All three of the screenplays differ slightly in authorial voice. The most major difference is Adaptation. Adaptation is unique in that the person writing the screenplay essentially narrates the entire piece. Although other voices come in, and different situations and settings arise, he is the one narrating the screenplay. Kaufman is the one offering his opinions and insights as to how he feels about things. His authorial voice was very distinct and noted, whereas Mathison, A Boy's Life, hangs back and allows the settings and the dialogue narrate itself. She will come in from time to time and explain the situation or offer guidance through a particular scene. She doesn't provide too much of a voice or one that overpowers the story. In The Apartment, the authorial voice is there to provide characterizations and to help develop the story. There is no distinct viewpoint aside from how they viewed the business world, as well as the actions of people in the 60's. By simply creating characters, breathing life into them, the author is providing a voice. This is a character created by them. This is they story they are a part of. That alone creates an authorial voice; an ever changing one.
In my opinion, Adaptation offers the most distinct and unique authorial voice. The author is himself, and his voice in the screenplay is his true voice in the movie. A Boy's Life is a great story. With that said, the authorial voice is much less required because the story tells itself, and the characters speak for themselves. Similarly, The Apartment shares it's viewpoints through the characters. It's difficult for me to distinguish major differences in authorial voice. Adaptation is an exception to the rule.
Discussion Questions
1.) Do you think that by simply creating the characters and the story, the author is providing a distinct voice?
2.) Is the authorial voice seen through the characters, the story, and the setting, or is it seen through the action text describing the characters and the scenes?
-Drew Barontini
1 comment:
Is the authorial voice seen through the characters, the story, and the setting, or is it seen through the action text describing the characters and the scenes?
I believe that it is, in my words, 'the subtext of the script'. I don't mean the literal subtext of the script, I mean everything from characters, writing style, action text and dialog. I believe limiting authorial voice to one element reduces and almost eliminates authorial voice because the other elements won't have any relation to the other.
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