Re: Narrative Elements In Film aren't the only thing contributed by the screenwriter

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Posted by Bruce from DC on August 18, 2000 at 15:48:05

In Reply to: Narrative Elements In Film posted by AudioHead on August 18, 2000 at 14:13:42:

The statement you quoted is a commmonplace not only with respect to film but also with respect to "serious" fiction. Many, many works of serious fiction are "about" the telling of the story as well as the story itself: Moby Dick, The Canterbury Tales, Ulysess, to name just a few.

With respect to movies, the statement is correct insofar as shot setup, camera angle, lighting, music soundtrack etc. affect the film. However, the screenwriter supplies one additional crucial element in a film, besides the narrative -- the dialog. Unless your taste in flim runs to pretty pictures and great music -- Claude Lelouc's "A Man and a Woman" (1967) and "Elvira Madigan" (1968) come to mind -- dialog is extremely important and can make or break a film.

A good example of this is the first three Star Wars movies. The first one, written and directed by George Lucas has absolutely ridiculous dialog. Despite that, the inventiveness of Lucas and his gang with all of the creatures, etc. carries the film.

The second and third installments were directed by other directors, and Lucas had a co-author on the screenplay. The narrative, I am sure, is all Lucas; but the dialog is much better.

The recent Phantom Menace, is I believe, all Lucas -- and it shows. By now, we are all familiar with the dimensions of Lucas' imagination; and he really doesn't show us anything new -- except that progress in computers now contributes to even more impressive effects.

Maybe the films of the 40s and the 50s, with their split-second repartee, are too "talky" for modern tastes. But the screenwrite writes the dialog and that IS important.

RBB --
"Still getting the wax out of my ears."

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Narrative Elements In Film - AudioHead 14:13:42 08/18/00 (11)

Indeed, the plot isn't important... - Dmitry 20:41:53 08/21/00 (3)

One Of My Favorite Quotes... - AudioHead 08:55:53 08/22/00 (2)

Addendum. - AudioHead 11:40:33 08/23/00 (1)

Re: Addendum. - Dmitry 23:16:09 08/28/00 (0)

Re: Narrative Elements In Film aren't the only thing contributed by the screenwriter - Bruce from DC 15:48:05 08/18/00 (4)

Then there's Vanya on 42nd Street... - clarkjohnsen 07:13:08 08/21/00 (2)

OTOH, Filmmaking As Collaborative Art. - AudioHead 08:34:27 08/21/00 (1)

That's good! (nt) - clarkjohnsen 12:34:21 08/21/00 (0)

Re: Narrative Elements In Film aren't the only thing contributed by the screenwriter - AudioHead 10:36:14 08/19/00 (0)

I think I know this book... - Stephen Hayes 15:23:36 08/18/00 (1)

Gene Kelly Hanging Off Lampost... Singing In The Rain. - AudioHead 10:25:37 08/19/00 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Narrative Elements In Film aren't the only thing contributed by the screenwriter - Bruce from DC 15:48:05 08/18/00 (4)

Then there's Vanya on 42nd Street... - clarkjohnsen 07:13:08 08/21/00 (2)

OTOH, Filmmaking As Collaborative Art. - AudioHead 08:34:27 08/21/00 (1)

That's good! (nt) - clarkjohnsen 12:34:21 08/21/00 (0)

Re: Narrative Elements In Film aren't the only thing contributed by the screenwriter - AudioHead 10:36:14 08/19/00 (0)

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