[Quick Summary: A series of 11 short film episodes based on dreams by the director.]
TWO THOUGHTS: (Ok, 1 rant and 1 thought)
1) First, I heard that there were "rules" of screenwriting.
Then I heard that there were no "rules."
Then I noticed screenwriting nitpickers abhor using the word "rules," even though it's a useful term.*
My opinion? I think "rules" equals "guidelines." **
Do you need to know the "rules"? Yes, you need to know them so that you know what you're doing when you break them.
For example, the "rules" say that writing episodic scenes are a no-no...
...Except this script is ELEVEN episodes that are meant to be seen together.
It works here. If it works, it wins.
2) In this script, I liked some of the episodes better than others.
However, the one undeniable thread through all of them is a feeling of SUSPENSE.
It comes from uncertainty and wondering, "What is going to happen next?"
Note how it builds because we cannot predict either characters below:
ex. From the episode "Crying Devils":
"Seeing me, he braces himself as if under attack by a wild animal. "Are you human?" he growls.
Startled, I stop short and nod.
He looks me up and down, as if evaluating, seemingly reluctant to accept my reply as fact.
"Who are you?" I venture.
He glares at me. Then his face gnarls with pain and he crouches.
"What's wrong?" I ask. "Something the matter with you? Are you sick?"
I
move closer, but he jumps back like a beast and glares at me again.
After a few moments he relaxes and runs a filthy hand through his matted
hair, revealing a horn on his head.
Shocked, I jump back. "Are you a devil?"
The man's face contorts again. "Maybe. But I used to be a human being."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: When writing suspense, allow room for uncertainty in both the protagonist and antagonist.
Dreams (1990)
by Akira Kurosawa
*TIP: Don't be a nitpicker.
** Thus, the "rules/guidelines" means "possibly helpful, tried and true patterns" It does NOT mean 'set in stone' or 'applies in every situation.'
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