GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “Cloverfield”

Welcome to Week 13 of the GITS Script Reading & Analysis series. This week we will be analyzing the screenplay for the 2008 movie Cloverfield, an example of a Found Footage script.

You may access the 2007–06–08 draft [written by Drew Goddard] here.

Let’s use this post today for your general reactions to the script.

Did you enjoy it? Why? Why not?

What are the script’s strengths? Are there areas you felt were strengthened in the movie version?

What takeaway can we glean from the script for our own writing?

How did you respond to the found footage aspect of the narrative?

Note: While Cloverfield is his first full length feature film writing credit, Drew Goddard has carved out quite a niche in TV with writing and/or producing credits on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” “Alias,” and “Lost.” Future movie projects Goddard has been involved with as a writer include Cabin in the Woods, Robopocalypse and a sequel to Cloverfield.

Here is a behind the scenes featurette about the movie:

Our schedule for discussion this week:

Monday, December 5: General Comments

Tuesday, December 6: Structure

Wednesday, December 7: Characters

Thursday, December 8: Themes

Friday, December 9: Dialogue

See you in comments!

The last script for 2011 is Buried [Contained Thriller] for December 12–16 [which you can download here].

NOTE: THIS SERIES AND THE USE OF SCRIPTS IS STRICTLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES!

Comment Archive