[Quick Summary: Three months out of college, seven college friends enter their Freshman Year of Life with all its expectations, secrets, and messiness.]
MY TWO CENTS:
1) Would I buy this script today? YES, in a heart beat.
Why?
- It's a witty, fun, sharp, timeless drama + comedy.
- It's rare to have so much great comedy in a drama.
- It is a true ensemble cast for 7 young actors, with great arcs and conflict.
- It's cheap (no CGI, car chases, etc.)
2) The Comedic "3 Beats." I was impressed by the number of "3 beats" in this script.*
Usually, the 3 beats are close together:
ex. "INT. GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER - AUGUST NIGHT
...Wendy is looking over Jules' Date who hovers in the distance.
WENDY: Is that your date? [BEAT 1]
The naked man wanders past them. [BEAT 2]
JULES: No that's my date! [BEAT 3]
As usual, Jules has managed to make Wendy laugh, just as the Cops approach her."
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Sometimes, the 3 beats were looser and further apart:
ex. "INT. LADIES ROOM
Jules is applying eyeshadow to Wendy's bruised eye.
WENDY: He got drunk cause he lost his job. [Set the argument.]
JULES: Again? You didn't give him any money did you...?
WENDY: A little.
JULES: I thought you were going to take definite steps to change everything in your life that is not working. [BEAT 1]
WENDY: That doesn't leave much left. [BEAT 2]
JULES: Wendy this is all too destructive.
WENDY: Life in the fat lane. [BEAT 3]
JULES: You're not fat.
WENDY: I am fat. And no diet works. The only way to loose [sic] weight is by amputation. [BEAT 1]
JULES: You have to amputate Billy the Kid. [BEAT 2]
WENDY: I can't. [BEAT 3] [BEAT 1]
JULES: I don't get it. [BEAT 2]
WENDY: Me either." [BEAT 3]
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I think these "3 beat" comedy bits allowed this drama to skewer a little deeper, a little closer to the bone, than straight drama alone could.
St. Elmo's Fire (1985)(3/13/84 draft)
by Joel Schumacher and Carl Kurlander
* "3 beats"= The rhythm and/or repetition of "three" things. I'm not sure who discovered it, but it always seems to make people laugh.
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