Comments on: Evolution/Revolution http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/ - A Blog by Syd Field Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:04:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Diane B http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-345 Diane B Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:00:14 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-345 Mr Field does a wonderful job explaining the new advances in film making. As a middle aged person learning to create screenplays I hope that I'm not too rusty to keep up with the world. I must admit that I swallow hard trying to absorb all the technical jargon but it's a good thing. My first screenplay that I've been holding and working on for about five years will utilize this new technology if it's ever sold. It's a fantasy that would have only been possible as a cartoon in earlier years. I much prefer the use of new technology with live actors if it ever gets off the ground. So yes, I must find a way to be thankful for the new technology and that's a reason. Also I would never have been able to study screenwriting without my internet connection. It's wonderful. Last week my husband and I watched the 1950/51 version of THE JAZZ SINGER starring Danny Thomas. I barely remember him as a star in his television show that aired when I was a very young child. THE JAZZ SINGER contained several scenes in which the cantor and the choir were singing Hebrew songs in the synagogue. I loved the beauty and poignancy in those scenes. The father in the movie was a cantor and he wanted his son played by Danny to be a cantor. We were touched by this movie. I loved the music. I liked Peggy Lee too. I thought that she played her role realistically. She wasn't overdone. I didn't know that Danny Thomas had such a nice voice. Oh Well When one goes into some churches today it's impossible to hear oneself think much less sing because the horns and drums are so loud it's deafening. At this time we are searching for a church where we get to read music and hear the words. Oh well that's an aside. It seems that worship music is changing too. My character in my rewritten screenplay is betrayed but I put some brief dialogue in to indicate that she's thankful for what she has. I have two brief scenes in which the characters say prayers. These scenes contain bowed heads without words being spoken. I know that movies from the fifties and before had a few prayers. Even now there are movies with prayers. I bring this up because I wonder if I'm out of step with the majority. I've never been one to try to conform to trends though. People argue about everthing today. Polarization is in vogue it seems. I've got to be true to my screenplay though so I will forge ahead with the two brief scenes containing bowed heads. Mr Field does a wonderful job explaining the new advances in film making. As a middle aged person learning to create screenplays I hope that I’m not too rusty to keep up with the world. I must admit that I swallow hard trying to absorb all the technical jargon but it’s a good thing. My first screenplay that I’ve been holding and working on for about five years will utilize this new technology if it’s ever sold. It’s a fantasy that would have only been possible as a cartoon in earlier years. I much prefer the use of new technology with live actors if it ever gets off the ground. So yes, I must find a way to be thankful for the new technology and that’s a reason. Also I would never have been able to study screenwriting without my internet connection. It’s wonderful.

Last week my husband and I watched the 1950/51 version of THE JAZZ SINGER starring Danny Thomas. I barely remember him as a star in his television show that aired when I was a very young child.

THE JAZZ SINGER contained several scenes in which the cantor and the choir were singing Hebrew songs in the synagogue. I loved the beauty and poignancy in those scenes. The father in the movie was a cantor and he wanted his son played by Danny to be a cantor. We were touched by this movie. I loved the music. I liked Peggy Lee too. I thought that she played her role realistically. She wasn’t overdone. I didn’t know that Danny Thomas had such a nice voice. Oh Well When one goes into some churches today it’s impossible to hear oneself think much less sing because the horns and drums are so loud it’s deafening. At this time we are searching for a church where we get to read music and hear the words. Oh well that’s an aside. It seems that worship music is changing too.

My character in my rewritten screenplay is betrayed but I put some brief dialogue in to indicate that she’s thankful for what she has. I have two brief scenes in which the characters say prayers. These scenes contain bowed heads without words being spoken. I know that movies from the fifties and before had a few prayers. Even now there are movies with prayers. I bring this up because I wonder if I’m out of step with the majority. I’ve never been one to try to conform to trends though. People argue about everthing today. Polarization is in vogue it seems. I’ve got to be true to my screenplay though so I will forge ahead with the two brief scenes containing bowed heads.

]]> By: Syd http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-327 Syd Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:55:11 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-327 Hi Timothy: You know you raise an interesting point. But the story always has to keep moving forward - scene by scene, sequence by sequence. Music doesn't drive the story forward, it simply accentuates the emotional beat of the story. And, really the writer's job is to simply tell the story, that all he/she has to do. The other areas will come into play when the film is shot and they're laying down the tracks of the music/effects. good writing, Syd Hi Timothy:

You know you raise an interesting point. But the story always has to keep moving forward – scene by scene, sequence by sequence. Music doesn’t drive the story forward, it simply accentuates the emotional beat of the story.

And, really the writer’s job is to simply tell the story, that all he/she has to do. The other areas will come into play when the film is shot and they’re laying down the tracks of the music/effects.

good writing,

Syd

]]> By: Timothy Hughes http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-321 Timothy Hughes Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:22:19 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-321 What about anachronistic (whatever the opposite is) application of modern narrative devices? Techno music in clash of the titans? Anything that could not exist in the world created by the filmmakers. Should/can the writer tackle this? What about anachronistic (whatever the opposite is) application of modern narrative devices? Techno music in clash of the titans? Anything that could not exist in the world created by the filmmakers. Should/can the writer tackle this?

