[Quick Summary: A simple gardener is oblivious when his simple words about gardening are misinterpreted as financial advice, and he becomes overnight sensation in Washington, D.C.]
I was going to wax eloquent about the use of misinterpretation in this script (it's at a genius level).
But if you're a serious comedy writer, you'll study the script yourself.
I want to talk about economy of the writing. It's also stellar.
Watch closely:
INT. PRESIDENT'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The President & First Lady are very attentive.....
BURNS (on TV): Do you feel that we have a 'very good gardener' in office at this time, Mr. Gardiner?
PRESIDENT: ....That bastard...
What did the writers leave out?
- They didn't need to explain the couple is watching tv.
- They didn't need to include direction like INTERCUT BETWEEN TV AND ROOM (it's self-explanatory).
- They didn't need a reaction shot.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: You can always tell when writers know what they're doing. It's always "less is more".
Being There (1979)
by Jerzy Kosinski & Robert C. Jones
(From the novel by Jerzy Kosinski)
http://www.mypdfscripts.com/screenplays/being-there
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