Script Analysis: “Argo” — Part 5: Takeaways
Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule:
Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown
Tuesday: Major Plot Points
Wednesday: Sequences
Thursday: Psychological Journey (Metamorphosis)
Friday: Takeaways
Today: Takeaways.
In some ways, this is the whole point of the exercise: What did you take away from the experience of reading and analyzing the script?
This week: Argo. You may download the script — free and legal — here.
For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown created by Nora Berry and analysis of it, go here.
For Part 2, to read the Major Plot Points as identified by readers, go here.
For Part 3, to read the Sequences as suggested by readers, go here.
For Part 4, to read the Psychological Journey as discussed by readers, go here.
If you’d like a PDF of the Argo scene-by-scene breakdown, go here.
Screenplay by Chris Terrio
IMDb Plot Summary: Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1980.
Writing Exercise: What did you take away from reading and analyzing the script for Argo?
This series started here and we already have 20 volunteers to do scene-by-scene breakdowns of contemporary movie scripts.
American Hustle: Jon
Argo: Nora Barry
Barney’s Version: John M
Beginners: Ali
Enough Said: Ali
Flight: 14Shari
Frankenwenie: Will King
Gravity: mattd_85
Hanna: John Arends
Lincoln: pgronk
Looper: erikledrew
Moonrise Kingdom: iamdaniel
Mud: Alejandro
Paranorman: OhScotty
Prisoners: mkm28
Short Term 12: Carolina Groppa
The Artist: Traci Nell Peterson
The Social Network: N D
The Way Way Back: Ricky
Wadjda: iamdaniel
If you’d like to participate and do a scene-by-scene breakdown yourself, please indicate which script in comments. We are using scripts available on our site here.
For new volunteers and those who have already volunteered, but not sent me a breakdown yet, please do so by November 20. Thanks!
Circling back to where we started, reading scripts is hugely important. Analyzing them even more so. If you want to work in Hollywood as a writer, you need to develop your critical analytical skills. This is one way to do that.
So seize this opportunity and join in the conversation!
I hope to see you in comments about this week’s script: Argo.
Next week: Gravity. You may download the script — free and legal — here. The scene-by-scene breakdown has been created by Matt Duriez.
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