Witness Blog

I think I might be too late for this to be on time, but I figured I'd join in anyway.

The authorial voice of Witness I found to be beleivable as a piece by two guys who had written for crime-related TV shows. I found the screenplay to be suspenseful, action-packed and clear as crystal. The description is especially powerful and evocative. It probably has to be - so many people have no concept of how and where the Amish live. I know I didn't.

The action-packed scenes, generally taking place in the land of the English (although there is one in Amish Town), are quick and, for the most part, skeletal. In the world of the Amish, the description is thicker, laced with adjectives and character description. I actually learned more about John Book's physical description when he was lying in Amish-world, through Rachel's eyes, then when he first appeared in the screenplay. I think this works to give a sense of contrast between both worlds, and it works quite well.

Bethany Dickens

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think draws John to Rachel when she's obviously unattainable? Why does Rachel fall in love with John when she initially finds him obnoxious? Is it possible that they're driven by the need to mutate/rebel respectively or is there something to deeper to their mutual attraction?

2. In the essay assigned this week, we learned that Wallace and Kelly, the writers, were nto particuarly fond of each other (they haven't worked with each other since). Do you think that this hampered or enpowered in the screenplay in any way? Do you think you could write a screenplay with someone you didn't like?