Hey Everyone

As the title suggests, I just wondered what ye all thought about reading the script of an upcoming film.

Personally, if it’s something I'm really excited about, a certain director or screenwriter latest work, I don't want to see the script until after I've watched the film. I've broken this rule a couple of times, most recently with Steve McQueen's "Shame" and regretted it. I read a number of scripts off the blacklist but that’s usually because I don’t know the writer and no director or cast has been attached.

The reason why I ask is that I often see threads on here for links to scripts of anticipated films yet to be released. For example, someone recently posted saying they had the script for Paul Thomas Anderson's “The Master”. Now, I don't know about the rest of ye but a PTA film is a special (and all to infrequent) occasion so I ain't spoiling it. The same happened with Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” and Caspar Noe’s “Enter The Void” some time ago. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that people do this and long may it continue, I actually got the “Enter The Void” script to read but only after I saw the film.

Of course it all depends on your own tastes and how much you’re actually looking forward to a given film. I realise too that it’s better to read scripts on the blindside and judge them purely on their own merits without having the film as a reference point.

So just wondering what is the general trend among the members here who read a lot of scripts.

Col.

I prefer to be "virginal" when watching the film.
Want to be exposed to the complete package, so to speak.
Then, I'll look over script drafts, audio commentaries, etc.

Not to mention, you never know what draft it is you're reading.
It could be some rough draft tosser that has little to do with the finished product.
Could be a ruse from marketing "leaked" for some strategic reason. Who knows.

The best chance for me to enjoy the magic of film is to go into it with fresh eyes.

E.D.

The only script I read before the movie was Slumdog Millionaire. I couldn't put that script down. I read it start to finish. Then I HAD to see the movie.

Usually, I prefer to watch the movie though. I've always been more of a picture liker than a reader, for some reason. Going to a movie, not knowing what to expect is part of the excitement.

I've become much more of a reader over the last few months though.

I read an early draft of bridesmaids before seeing the film.

I found it  fascinating to see what they changed and then try and work out why. As we have to read scripts before anything remotely has a chance of production it seems sensible to me to do it in that order where possible.

Did you have a similar vision?

If I can find the script first, I read the script first. Two cases stick out to me, specifically.

"World War Z", Straczynski's original draft he turned in. Great script. (I also read the second draft he turned in. Not nearly as good. And, I don't even want to go into what's in M.M. Carnahan's draft...)

"The Social Network". Loved it. All that needs to be said.

Based off the drafts I read, I saw "The Social Network" in theaters and loved it. And, I would've seen "World War Z" in theaters, if they had stuck to the original draft.

Little side note, though: when I read the draft of "The Social Network", I pictured it much darker in my mind. Especially the ending.

I tend not to read produced scripts. The writing comes off as quite obnoxious most of the time. I'm also highly influenced by the film versions and tend not to be able to read the scripts without considerable bias.

I'm considering reading the Django Unchained script for the sake that I stumbled across a significant spoiler on the IMDB boards (why do I even go on those?!). To an extent, I feel the film's already been ruined for me so might as well just get it over with and go into the film as if I read the novel. On the other hand, I'm still in the dark about many things and considering it's Tarantino, I might be deliberately spoiling many a surprise for myself.

I'm also happy I read the Cabin in the Woods script so I know better than to waste my money on it. I'm also encouraging friends not to see it.

Ya, I can see that reading them prior could save you the price of cinema ticket but as E.D. said who knows how much of the script you read will end up on screen. You hear of big last minute changes all the time, on set, which can put a whole new slant on the finished product. Even if the film does remain faithful to a certain draft you read and disliked, the film could still surprise you, a lot can be gained or lost in the translation. Key factors like casting, direction, cinematography, music, etc play a huge part in the film's success or downfall.

Tarantino's "Django Unchained" is a prime example of what I'm talking about. Half of me thinks it would be cool to get it "fresh off the presses" so to speak and experience a Tarantino script first hand without any of the produced film's influence but I can't see myself giving onto that temptation. I'd rather take my chances with no knowledge except a brief synopsis and 10 quid less in my pocket.

On the other hand though, I've often sought out the books for certain films due to the author before watching the adaptation. Slight contradiction perhaps but the book is often a totally different beast to the filmed version.

I don't really like to read before I see a film because the scripts, just like books, are 99% of the time way superior to the film. I think that's why I don't watch TV or films that much. I rather read.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I don't really like to read before I see a film because the scripts, just like books, are 99% of the time way superior to the film. I think that's why I don't watch TV or films that much. I rather read.

I agree that, for understandable reasons, the majority of books are better than the film, can't be helped really. However, I can't vouch that the same applies to the scripts I've read anyway, maybe I'm not reading the right scripts or you're watching the wrong films. ;)