Aug
23
Structure: Jaws
Filed Under Article Series, Structural Analysis | 3 Comments
A structural overview of Jaws (Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb, Novel by Peter Benchley 1975)
Steven Spielberg first drew me into movies with Close Encounters of the Third Kind, back in 1977.
Because I was too young for Jaws in 1975, it wasn’t until later when I discovered the movie that really made Spielberg.
Jaws literally changed the movie industry as its tremendous success not only started the ‘wide opening’ with over 500 theatres, it also launched the summer season as the most profitable movie season in the US.
Jul
27
A structural overview of Raiders of the Lost Ark (Laurence Kasdan, Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman 1981)
The first film of the extraordinarily successful Indiana Jones quadrilogy, created by Spielberg and Lucas, the greatest filmmakers of their generation. A timeless piece of of the very best entertainment. This is your typical Hero’s Journey and an excellent starting point for screen story study.
Did I mention it is also great fun?
ACT ONE
Sequence A
Oct
14
Writing in Sin
Filed Under Newsletters | 1 Comment
After seeing CANDY tonight, I’m baffled that so-called established filmmakers can get it so wrong. And let me tell you, it is not THAT hard. First: a three ‘part’ structure is not a three ‘act’ structure. And a movie lacking drama will fail. Guaranteed.
My fifteen students of Saturday’s workshop could have told you CANDY would never be a success. Sensational performances, strong direction and technically flawless. But: the absolute essentials for a screen story are simply not there. When will we finally get it right? Do Australian screenwriters really believe theirs is the only job in the world you can just ‘do’ without first learning the skill? Let’s not be naive.