GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “It’s A Wonderful Life” — Structure

This week we will be analyzing the screenplay for the 1946 movie It’s A Wonderful Life, screenplay Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and Frank Capra, story by Philip Van Doren Stern. The movie was nominated for 5 Academy Awards.

You may download a copy of the script here.

Today we discuss the script’s structure. How would you break down the story’s plot? What do you think are the major Plotline points? How did the story sustain its incredible narrative drive?

Our schedule for discussion:

Monday, December 17: General comments
Tuesday, December 18: Structure
Wednesday, December 19: Characters
Thursday, December 20: Themes
Friday, December 21: Dialogue

We will have another live TweetCast on Wednesday, December 19 at 7PM Pacific. What’s a TweetCast? Everybody lines up a DVD, Netflix, or whatever of the movie, then hits play at precisely the top of the hour. So join me for that.

Here is director Rob Reiner talking about his love for It’s A Wonderful Life:

Remember: Reading scripts is one of the most important single things you can do to enhance your understanding of the craft of screenwriting. So download It’s A Wonderful Life, read it, and join in the conversation.

For Part 1, a general discussion of the script, go here.

For all of the other screenplays and commentary in the GITS Script Reading & Analysis series, go here.

NOTE: THE USE OF THESE SCREENPLAYS IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

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