So-Called Screenwriting ‘Rules’: Part 7 - Film Crush Collective at 2014-01-21 12:24:35:

[…] So it occurred to me, why not just deal with it once and for all! Get every …read more […]

Aarthi Ramanathan at 2014-01-21 16:04:05:

Scott, until I started reading GITS and taking classes at SMC, this rule about unfilmables haunted my writing for nine years+ and it's one of those things that when I would find myself deviating with my narrative voice, I was scolded back in film school because I did just that. So I am glad that you have addressed this - thankfully my writing has finally elevated to something with heart. Thanks for sharing this.

Chriszh at 2014-01-21 16:25:48:

The introduction from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" is one of my favorite ones. There the character stands, right before me and full of live!

Scott at 2014-01-21 17:07:22:

This discussion is perhaps nowhere more relevant than with character introductions. Here it is not only possible to editorialize, it is downright advisable. Why? Because a script reader is desperately attempting to sort out the story's cast of characters. If a writer can provide a brief 1-2 line thumbnail description of that character's persona / personality / core essence, that can help. I teach a whole 1-week class on the subject of character introductions, that's how important I think this particular aspect of the whole 'unfilmable' debate.

Chriszh at 2014-01-21 17:15:58:

Well put, Scott. That has to be kept in mind too. Regardless all the "unfilmables ".

Mike S at 2014-01-29 20:25:36:

From 'Argo'. Would this count as unfilmables? "They walk through an open floor of cubicles lined with offices, we get a look at the 1979 CIA headquarters: nothing sleek or sexy about the interior. An open area of desks where Woodward and Bernstein might be spilling coffee on their thick ‘70s ties. Papers and files everywhere. Trash emptying happens only once a week. Cigarette and cigar butts in ashtrays. Everything is perpetually a mess. And typewriters. The constant percussive sound of telexes and typing is the metronome that beats out the day here."

So-Called Screenwriting ‘Rules’: 15 Part Series - Film Crush Collective at 2014-02-01 12:37:29:

[…] 4. There are no screenwriting ‘rules’ 5. There are expectations 6. We See / We Hear 7. Unfilmables 8. Action Paragraphs – 3 Lines Max 9. CUT TO (Transitions) 10. Parentheticals 11. Flashbacks […]