[Quick Summary: When molten lava breaks through the earth's crust, the no-nonsense O.E.M chief struggles to corral the lava amid multiple emergencies.]
Disaster films are a tough sell to today's audiences.
However, I think that today's script is still worth a read because it is a good example of rhythm/tempo in an action film.
For me, rhythm/tempo is one of the more difficult things to describe to new writers.
If done right, it is generally invisible to the audience. If done wrong, the audience senses something is off, but often can't tell you why.
A few rhythm/tempo clues from this script:
1) It will take more space on the page than you think.
2) Rhythm/tempo conveys feeling: fast (urgency); building (pushing to a climax); pause (off guard or thinking); etc.
3) In scripts, it consists of the sequence of scenes STRUNG TOGETHER.
Note in the scene below:
- There's a lot of writing on the page (sorry it's so long).
- The sequence is: Show us other rescuers --> show protagonist Roark --> show other rescuers --> show Roark. It is the drumbeat of battle.
- When Dr. Jaye disagrees with Roark, he pauses before answering (see notes below).
ex. "MORE LAVA TARGETS THE DOWNED FIRETRUCK
A BRAVE FIREMAN climbs up to the passenger door of the prone truck, and dives into the cab.
THE LAVA REACHES THE ROOF OF THE FIRETRUCK'S CAB
We hear the BRAVE FIREMAN scream from the heat. He tries to pull the Wounded Driver straight up...A SECOND BRAVE FIREMAN reaches in...trying to pull both of the men out.
THE CAB OF THE DOWNED FIRETRUCK MELTS IN FLAME
The BRAVE FIREMAN and WOUNDED DRIVER are burned alive. We hear their screams.
REED RUNS FOR THAT DOWNED FIRETRUCK
He grabs the SECOND BRAVE FIREMAN before the guy can get himself killed. Pulls him out. AMBULANCE SIRENS wail.
ROAK LOOKS OVER THE STREET
He sees JAYE TRYING TO DRAG THE HEAD-WOUND FIREMAN out of the path of the flow. She's not fast enough.
ROARK HESITATES
Kelly's in his arms, burned, choking from all the ash. Ten feet away, two more firemen are sitting ducks...
HE LAYS KELLY DOWN ON A BUS-BENCH
She should be safe there.
ROARK RUNS BACK ON TO THE STREET
He grabs the legs of the Head-Wound Fireman. Jaye has the guy's arms. Together, they move him.
ROARK AND JAYE LEAVE THE GUY BESIDE KELLY
Lava's still coming...And the BROKEN-LEG FIREMEN is right in its path.
With the help of a THIRD FIREMAN, they hoist the guy up and haul him back to that bush-bench. Broken-leg Fireman screams in agony.
THE LAVA PASSES BY THEM
IT'S SLOW, BUT MENACING, CARRYING DEBRIS. GRAVITY SLOPES IT WEST, DOWN WILSHIRE. ROARK AND JAYE LOOK OVER THEIR THREE CASUALTIES.
JAYE (has to shout): We have to get these people to Cedars.
ROARK: This is my daughter. I'll get her there myself.
JAYE: You're O.E.M. right? (Roark nods) You're needed here. I'll take her.
ROARK: I don't...
JAYE: You bring her in, she waits in line. I bring her in, this burn gets treated. (that scored) It's not major. She's gonna be okay...But I don't want it infected.
ON ROARK [Notice that Roark doesn't answer immediately.]
He eyes, Jaye, sizing her up. She's all-business.
AROUND HIM - CHAOS [Instead, we see what he's seeing, i.e., what he's thinking.]
More accidents, more fires, and it's just beginning.
THE LAVA HITS A ROW OF PALM TREES
They line the entrance to LACMA. One by one, the palms ignite. From within the Museum, fire alarms WAIL.
ROARK LOOKS TO HIS DAUGHTER
Then back to Jaye again. He nods.
ROARK: Take her."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Give yourself room on the page. Rhythm/tempo needs space.
Volcano (1997)(draft dated 5/3/96)
by Billy Ray and Jerome Armstrong
Story by Jerome Armstrong
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