[Quick Summary: Ed, a video store clerk, signs a deal to broadcast his life on reality tv 24-7, but the stress and lack of privacy ruins all his closest relationships.]
Q: Why are new writers told, "Don't use voice overs, flashbacks, montages"?
A: They are often overused and/or used poorly.
Q: How are they used poorly?
A: Solely to dump information on the audience. It bores the audience, and is lazy.
Q: Is there a better way to use voice overs, flashbacks, montages?
A: Yes. You, the writer, must always know what is the purpose for them.
ex. Is the voice over trying to set an ironic tone?
ex. Does the flashback show the character's current mind, i.e., stuck in the past?
ex. Does the montage ramp up the tension?
Below is a montage from this script.
- What is its purpose? It is a SET UP for the next scene in the rock club.
- The montage does not just deliver information (despite fame, Ed and Shari are finally happily dating) but also sets up the turn (fame is interfering with happiness).
ex. "INT. SHORT MONTAGE
Ed and Shari dating. She's shy, but she really likes Ed. He likes her and is very sweet to her.
1) Ed and Shari some place like "Tavern on the Green." She looks pretty. He's very happy.
2) They come out of a club. TOURISTS photograph them. Shari is a little disconcerted. Ed takes out a little camera of his own and photographs the tourists. This makes Shari laugh and relaxes her.
3) HOCKEY ARENA
CLOSE-UP of Ed, riving the Zamboni. He's loving it. He WAVES to Shari.
SHARI IN THE STANDS,
watching. She waves and smiles.
The ice, a WIDER SHOT.
The Zamboni is, basically out of control. Carlos is sliding along the ice, shooting Ed as the Zamboni zig-zags dangerously, eventually crashing into the boards, shattering the plexi-glass.
INT. LOCAL ROCK CLUB - NIGHT
It is very CROWDED. Claustrophobic. Loud. Ed and Shari enter -- just to see the show. They're spotted.
The Crowd, which is already fired up by the music, sees them. It starts out okay, people crowding around, patting Ed on the back.
A CHANT begins "Ed, Ed, Ed..." Pretty soon it drowns out the music.
More people press toward Ed. It's too crowded --dangerous. Shari is swept away from Ed. She's buffeted about, violently. She goes down. Ed can't move. The Crowd is friendly and happy, but the effect is scary.
EXT. ROCK CLUB - A FEW MINUTES LATER
BOUNCERS squeeze Ed and Shari out the door, protecting them. Ed is unnerved. Shari is somewhat bedraggled. Her clothing is torn."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: A montage is a wonderful shortcut, but is most effective if it has a defined purpose.
EdTV (1999)(6th draft, 7/16/97)
by Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
No comments:
Post a Comment