The 1980’s screenplay, A Boy’s Life, written by Melissa Mathison, was actually my first professional script I have read in its entirety. However, I was aware after reading the first page that the setting and the imagery sounded quite familiar to a film I watched as a child, but I had not seen E.T. in years. The reading went smoothly and I finished in less than two hours.
The experience was not as difficult as I assumed; I have a hard time getting into books. This screenplay certainly stood out and entertained me. As I read, I started to remember the shots from the film and found it quite interesting how the film’s medium was translated from the text I was reading. As I mentioned in class, I find the screenplay to be awkward in the action lines when Mathison uses the words, “we” and “you”. I feel as if they should not be there… Other than that, the screenplay was beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed page 35, when Elliot protectively introduces E.T. to Michael. The dialogue is simple, concise, and runs smoothly, enabling any reader to blatantly understand what is going on. In addition, I found the dialogue to be amusing in the beginning of the script when the boys are arguing with each other in the house; the comebacks are very 80’s and immature. Ultimately, I only found one issue to be confusing; I didn’t seem to feel introduced to KEYS. Eventually, I caught on.
The script certainly felt complete. It had a beginning, middle, and end, including sub plots and developed Campbell’s journey as well. I do believe screenplays are meant to be read by non-professionals. Once one understands how the scenes and shots are introduced and abbreviated, a screenplay is no more than reading a book. It is simply a different genre and style of a book. I had an easy time reading this screenplay, and I am sure I was more into reading it because it was of a subject that interested me.
Jesse Rosoff
Discussion questions:
1) How could one describe Elliott’s dialogue throughout the entire screenplay?
2) When the doctors and scientists raided Elliott’s house, the dialogue during the process of trying to save E.T.’s and Elliott’s life seemed to be very tense, fast, and critical. How did you feel? Rushed? Bored? Curious?
Disucssed Question by -Juan Sanchez
1) There are many camera directions (PAN, LONG SHOT, etc.) in the script for A Boy's Life. Do you believe writers should apply more visual/camera decisions in their scripts or should those decisions be left solely for the director to decide?
I like it when the writers give hints to camera movement and shot setup. Initially, they are the ones who created the worlds as presented in the text, giving them the right to indicate their interpretation of how their medium can be translated into the medium of film. In addition, I do not think the minor suggestion can hurt because ultimately, the shot setup comes down to the decisions made by the cinematographer and the director. Writers should apply as much camera directions as needed for the script is theirs to start.
Nice discussion question, Juan!
D
4 comments:
Thanks, Jesse. Congrats on being first up!
I thought Elliot’s dialogue was well done. It was generally short, genuine, and to the point, much like a ten-year-old would actually speak.
I particularly enjoyed the raid scene in the script. It did a good job creating a hectic and suspenseful mood and was very engaging to read.
~Andrew Erdal
The dialogue's constant shift from one character to the next during the raid fully illustrated the confusion of the situation. The energy and tension made the scene exciting to read and imagine.
Elliot's dialogue was very suitable for a boy his age. He usually spoke in concise, simple sentences and his use of profane words like "penis-breath" are expected from a child his age.
-Fernando Rosas
I thought Elliott's dialogue was typical for a boy of his age. He spoke in short, to the point sentences. I felt the scene was hard to read. I liked how it portrayed how confused the doctors were when they were doing tests on E.T.
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