December 2011 – Scripts on Screen

Holocaust-Themed Scripts

The Holocaust of the Jewish people was one of the most terrible incidents in recent history. Millions of Jews were deprived of their rights, placed into concentration camps and suffered intolerable tortures during their stay. The people were treated like stains that needed to be expelled out of existence.

In modern society, the Holocaust proves to be a reminder of the dangers of racism and discrimination based on religion or heritage. It is also a lesson in hope, perseverance and faith. Film makers have tried to capture the fear and hope that intertwined behind the gates of concentration camps during that time. However, it is a difficult task.

The films below show some of the most courageous efforts to inform and romanticize the people who suffered and endured during that dark time. Despite the horrible setting, these scripts use subtlety and symbolism to engage their audiences and bring a hopeful message. Luckily, there has not been a huge demand for Holocaust films in the “torture porn” genre, yet.

The Holocaust is something that should be shown in a graceful manner; with disregard to cheap film tactics and emotionless scripts. For anyone who chooses to write a film about the Holocaust, they should remember it was a true story that affected the lives of millions of people. Their lives should be respected in a retelling of their experiences. The following films are a good example of how to write a poignant yet respectful script.

Top 6 World War 2 (WW2) Scripts

World War 2 is (oddly) one of the most marketable and popular wars in recent history. The public still flocks to films that depict incidents of this war, whether they are true or false. In addition, video games have been published that allow people to experience World War 2 battles from the safety of their own home.

This war distinguishes itself from any other recent war because most people symbolize it as a battle of good versus evil. To many people, the Nazis were one of the most sadistic groups that ever existed. Their leader, Adolf Hitler, is considered a racist who allowed millions of civilians to be killed based solely on their race.

Through this war, many countries learned what a real enemy looks like. Upon seeing the treatment of prisoners in concentration camps, the rest of the world determined what was truly worth fighting for.

Many films have been made about World War 2, but there are still many perspectives that haven’t been shown. Below is a comprehensive list of films that are focused on the actual battles that took place. These films are expressive, emotional and gut-wrenching. They can also be humorous, odd or disturbing. They show many different perspectives that are based on World War 2.

By reading these, you will gain understanding about what type of films can be made based on a World War 2 theme. Then all you must do is use your creativity to add a new element. Good luck!

(If you are interested in films about the concentration or POW camps, please refer to the scripts-onscreen.com search box.)

Film Scripts Adapted from Stage Plays

A stage play is very difficult to convert into a film script and requires great finesse and understanding in order to pull it off. Stage plays are written, obviously, for the stage; and because of that, they are compromised in order to make use of stage space and other physical restrictions. Films, on the other hand, can make use of many different dimensions that are untouchable by stage performers; and would appear dry if they didn’t make use of that ability.

The most important thing a screenwriter must do when converting a play, is to understand two things. The first thing is the playwright’s intent. Although a playwright may have been happy with the original script, there is always something that he or she would’ve done differently if given freedom. Knowing that a film breaks many physical boundaries, the screenwriter must try to understand what the original playwright would’ve done given that much freedom.

In addition to the original playwright, screenwriters must cater to the perceived desires of the audience. There are going to be audience members who have seen the original play and have expected to get the same emotional reaction they got when watching the play. In addition, there will be a new group of people who have never seen the play, and expect something different. In this situation, a screenwriter must do his or her research and become part psychologist in addition to his writing job.

Below is a list of films that have been somewhat successful in translation from play script to screenplay. By reading these along with the original plays, you will be able to understand how play translation is becoming an art form all of its own.

Scripts

(1951) A Streetcar Named Desire ($)
(1953) Kiss Me Kate [Transcript]
(1955) Guys and Dolls [Transcript]
(1957) 12 Angry Men Script
(1961) A Raisin in the Sun [Transcript]
(1964) My Fair Lady [Transcript]
(1973) Jesus Christ Superstar [Transcript]
(1984) Amadeus Script
(1986) Little Shop of Horrors [Transcript]
(1992) Glengarry Glen Ross [Transcript]
(1996) Suburbia Script
(2004) Alfie [Transcript]
(2005) Rent Script
(2007) Sweeney Todd [Transcript]
(2008) Mama Mia [Transcript]

Bruce Willis Scripts

Bruce Willis is one of the most successful actors in American film industry. Not only does his name attract audiences by the truckload, but his films are often some of the top grossing movies of the time period.

Much of Willis’ success can be attributed to the fact that he stars in some truly epic films. The Fifth Element (1997) and Die Hard (1988) were big budget masterpieces that Willis complemented with his strong acting ability. He did not have to carry the films entirely on his shoulders. However, he also takes risks. The film Pulp Fiction (1994) was Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut and could have been a box office flop. However, Willis took the risk and reaped the benefits when the film became a cult classic.

When it comes to scripts, Willis is able to choose roles that will further the audiences’ perception of the type of person that he is. In Willis films, he is always the hero. Audiences expect him to do what is right and to be uncorrupted by greed or personal gain. By choosing roles that contribute to this perception, Willis makes a place in the heart of the audience as the knight in shining armor.

