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Well, I haven't in scripts so much, so it must be the actors and the coaching, but it is beginning to drive me wild.
I count seven no's in the staccato performance of so many actors it's starting to play in my head like a bad song.
It's probably me in my evolutionary jaded form, but it really bothers me.
I see through the veneer. It's a staple they use, but must they?
We often say in our critiques, it doesn't come off as real or something to that effect and yet, on screen? That's what comes out?
In my entire life I have never said, "no-no-no-no-no-no-no".
So, okay, maybe it's a regionalism and it's not part of everyone's lingo, but still...
When I hear it, it often comes off like one of those automatic weapons, firing in unhindered bursts. It's repeated in different movies and shows and from different actors, but in the same (dare I say) stupid way?
It's not stupid, but because it's so overused, it becomes that way. I guess like the overused alarm clock going off in the beginning of movies. It's not bad, but because it's done so much, it becomes a banal thing that should be mostly discarded, until it falls into disuse to become, once again, resurrected in future generations. And it's all good again.
Have you noticed this, too?
What things bother you? And don't say people who pick on such trivial things.
Yep. I'm not sure of a viable alternative when in movie-land someone (usually after a shoot-out) is actually dying in your arms, but something different would be nice.
Yep. I'm not sure of a viable alternative when in movie-land someone (usually after a shoot-out) is actually dying in your arms, but something different would be nice.
Reminds me of an exchange in Into the Sun (1991) where an actor pegged to play a fighter pilot asks a real fighter pilot if his lines seemed realistic.
LT. WATKINS Okay, this stuff you're saying here is not what I'd say when I was being shot at.
TOM SLADE Oh, really? What would you say?
LT. WATKINS How about "Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!"
.... later in the movie, Lt. Watkins is shot at ....
When characters give 'the nod' to each other. no-one ever nods to each other in real life other than to say yes, but on screen there's always 'the nod' and it does my head in.
Other things that trigger me
"Give us the room." - No one ever says this in RL.
Characters leaving drinks or food untouched, or spend ten minutes eating a plate of lettuce.
Not saying hello or goodbye on cellphones. I know why, but it's just rude!
The object a character points out just so they can use later: "Is that a flamethrower?" "Yeah, isn't it crazy what the kids have on the streets these days." Later on in the movie, the flamethrower is used on the alien. BTW - I did not make that up, that's in a cheesy movie I saw.
There's more but I'm being triggerred too much!
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Moved over here at the back end of September, and who knew, it turns out an English accent is a plus point, unlike in Europe where we are less than appreciated right now! Haha!
Currently sat in Starbucks trying to get a genre hybrid worked out, but find myself distracted at people watching a couple on a first date, and the myriad of interesting souls seeing out their Sundays! How are you?
Moved over here at the back end of September, and who knew, it turns out an English accent is a plus point, unlike in Europe where we are less than appreciated right now! Haha!
Currently sat in Starbucks trying to get a genre hybrid worked out, but find myself distracted at people watching a couple on a first date, and the myriad of interesting souls seeing out their Sundays! How are you?
All good here. Sounds like you're in your element, Andrew. People watching (excellent fodder for writing) and being appreciated is always nice. Did your own pre-emptive Brexit. Great to see you back on SS.
When characters give 'the nod' to each other. no-one ever nods to each other in real life other than to say yes, but on screen there's always 'the nod' and it does my head in.
Other things that trigger me
"Give us the room." - No one ever says this in RL.
Characters leaving drinks or food untouched, or spend ten minutes eating a plate of lettuce.
Not saying hello or goodbye on cellphones. I know why, but it's just rude!
The object a character points out just so they can use later: "Is that a flamethrower?" "Yeah, isn't it crazy what the kids have on the streets these days." Later on in the movie, the flamethrower is used on the alien. BTW - I did not make that up, that's in a cheesy movie I saw.
There's more but I'm being triggerred too much!
Yes, yes, yes, to all that, Mark. Characters lighting cigarettes and throwing them away after one puff or stomping on them after one puff is another. Ordering food very selectively then one sip, one bite, equally ludicrous to watch. Ha! And the rude hang ups on all phones - that's been going on since the year dot. Not real life at all.
Of course Take-43 of eating must be tough so I understand the playing with food but it's not faintly realistic.
I shouldn't have read this thread. I can feel my eye twitching.
Awkward questions the character already knows the answer to, and telling the other character information they already know - Makes my blood boil. You see it more in scripts than finished films, but still.
Quoted Text
WIFE Okay, I'm off to work.
IDIOT But didn't you lose your job?
WIFE Well, yeah. I got another one.
IDIOT Oh yeah. Remember when you got diagnosed with metathesiophobia?
WIFE Why are you asking dumb questions?
IDIOT It's amazing how you managed to overcome this fear of change and find a new job. I'm sure it won't affect you at all on your first day.
Wife picks up the gun, shoots Idiot in the face.
And.... "We've got company" ... Why the hell does anyone still write this into movies?
The questions are simply bad writing, a situation that comes up often enough it has a name... As You Know Bob.
“We’ve got company” might be a very bad attempt at slipping in a quotable/viral moment. Ideally the quote makes little reference to the film when used out of context which paradoxically links it more strongly to the source material...
“Go ahead, make my day.” “I’ll be back.” / “Ah’ll be bahck.” “They’re heeeeeere.” “May the Force be with you.” (exception to the context rule)
And so on. However, there’s no chance of searing your quote into the public consciousness if it’s identical to the quote in zillions of other movies! I’m looking at you, “We’ve got company” and “No no no no no no no!”
So far, Sandra's original no no no no no thing bothers me the most. I cringe every time I hear it in a movie.
Another thing that irritates me is when the writer try soooo hard to add wise-ass comments throughout. Okay if one person is a smart ass. Maybe two, but most of the characters? I hate that.
So far, Sandra's original no no no no no thing bothers me the most. I cringe every time I hear it in a movie.
Another thing that irritates me is when the writer try soooo hard to add wise-ass comments throughout. Okay if one person is a smart ass. Maybe two, but most of the characters? I hate that.
Agree. If you have ten zany people you essentially have zero.