]]> By: Jones Nike http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-249 Jones Nike Sun, 08 Aug 2010 03:30:42 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-249 Honestly, I'am voiceless. The Shawshank Redemption is marvelous. I'am a young movie fanatic, actually, this film appeared whenI was very young, and so I am to a greater extent used to films with fabulous special effects, edge-of-your-seat action, et cetera. This film has zero of that, and however, it appeals so close to me . The way Frank Darabont uses the narration of Red to drive on the story, the excellent the film music utilized (note the mouth harp used merely before Red finding the letter close to the end). The whole film, from start to closing, from actions to sound, is a lighthouse of desire, judgment, and repurchase. The cast is mastered, Morgan Freeman(Red) in reality brings about a refreshing feel to the tale, and that is precisely what the movie is, what a film should be. Really recommended for each film fan. Honestly, I’am voiceless. The Shawshank Redemption is marvelous. I’am a young movie fanatic, actually, this film appeared whenI was very young, and so I am to a greater extent used to films with fabulous special effects, edge-of-your-seat action, et cetera. This film has zero of that, and however, it appeals so close to me . The way Frank Darabont uses the narration of Red to drive on the story, the excellent the film music utilized (note the mouth harp used merely before Red finding the letter close to the end). The whole film, from start to closing, from actions to sound, is a lighthouse of desire, judgment, and repurchase. The cast is mastered, Morgan Freeman(Red) in reality brings about a refreshing feel to the tale, and that is precisely what the movie is, what a film should be. Really recommended for each film fan.

]]> By: Linda Randall http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Linda Randall Mon, 03 May 2010 23:17:12 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-236 Robin Jay said I should take a look at your site when I asked who would be a great mentor for me with the romantic comedy action screenplay that I've written during a script frenzy 2010 challenge. I'll be listening to your podcasts on here and reading your notes. I'll find your books too! Once I do I'll be blogging about it on the idea girl says wordpress - my writers, book review blog. :) I hope you have videos on youtube, I'll post them on my site as well. Great layout on your site. Some sites I visit are not easy to manage, this one's awesome. (give your page designer a pat on the back from me) Cheers! Robin Jay said I should take a look at your site when I asked who would be a great mentor for me with the romantic comedy action screenplay that I’ve written during a script frenzy 2010 challenge. I’ll be listening to your podcasts on here and reading your notes. I’ll find your books too!

Once I do I’ll be blogging about it on the idea girl says wordpress – my writers, book review blog. :)

I hope you have videos on youtube, I’ll post them on my site as well.

Great layout on your site. Some sites I visit are not easy to manage, this one’s awesome. (give your page designer a pat on the back from me)

Cheers!

]]> By: Alethea http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-214 Alethea Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:53:37 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-214 This article gives me a new perspective that I appreciate. I need to watch The Bourne Supremacy again. I am dying to know if Mr. Field thinks that Casablanca would have been the classic that it is if it had used the present day technology for the flashbacks. On the subject of the old way of movie production contrasted with the new way I wonder if I might ask questions that resulted because I'm reading a book by William Goldman. In it he discusses the "She's My Daughter Shes my Sister" scene from Chinatown. It is a disturbing scene. He brings up the thought that there is very little shame in our world today. His associate said that a scene like that could be on Oprah today. That highly regarded script doctor, felt that our lack of shame damages the possibility for drama now at that level. Mr Goldman mentioned the Littleton Colorado tragedy and the fact that stations were bragging about their viewership going up. He mentioned the replays of all the action that occurred over and over. He was concerned about the dead kids. He wondered if anyone was concerned about them. He states that people are taking the insanity for granted. Then he brings out a very pertinent point. He wonders if this type of insanity affects screenwriting. (The book is titled " Which Lie Did I Tell") He states the following "Is the second-rateness of the world right now going to drag us story tellers down?" He answers himself by saying that he doesn't know about that but that he does know that screenwriters will have to try harder. He states "Its easier, as the audience dumbs down and expects less, to be satisfied with less than our besr work." He also hopes that his associate is wrong about our society's lack of shame. That is an interesting discussion to me. If studio heads could read that and be aware of the problem couldn't they help us? --I think that they could do more than they think they could. They do have to see the truth, they have to think about it and of course they have to care. Truth can be illusive to some people. It's hard for some to see. I'm not saying that is one of their characteristics though. --Not at all. We're all confused by the chaos. As an aspiring screenwriter at the bottom of the rung, I have my humble opinion. Simplicity is beautiful. It's also illusive. I am worn out by a lot of movies today that are overdone. I think that folks have forgotten about good taste. They turn the sound systems up too much in the theaters. The actions flicks have so much violence in them that viewers should be resistant to morphene. The behavior is so coarse that the art is hidden. It's all overdone. Just like our society. I'm ready for something different. This article gives me a new perspective that I appreciate. I need to watch The Bourne Supremacy again.
I am dying to know if Mr. Field thinks that Casablanca would have been the classic that it is if it had used the present day technology for the flashbacks.
On the subject of the old way of movie production contrasted with the new way I wonder if I might ask questions that resulted because I’m reading a book by William Goldman. In it he discusses the “She’s My Daughter Shes my Sister” scene from Chinatown. It is a disturbing scene.
He brings up the thought that there is very little shame in our world today. His associate said that a scene like that could be on Oprah today. That highly regarded script doctor, felt that our lack of shame damages the possibility for drama now at that level.

