tracinell at 2012-02-21 08:39:45:

When successful screenwriters are asked, "What separates a professional from an amateur?" it's always the same three sins: Exposition, Subtext and Scene Transitions. So excited that I get to tackle this first deadly sin with Scott as my guide.

Buffalo_Nickel at 2012-02-21 08:56:55:

What do you think of Cameron's heavy exposition in Avatar? I personally thought it was brilliant that he found a way for his hero to literally look directly into camera and report on all the details we would need to know - all while making is critical to the mission. "For the scientific record" To me that is the best use of exposition I have ever seen. Anyone agree?

Scott at 2012-02-21 10:41:02:

BN, that's one of the things we consider in the Handling Exposition course -- exposition delivery 'devices' such as V.O., recording devices, etc. Sometimes it's best just to go at it head-on, but that all depends upon the story, genre, character, placement of the scene within the story, and the content of the exposition. Think about your example in Avatar. Or Neff's confession in Double Indemnity. Or Harvey Milk's taped concern about being assassinated to open Milk. All using recording devices. But all powerful because they rely on Fascination, Mystery and Revelation to create an emotional connection to the viewer.

pliny the elder at 2012-02-21 11:51:04:

My favorite example of the craft of exposition comes from the first episode of Firefly: The Train Job. Long story, short: Fox rejected the 2 hr pilot, and forced Joss Whedon & Tim Minear to write a new 1 hr pilot over a weekend. They had to compress everything that happened in the original pilot into the opening two acts of the new one, while propelling the main story. It's masterfully done.

Scott at 2012-02-21 14:42:41:

pliny, I have such mixed feelings whenever anyone mentions "Firefly." Happy to have reason to think about it again, bitter at Fox's decision to can the series before it had a chance to find its audience. I really liked that show, those characters, the writing. Damn. Still miss it.

pliny the elder at 2012-02-21 15:08:20:

Despite the X-Files, the channel that gave us the Simpsons and Married with Children, was really not the right home for that show. Feel the same way about Fringe (another show with superstar class writers... Akiva Goldman, anyone?).