Honestly, mate. I don't know.

The only thing I can say is that the modern expectation is that scripts are entertaining to read and that the readers like these little moments to flow rather than just being static moments and they seem to like you to explain what's going on.

Like : John looks around, confused. Where the hell is Paul?

I'm not being much help, and I wish I hadn't mentioned it tbh!

As always: Just grab a load of the best recent pro scripts and see what they do and if what they do makes it read better.

If anything occurs to you...report it back here.

To be honest I can’t help but think we walk a tightrope between the two. I think your example is how I would’ve done it - quick, clean, clear. Safe. You can’t misinterpret it.

With the other method - you’re showing the actions and emotions without telling. But at the same time, a script reader (3pm on a Friday) could easily find “a nod” or whatever ambiguous (in this case you’re better off with John is confused).

It reminds me of that quote, “nobody is stupid but nobody likes to read”.

EDave,

OI agree on McKee. “Dialogue” - I slushed through the book. Excruciating pain. That being said the info was well worth it. ZI did get a lot out, but Seeger is the the best and easiest read.  Her subtext book (short and sweat) is excellent.

Quoted from JohnI EDave, OI agree on McKee. “Dialogue” - I slushed through the book. Excruciating pain. That being said the info was well worth it. ZI did get a lot out, but Seeger is the the best and easiest read.  Her subtext book (short and sweat) is excellent.

Will have to check i tout. I did listen to a part of a podcast with her and liked what she had to say.

I listened to McKee podcast - thought I was listening to CHARACTER OF THE GUY BY THE FIRESIDE AT MASTERPIECE THEATER, SPENT HALF THE TIME LKOOKING UP WORDS HE USED THAT HAD NO PLACE IN CONVERSATIUON AND FINALLY FELL ASLEPP WITH YOUTUBE RUNNING!

THAT WAS CARACITURE NIOT CHARACTER.

Quoted from JohnI I listened to McKee podcast - thought I was listening to CHARACTER OF THE GUY BY THE FIRESIDE AT MASTERPIECE THEATER, SPENT HALF THE TIME LKOOKING UP WORDS HE USED THAT HAD NO PLACE IN CONVERSATIUON AND FINALLY FELL ASLEPP WITH YOUTUBE RUNNING!

Yeah. he is a snooze fest

Starting out, I liked Save The Cat. As Rick mentioned, you need his second book because he doesn't go into enough detail about his genre groupings. The website is also useful as it breaks down the beats of major films.

But Truby's The Anatomy of Story is on a whole different level. I cannot recommend it enough, along with his audio recorded classes on genre. They are quite expensive but worth every penny imo.

On a related note, would anyone be interested in doing a group thing where we pick a movie every couple weeks and everyone breaks down the structure of the film?

Thought it might be cool to see the story beats laid out based on whatever "system" people are using. I know for me personally, it would help motivate me to study more films.

Just a (hungover) idea. Any interest?

Quoted from MarkItZero On a related note, would anyone be interested in doing a group thing where we pick a movie every couple weeks and everyone breaks down the structure of the film? Thought it might be cool to see the story beats laid out based on whatever "system" people are using. I know for me personally, it would help motivate me to study more films. Just a (hungover) idea. Any interest?

There is a thread for just that thing you're talking about, James, somewhere... Script Club, was it called? Perhaps Pia can point me in the direction of the ongoing thread, or I'll find it later. SSers would review, analyse produced pro scripts.

Quoted from LC There is a thread for just that thing you're talking about, James, somewhere... Script Club, was it called? Perhaps Pia can point me in the direction of the ongoing thread, or I'll find it later. SSers would review, analyse produced pro scripts.

Oh, I hadn't seen that. And I just realized there's also the Script Reviews thread which already kind of serves that purpose. But I only want to do it if others agree to ramble about the script and not just me lol. Anyways, I'm going to bed. I'll see if any of this makes sense in the morning.

Here's the link to one of them:

https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1435353310/s-0/

There have been more.

You could get one going, see if any takers.

Good time for it seeing as there are no challenges for a while.

Quoted from LC Here's the link to one of them: https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1435353310/s-0/ There have been more. You could get one going, see if any takers. Good time for it seeing as there are no challenges for a while.

Thanks, I'm surprised I haven't come across this before. Seems like they must have died out at some point. Maybe it can be resurrected, but probably not during the Holidays.

Perhaps one day a hero will rise up, return the Script Club to its former glory, and restore the realm.

Quoted from MarkItZero Thanks, I'm surprised I haven't come across this before. Seems like they must have died out at some point. Maybe it can be resurrected, but probably not during the Holidays. Perhaps one day a hero will rise up, return the Script Club to its former glory, and restore the realm.

During the holidays is the perfect time. You can get the McGuffin you need to complete your quest, then afterward take it back to the store under the Extended Return Period policy.