[Quick Summary: Boxer Cassius Clay, singer Sam Cooke, preacher Malcolm X, and football player Jim Brown spend a night together in Miami, 1964.]
What is "craft"? To me, it's the ability to wield words simply, precisely, economically.
How does one get it? Experience over time (and it's generally a long time).
What does it look like? As an example, the scene below explains a "dap" gesture.
Notice how the writer uses simple words and keeps the motion flowing from one guy to the next. It's also an economical way to show friction and differences.
Also, he does not belabor the explanation. If you can't envision it, it's ok. All you need to know is that the guys tried to connect with a some kind of cool move.
INT. HAMPTON HOUSE MOTEL - MALCOLM'S ROOM
...JIM: Well, what flavor is it?
MALCOLM: Well, we have vanilla, Jimmy, and...
Malcolm looks back into the fridge.
MALCOLM (CONT'D): ...vanilla.
JIM: Shit.
SAM (chuckles): How is that for some irony?
MALCOLM: Last time I checked, vanilla was your flavor of choice.
JIM AND CASSIUS (mocking):Oooooooooooooh....
Sam respects this witty retort, as he turns to Jim and Cassius, who both have an expression that says, simply: "Damn." Malcolm and Sam both laugh as Sam holds out his hand for some "dap."
MALCOLM: That's right, jack...
Malcolm slides Sam some "skin," an older dap that signifies the generational difference. Sam just stares at his hand as the pleased Malcolm laughs to himself as he returns to the fridge to put one tub of ice cream back, before closing it.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I used to equate fewer words = clearer. But it's not necessarily fewer words... it's the RIGHT combination of words.
One Night in Miami (2020)
by Kemp Powers
Based on his original stage play
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