Quote:
|
What exactly goes into such productions? What parts specifically is the screen writer responsible for?
|
Wow, big question. I've been in this business for the past 13 years, so I'll try and help you as best I can.
How much the screenwriter is responsible for depends on who the writer is. If he is also the director, like George Lucas, then he pretty much writes it however he wants it. But for most writers who are looking to sell their work for someone else to produce (called spec writing), there are some hard rules we have to follow.
First off, no shot directions, ever. If a producer sees shot directions on a script, such as: the camera pans up to reveal a wide shot, then it gets tossed in the can. That sort of thing is the director's responsibility, and if a writer tries to throw them in, then he's seen as stepping on the director's toes.
Actor's performances and how they deliver a line is also verboten for screenwriters. We lay out the action and the dialogue. How the actor delivers it is up to them and the director. The only time this is acceptable is if it is important to the scene for clarity. ie: Imagine a scene in which Dan is talking to both Theresa and Jill.
Theresa
Come on Dan, it'll be fun.
Dan
I told you that I'm not going to the lake today.
(to Jill)
Would you talk some sense into her, please.
Jill
Hey, keep me out of this.
As you can see by the example, the writer puts in only what is necessary. We don't say whether or not that Dan is angry when he turns of Jill, if he's whiny, if he's tired, nothing. Only the bare minimum that lets the actors know what's going on in the scene.
Next is that excessive description for a scene is heavily frowned upon. It's not a novel, so don't write it like one. You never say:
He climbed the stairs slowly, feeling as if he were marching to his doom. His hesitation evident in every step. The correct way is: He climbs the stairs slowly, appearing hesitant.
Again, bare minimum. The screenplay is seen as little more than a template for the actors and director to work off of. Crappy, I know, but that's how the business is. The writer gets absolutely no respect and his work is often trashed by the time the picture is done.
To give you a little hint of the writer/ producer relationship, I'll relay a joke that's been circulating around for a while.
A producer and writer were lost in the desert after their plane went down. After crawling for miles through the burning sand, they finally sight an oasis and run towards it. Once there, the writer bends down to drink, only to find the producer standing over him, pissing in the water. "What the hell are you doing?" The writer asks angrily. "I'm doing what I always do." The producer repsonds. "I'm making it better."
Welcome to filmmaking.
Oz
in the writing of screen plays. So please be so kind as to give me a few moments.
