GITS Weekly Script Reading and Analysis
A few weeks back, I posted this:
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
The scripts are available through myPDFscripts, a terrific resource for writers to analyze scripts and learn more about the craft of screenwriting.
I had some thoughts about how to structure our analysis, but I’m going to set those aside in favor of seeing what transpires organically. Maybe the process will work best if we approach it without any specific structure. On the other hand, it may become clear that it’s helpful to talk about plot one day, characters the next, and so on.
Let’s just see how it plays out.
I look forward to this next GITS initiative. To kick off Monday, September 5 with Gladiator.