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Watching "Atonement" With Script in Hand

I watched "Atonement" last night with the script in front of me.  This is one of my favorite films ever, and it was totally awesome to watch it with the film script right there.  I get a different appreciation for the writing (as well as the acting) when I can see the words in print, and see on screen how the actors delivered them.

What you don't see is how the script writer (Christopher Hampton) adopted the screenplay from the novel by Ian McEwan. I read the novel after seeing the movie in 2008, and I think Mr. Hampton did a great job.  Of course, Robbie Turner is supposed to be big and tall, but I am so happy that description was ignored and James McAvoy was cast instead.  I think the role was perfect for him.

At any rate, watching Atonement was part of this week's assignment for my screenwriting class.  Part of the re-write for my own script includes updating my period from the 1860's to the early 1900's, so my instructor wanted me to see how a romance/mystery/period piece looks on the page, and get a feel for the language. I also saw how to make notes for stage instructions.  I see I need a lot more description in my own writing. I'm sure I'll be referring back to it over and over as I proceed with my own writing...

Anybody else have an experience of seeing the words in print for the first time, and how it broadened your perspective?

Anna and Thomas Sequence One

My homework for my screenwriting master class is to have Sequence 1 ready to share at the next class.  Is every window necessary and compelling?

I started this screenplay last September or October, and it seemed to flow so easily.  Somewhere along the way it got hard.  My job is to have it be fun and easy again.  I keep going back to, I design my life.  Why am I designing it that writing is hard?  That's not very fun!

The screenwriting class is pretty awesome.  We are learning how to ask questions of our script to see what does make a scene compelling. What works? What doesn't?  Why or why not?  Is this scene consistent with my theme? My main character's behavior?  The genre?  It's interesting to watch movies now, having the distinctions I learn from this.

If you're reading this and you have ever written a screenplay, or are thinking of writing one, or have taken classes, I'd like to hear from you.  What did you do to keep the ideas flowing freely?

Terminator 2 Endures

Mike came home yesterday with a tape (yes, tape!) of Terminator 2: Judgment Day.  The Terminator and Terminator 2 are definitely my favorites of the series.  The third and fourth (you know, the one with Christian Bale) just don't measure up for drama and excitement.  

I've always loved Linda Hamilton in both movies.  I still envy her fit body in Terminator 2. Not so much Edward Furlong as young John Connor, but the adult stars make up for him.  I love Arnold in just about anything.  And Robert Patrick did arguably the best work of his career as the T-1000.

The special effects, so awesome when the movie came out, look dated, but jeesh, it's been 19 years!  And James Cameron has been pushing the envelope on special effects for over 25 years...

T2 is well-written, and I actually care about the characters, a big missing in Terminator Salvation. It definitely endures throughout the years! 

The Screenwriting Matrix of Moments

Okay, so I'm challenged this week by screenwriting teacher extraordinaire Kevin Jackson to write a list of "moments" in my script.  Do I have 200 to 300 in my entire script?  Do they define my characters?  Are they entertaining?

This screenwriting is more challenging than I originally thought.  It definitely takes commitment!  I have changed several elements in my story, including one of my main characters, a number of times.  I still need to work on expressing my core theme effectively and entertainingly.

I am going with Barbara Osach's semi-famous saying: "Get it down, then get it right." This week is all about "getting it down."

I'd be curious to know how others who have written screenplays have done it.  What was your process? How many revisions did you do?