As long as audiences believe that Willis is this sort of hero, they will always support him in the box office. It’s kind of like supporting your father when he starts a new business or supporting a close friend during a troubling time. Even if the film is not that interesting, people will still see it because Willis has created a place in their hearts.

Below is a list of Willis’ films throughout his career as an actor. By reading them (especially Willis’ roles), an actor can learn to recognize the same cues that Willis did in his path to creating this persona; and then they may be able to create a personality for themselves that is marketable.

As a screenwriter, these scripts give invaluable cues on how to get the actor you want. If you want an actor like Bruce Willis then you have to make sure the role suits his perceived personality. And once you have a big name star like Willis, your chances at success are enormous.

(2011) Catch .44
(2011) Setup
(2010) Red [Transcript]
(2010) Cop Out
(2009) Surrogates
(2008) What Just Happened?
(2008) Assassination of a High School President [Transcript]
(2007) Planet Terror Script
(2007) Live Free or Die Hard
(2007) Perfect Stranger
(2006) Fast Food Nation
(2006) 16 Blocks Script
(2006) Lucky Number Slevin [Transcript]
(2006) Alpha Dog [Transcript]
(2005) Hostage Script
(2004) The Whole Ten Yards [Transcript]
(2003) Tears of the Sun [Transcript]
(2002) Grand Champion
(2002) Hart’s War [Transcript]
(2001) Bandits
(2000) Unbreakable Script
(2000) The Kid
(2000) The Whole Nine Yards [Transcript]
(1999) The Story of Us
(1999) The Sixth Sense Script
(1999) Breakfast of Champions
(1998) The Siege
(1998) Armageddon Script
(1998) Mercury Rising [Transcript]
(1997) The Jackal [Transcript]
(1997) The Fifth Element Script
(1996) Last Man Standing [Transcript]
(1995) 12 Monkeys Script
(1995) Die Hard: With A Vengeance
(1994) Nobody’s Fool [Transcript]
(1994) Color of Night
(1994) North
(1994) Pulp Fiction Script
(1993) Striking Distance [Transcript]
(1992) Death Becomes Her [Transcript]
(1991) The Last Boy Scout Script
(1991) Billy Bathgate
(1991) Hudson Hawk Script
(1991) Mortal Thoughts [Transcript]
(1990) The Bonfire of the Vanities Script
(1990) Die Hard 2
(1990) Look Who’s Talking 2
(1989) Look Who’s Talking [Transcript]
(1989) In Country
(1988) Die Hard Script
(1988) Sunset
(1987) Blind Date
(1980) The First Deadly Sin

Classic Novel Adaptation Scripts

It should come to no surprise that many of the greatest films of our day have been inspired, or directly taken, from the pages of novels. Writers such as Stephen King and J.R.R. Tolkien have been able to reach new audiences through the help of creative film makers and script writers.

The fact is that many people do not have the time to read. A good novel can often run from 300 to 1000 pages (depending on the author), and can take some time in order to finish. Even for the most avid reader, there is never enough time to read all the books in the world and that is where film makers come in.

One of the biggest problems related to transforming a book into a movie is the issue of accurately following the storyline while maintaining the same emotions that a person gets when reading the book. This is a difficult task and requires a person of great emotional intelligence and technical skill in order to complete.

Below is a list of some of the best (and worst) adaptations of novels. Whether they are good or bad depends on the viewer. However, there are some elements that make them generally enjoyable and worthy of being a major motion picture. What are those elements, you ask? Well, I will leave you to find that out as you compare some of these screenplays to the classic novels that inspired them.

Once you find out the answers, you will be on your way to being able to accurately adapt a novel that you cherish. And who knows? One day your screenplay might be the one chosen for a major motion picture adaptation. Good luck!

Top 10 Film Scripts in American History

In the film industry, there are three types of films: the good, the bad, and the great. Differentiating between the good and the bad is usually easy. On the rare case, a film may just be too advanced or artistic for its time. But not all movies are artistic masterpieces; there are some films that are just plain bad.

Problems occur in films when there is lack of responsibility and determination. Writers must be passionate about their work in order to create a story that attracts an audience. Directors must be efficient leaders with an attention to detail. The crew must be able to communicate with each other to reach a common goal. If a person slacks in their role, the result shows in the final film product.

So in reality, a bad movie is just a disorganized film while a good movie is an organized one. But what is the difference between a good movie and a great movie? Great films often are a result of many different factors. They usually have professional, experienced writers or a masterful director. They often are big budget films that attract crowds of technology junkies. They have romance for the romantic viewers and action for the viewers who love violence. All in all, they are a little bit of everything.

The following list consists of the top 10 film scripts in the history of American cinema. These film scripts have a little bit of everything and were written by some of the most professional writers of their time periods. By reading these, you are getting a closer look at some of the most successful script writers of America’s history. You will get a feel of what the public wants and what styles are effective in getting their attention.