GITS Script Reading and Analysis Series: “Gladiator”
For those of you who may have missed this announcement, let me remind you about the GITS Script Reading and Analysis Series:
As longtime GITS readers may remember, in the past we have done a variety of script reading and analysis series including 40 Days of Screenplays, 6 Days of Screenplays, and so on.
I think it’s time to bring something like that back for these reasons: (A) To encourage GITS followers to read screenplays. (B) To engage in an open dialogue about story-crafting principles. © To further develop our individual and collective critical analytical skills.
Here’s my idea: We focus on one script per week. It will be a script from a notable produced movie. We will rotate by genre each week (e.g., Action, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller). The GITS community will suggest scripts and determine each week’s choice by vote or consensus.
The concept is to create a schedule a few weeks in advance so people who want to participate will have a chance to download a copy of the script (via myPDFscripts.com) and read it in time for the weekly discussion.
After everyone had a chance to vote on the first four genres on our reading list — Action, Comedy, Drama, Thriller — these are the scripts you selected:
September 5: Action — Gladiator
September 12: Comedy — Bridesmaids
September 19: Drama — Good Will Hunting
September 26: Thriller — The Silence of the Lambs
So what will you be doing this weekend? Why reading Gladiator, of course.
While you’re at it, keep some of these questions in mind:
* Structure: What are the story’s major Plotline points? What do you think represent the act breaks? How many sequences do you think the story has?
* Characters: Who are the story’s Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Tricksters? What is the nature of Maximus’ metamorphosis?
* Theme: What are the key themes at work in the story? What symbols and talismans play a significant, recurring role in the story?
* Dialogue: What do you think about the balance between dialogue and action? Which sides of dialogue do you find the most memorable?
* Scenes: What the story’s best scenes? Are there scenes you think the story could have done without? Are there scenes that could have been approached in a different way?
In all cases, ask yourself: What can I learn from this script about structure / characters / theme / dialogue / scenes?
We will start discussing Gladiator on Monday, September 5. You may access the draft of the script we will be discussing here.
It’s perhaps the single best way to learn the craft of screenwriting: Reading scripts. Here is your chance to read and analyze a script per week.