995 Sundance Festival Jury Prize), She’s the One.
If you’re gonna do some research, you might as well study some great material. The bad stuff too, but the good stuff is clearly more enjoyable.
April 25th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Good to see you hard at work Robin!
I’ll be looking for the full report on The Thomas Crowne Affair!
April 25th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Thanks, Patrick. It better be as great as you and Barry say. (As you can tell since I’m still sitting here at my computer, I haven’t gotten to any of my research yet. Work interfered with work. Can you believe that?)
Vivian, I agree about Good Will Hunting. I really admire Matt and Ben for that. Haven’t see the others yet. I’m so remiss!
April 25th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Oohh Beautiful girls! Great flick with Princess Amidala in it.
April 25th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Beautiful Girls features Matt Dillon, Uma Thurman, Timothy Hutton, Natalie Portman, Mira Sorvino. Who’s Princess Amidala? I fear I should know who she is–character?
Actor Edward Burns wrote The Brothers McMullen.
I just realized She’s The One isn’t by a first time writer. Edward Burns also wrote that one. Jennifer Anniston and Cameron Diaz are a couple of the stars in this movie.
But all of these movies are really good. It’s probably a sad commentary that these movies are all from 1995/1996 — years before the kids. Sigh.
April 25th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Oh, I just realized, Princess Amidala is from Star Wars. Der.
April 25th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Right. Natalie Portman in the role that just became stupider and stupider as the series went on. Love her, and it was such a waste.
April 25th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I’m still pushing Blades of Glory.
April 25th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I’m way ahead of you, doll. Saw it weeks ago, loved it desperately.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
okay, will you do me this one favor? watch both “thomas crowne affairs” back to back–please. they’re both wonderful.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Annette, one was enough. I know the story now, and won’t be fooled.
April 26th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Thomas Crowne Affair is one of two instances where I liked the remake better than the original. Sabrina was the other. Both were cases of the filmmaker changing “dealbreaker” plot points and characterization. In TCA it was the fact that he was robbing banks and shooting security guards, vs. stealing art for a lark and not hurting anyone (As Dennis Leary’s character so brilliantly notes at the end of the remake). In Sabrina, it was Sabrina’s attempted suicide and the fact that you never got the idea that the little brother loved his fiance in the original, whereas the fiance character in the remake totally rocked and you could see that his thing for Sabrina was just an episode of cold feet.
As for commentary tracks, I just listened to Emma Thompson’s commentary on Sense and sensibility and it was amazing. Highly recommended.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Diana, I loved the remake of Sabrina, too. Great cast.
I’m glad you said that about the commentary track on Sense and Sensibility. Love the movie, but haven’t watched it with Emma talking about it yet. She’s so smart and did such a great adaptation. That sounds like a real treat. Thanks for the tip.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I saw a great movie yesterday that I think you would not only enjoy but find useful for your research purposes: Hot Fuzz,starring Simon Pegg and written and directed by Pegg and Edgar Wright. The two of them also created the brillant Brit zombie parody movie,Shaun of the Dead and alot of the same cast members are used in Hot Fuzz,which is a smart and witty take on police buddy action movies. It can be a little gruesome in a couple of spots,but it’s really worth it.
April 27th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Sabrina’s attempted suicide??? I’ve seen both and I can’t remember that!