Mr Goldman mentioned the Littleton Colorado tragedy and the fact that stations were bragging about their viewership going up. He mentioned the replays of all the action that occurred over and over. He was concerned about the dead kids. He wondered if anyone was concerned about them.

He states that people are taking the insanity for granted.
Then he brings out a very pertinent point. He wonders if this type of insanity affects screenwriting. (The book is titled ” Which Lie Did I Tell”)

He states the following “Is the second-rateness of the world right now going to drag us story tellers down?”

He answers himself by saying that he doesn’t know about that but that he does know that screenwriters will have to try harder. He states “Its easier, as the audience dumbs down and expects less, to be satisfied with less than our besr work.” He also hopes that his associate is wrong about our society’s lack of shame.

That is an interesting discussion to me. If studio heads could read that and be aware of the problem couldn’t they help us? –I think that they could do more than they think they could. They do have to see the truth, they have to think about it and of course they have to care. Truth can be illusive to some people. It’s hard for some to see. I’m not saying that is one of their characteristics though. –Not at all. We’re all confused by the chaos.

As an aspiring screenwriter at the bottom of the rung, I have my humble opinion. Simplicity is beautiful. It’s also illusive.

I am worn out by a lot of movies today that are overdone. I think that folks have forgotten about good taste. They turn the sound systems up too much in the theaters. The actions flicks have so much violence in them that viewers should be resistant to morphene. The behavior is so coarse that the art is hidden. It’s all overdone. Just like our society.
I’m ready for something different.

]]> By: Clemmie Kibbe http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-207 Clemmie Kibbe Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:40:55 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-207 Interesting and Entertaining! I have added your web site to my favorites. Please keep me updated! Interesting and Entertaining! I have added your web site to my favorites. Please keep me updated!

]]> By: Abigail http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Abigail Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:06:37 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-8 Marcus, I don't think you really read or understood the piece. Your right when you said non-linear story telling has been around but they didn't have digital technology in the 40's. Like the piece says, if you see the flashback in Casablanca, it's a cinematic sequence that is simply "inserted, or dropped" into the story line. They didn't have the ability to "integrate it" into the story like they can now in Bourne Supremacy. It is, as the piece says, an evolution of the form, of the technology. Film is both science and art and the science part is altering our perception of the craft, in telling our stories, visually. I like the article. Thanks Syd, I think it's timely and spot on. Marcus, I don’t think you really read or understood the piece. Your right when you said non-linear story telling has been around but they didn’t have digital technology in the 40’s. Like the piece says, if you see the flashback in Casablanca, it’s a cinematic sequence that is simply “inserted, or dropped” into the story line. They didn’t have the ability to “integrate it” into the story like they can now in Bourne Supremacy. It is, as the piece says, an evolution of the form, of the technology. Film is both science and art and the science part is altering our perception of the craft, in telling our stories, visually.

I like the article. Thanks Syd, I think it’s timely and spot on.

]]> By: Marcus http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Marcus Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:15:17 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-7 Subtitles have been around since the beginning of film and narrative voice was very popular in the 40's. Non-linear storytelling in film has been around way before the technology we have today. I don't understand. Subtitles have been around since the beginning of film and narrative voice was very popular in the 40’s. Non-linear storytelling in film has been around way before the technology we have today. I don’t understand.

]]> By: Rio Shakti http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/2009/09/12/evolutionrevolution/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Rio Shakti Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:46:58 +0000 http://www.screenwriterscorner.com/?p=3#comment-2 Syd, i am a new entrepentuer working on a new Boxing Talk Show for the USA network and i agree with your theory of everything is changing around us...this we know subconsciously but, in our conscious mind is just awaking to global matters which triggers the mind. i think that in today's fast pace world where everything in marketing changes every 6 months we have to stay focus but, i think that people today know subsconsciously we have to stop to have a coffee break is healthy. i believe that as we humanity envolve in our consicous mind we will all be connect universally of which we know in our hearts and know realize that our hearts were right all along we know have confirmation...our minds are now catching up the universe consicouness which was there all along. this is my mere humbly opinion from a servant of the greatness that is available in the universe.... Syd, i am a new entrepentuer working on a new Boxing Talk Show for the USA network and i agree with your theory of everything is changing around us…this we know subconsciously but, in our conscious mind is just awaking to global matters which triggers the mind. i think that in today’s fast pace world where everything in marketing changes every 6 months we have to stay focus but, i think that people today know subsconsciously we have to stop to have a coffee break is healthy. i believe that as we humanity envolve in our consicous mind we will all be connect universally of which we know in our hearts and know realize that our hearts were right all along we know have confirmation…our minds are now catching up the universe consicouness which was there all along. this is my mere humbly opinion from a servant of the greatness that is available in the universe….

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