[Quick Summary: Overprotective clownfish dad Marlin goes looking for his son Nemo who was scooped up by a Sydney diver-dentist.]
Q: What does the "screenwriting rule" Do Not Write Exposition mean?
A: This is a shortcut way of saying do not explain things, i.e., "Show Don't Tell."
Q: Isn't that too simplistic?
A: It's a good place to start. Eventually you'll realizes that sometimes there is no other way to deliver information except to say it (ex. "How old are you?" "Fifteen.")
Q: So what is the purpose for the "rule"?
A: Writers like to talk about ideas, but talking heads = visually BORING.
Q: So exposition is not the problem, but the way it is delivered is?
A: Yes.
Q: So my job is to deliver exposition in a new way. How?
A: One way is to create a situation where the characters are rounded out.
For example, in the scene below:
- Nemo is dropped the dentist's aquarium. He is introduced to new fish.
- Through their interactions, we learn about the characters have a life outside this story, i.e., more three dimensional.
- We learn that they are smart, observant, can be trusted, i.e., Nemo can trust them.
- The writers can sneak in exposition, ex. dentist is predictable.
PEACH (O.S.)(muffled): Mwemottamivemone!!
The tank gang looks up to Peach stuck high on the glass.
BLOAT: Can't hear ya, Peach.
PEACH (unsticks): I SAID WE GOTTA LIVE ONE!
Excited, the tank gang ditch Nemo, and swim up to Peach's level They look on with keen interest as the dentist begins work on the patient.
GURGLE: Yes!
BLOAT: Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!
DEB: Whadda we got?
PEACH: Root canal, and by the looks of those x-rays it's not going to be pretty.
SFX: DRILL/SCREAM
BLOAT: Rubber dam and clamp installed?
PEACH: Yep.
GURGLE: What'd he use to open?
PEACH: Gator-Glidden drill. He seems to be favoring that one lately.
Deb tries to look past her reflection.
DEB: I can't see Flo!
PEACH: Uph, now he's doing the Shilder technique.
BLOAT: Oh, he's using a Hedstroem file.
GURGLE: That's not a Hedstroem file. That's a K-Flex.
BLOAT: HEDSTROEM!
...Without warning, a PELICAN (NIGEL) bounces off the window by the tank. The fish don't react. Keep their eyes on the dentist. The bird thrusts his head into the room, out of breath.
PEACH: Hey, Nigel.
NIGEL: What did I miss? Am I late?
PEACH: Root canal, and it's a doozy.
NIGEL: Root canal, huh? What did he use to open?
PEACH: Gator-Glidden Drill.
NIGEL: He's been favoring that one. Hope he doesn't get surplus sealer at the secondary portal terminus...(spots Nemo) Hello. Who's this?
DEB: New guy.
GURGLE: The dentist took him off the reef.
NIGEL (studies Nemo): An outie?! From my neck of the woods, eh? Sorry if I ever took a snap at ya! Fish gotta swim. Bird's gotta eat!
DENTIST (O.S.): Hey!
The dentist is heading for the window, waving the bird away.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Don't be afraid to go into the character's world and away from your character.
Much of this scene is NOT about Nemo, but it is about exploring the world (but it stays true to the overall theme, which is Nemo learning to explore).
Finding Nemo (2003)
by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds
Story by Andrew Stanton
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