![]() Sorkin has already established Jo as the sort of person who over-explains everything, so when she tells Kaffee about the case and provides us with important background info in the process, it just feels like her social awkwardness is causing her to talk too much. The character dynamic pairing laid-back golden boy Kaffee with ultra-serious over-achieving Jo creates an opportunity to let us know important information without it seeming too expository and on-the-nose. This is an effective tool for any writer to learn and keep in his or her arsenal. Sorkin uses this same technique with the last line of dialogue in one scene leading directly into the first visual of the next scene at other points in the script, too. ![]() I promise you, division will assign the right man for the job.” Then we cut to a scene with the first line reading, “THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB,” followed by our introduction to Kaffee (played by Tom Cruise in the film) who is described as “almost impossible not to like.” The way the last line in the previous scene leads directly into the first line in the next scene, while setting up the script’s main character dynamic in the process, is a great example of a well-executed transition. A couple of pages later, after we’ve seen how Jo’s awkward, intense personality keeps her from getting assigned the case she wants, she’s dismissed with her superior officer’s scene-ending dialogue, “Don’t worry about it. When we’re introduced to Joanne (played by Demi Moore in the film), Sorkin writes, “If she had any friends they’d call her Jo.” Then he refers to her as Jo during the rest of the script – making us friends with her. It doesn’t merely tell us what’s happening, it establishes a distinct voice and mood, and even moves at a specific pace that consistently matches the action.Ĭharacter descriptions are also clever and original. The key is really finding the right rhythm – when you read “A Few Good Men,” the description almost feels like it’s set to music. Remember, Sorkin isn’t getting by with this stuff because he’s famous – this screenplay started his career when he was still an unknown. And if a paragraph sounds best when it runs longer than usual, then write a long paragraph. However, if including stage direction helps you tell your story effectively, then don’t worry about it. Of course, you don’t want to burden a script with unnecessary stage direction or boring, overly dense paragraphs. ![]() In my view, screenwriters often view conventional wisdom about these sorts of issues in too much of a vacuum, instead of as a means to an end (which is what they really are). He includes shots and transitions (such as “Cut To:”), addresses the reader by using the word “we” in his description multiple times and even writes nine consecutive lines without splitting up a paragraph. You might also notice that Sorkin breaks all sorts of screenwriting “rules” on the very first page. ![]() As the tension builds, we “HEAR” ominous noises and then our attention shifts to key visuals, including “A LOOKOUT POST,” “A MARINE,” and “THE FENCELINE.” These almost seem to jump off the page at us, creating a clear visual sense of the scene without needing to get bogged down in details. The suspense indicated by this writing style pulls the reader into the story from the earliest moments. This is a great way to make the action in a screenplay really “pop” and to control what the reader focuses on. Starting with the opening page, Sorkin frequently capitalizes important words and uses punctuation and syntax to control pacing. Sorkin’s style also includes a variety of useful techniques that writers can learn how to incorporate into their own work. It’s an excellent screenplay that utilizes strong fundamentals to build up to one of cinema’s most memorable scenes. “A Few Good Men,” sold for mid-six figures in 1988 and jumpstarted Aaron Sorkin’s career after he had spent years working odd jobs and struggling to break into the industry.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |