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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  My Work In Progress  /  And Then There Were None Spec Script Opening
Posted by: MarkD, September 6th, 2020, 3:54pm
Lately, I've been setting out to write a feature-length script based on Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. I only have the first few pages done. I mostly want to know if I'm rushing the character introductions too much. Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated as well.

Here is the script as it is now, clunky dialog and all:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/196wtST0VKhDEDaVGR54xqEVR6NN-5Mz3/view?usp=sharing

P.S. Scott Woodworth is a pen name I use when writing scripts.
Posted by: AnthonyCawood, September 6th, 2020, 5:53pm; Reply: 1
Hey Mark... assume this is a writing exercise as the book isn't in the Public Domain (as far as I am aware).

Re the character intro's, and this is just my opinion, but I don't get anything about Vera beyond her age, so I'd expand.

For Philip, i'm not sure how we are supposed to visualise that he's a man of adventure... what in his demeanour reveals this?

On a format point, you introduce Wargrave in one compartment and then Macarthur in another, should really be 2 scenes... and the woman in Macarthur's compartment would be better served with a description of some sort.

Best
Posted by: eldave1, September 6th, 2020, 6:41pm; Reply: 2
What are you asking? Are you asking if the characters are introduced too quickly????

If that is the question - no.

Note _ I thought the description was a bit weak.


Quoted Text
VERA CLAYTHORNE, mid 20s, takes a letter out of the pocket
of her dress and studies it for a long moment. The
approaching whistle of the train prompts her to put it back
and pick up her suitcase next to her.


I know nothing about Vera other than age.


Quoted Text
PHILIP LOMBARD, early 30s, is also waiting on the platform a
good distance away from Vera. He is a man of adventure and
it shows in his demeanor.


How can adventure show in his demeanor???
Posted by: MarkD, September 6th, 2020, 10:44pm; Reply: 3

Quoted from eldave1
What are you asking? Are you asking if the characters are introduced too quickly????

If that is the question - no.


Ok thanks. Its just with the shorter blocks of description, which I'm modeling off of Rian Johnson's scripts based on the advice of others on this forum, the action seems to go by very quickly.
Posted by: eldave1, September 7th, 2020, 10:25am; Reply: 4

Quoted from MarkD


Ok thanks. Its just with the shorter blocks of description, which I'm modeling off of Rian Johnson's scripts based on the advice of others on this forum, the action seems to go by very quickly.


No problem.
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