Over the years, I've grappled with the idea of a screenplay as a blueprint, a map, or "written to be shot." What does it mean?
Then I heard an explanation from writer Paul Schrader that made sense:
What I tell young writers is don't confuse screenwriting with writing. Screenwriting is part of the oral tradition. It is not part of the literary tradition. You have to tell your story. It's not about the words, it's about the telling. (underline mine)So screenwriting is not about really about the words, but use of words for the telling! (Or, as screenwriter Eric Roth said, a "bastardized form.")
As an example, I thought the plot for this script was so-so, but the telling of how these two protagonists cheat on a civil service test is great.
Note that the words below state "how they cheated", but it is really the telling of "how they bonded."
ex. "INT. EXAMINATION ROOM - DAY
... Fitz-Hume copies the answer and then the two of them begin ever-escalating series of collaborative maneuvers, signaling page number, answers, multiple choices, etc. via an elaborate set of clandestine pantomimes and sign langues, always checking the Monitor to be sure they're unobserved. Fitz-Hume boldly pulls his patch from his eye. Catches an answer written inside. He lets it snap back. He reads from the bandage on his arm. He takes off his shoes, flips them over to read answers written on the soles.
They are still desperate. Fitz-Hume thinks a minute and decides, "What the hell."
FITZ-HUME (screams): Oh, my God! The pressure! The stress! I can't stand it!
He stands up.
FITZ-HUME (continuing): It's inhuman! I --
He starts to gasp and roll his eyes. His tongue sticks out. He begins to stagger.
FITZ-HUME (continuing): My heart!...Heart attack! Attack of the heart!
He careens around the room. As he does he takes the opportunity to look at everyone's test paper. He clutches a couple and staggers around, reading them. Finally, he collapses to the floor. Millbarge jumps in.
MILLBARGE: Stand back. I'm a trained cardiologist. He needs air. Let me fan him.
He grabs another applicant's test paper and fans him, reading it all the while.
MILLBARGE (continuing): I said stand back. Maybe you should all go out of the room.
CLOSE ANGLE - THE EXAM MONITOR - DAY
She's not dumb. She reaches under her desk and presses a concealed button."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: It seems so easy: Scripts that are told well are fun to read.
It took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize that no one can teach you how to tell a story...except by reading lots of stories.
Spies Like Us (1985)(rev. draft, 10/19/84)
Story by Dan Aykroyd & Dave Thomas
by Dan Aykroyd and Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
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