Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Juvie Boal

INT. SCREENWRITING 101 - DAY

A portly PROFESSOR addresses a class of prospective screenwriters.

PROFESSOR

Now, a popular way to keep the audience engaged is to employ a ticking clock.

A hand goes up.

PROFESSOR

Yes, Mark.

MARK

What's so scary about a clock?

PROFESSOR

Well, it doesn't necessarily mean a clock exactly. Think of it more like a time bomb.

MARK

So if I write a movie about a time bomb, people will be in suspense, and suspense is good, right?

PROFESSOR

Well, sure, but a movie shouldn't be about things, it should be about people, and an audience can't spend an entire movie in suspense so you'll need to find places to break the tension.

MARK

So, like, a bunch of time bombs then.

PROFESSOR

Mark, the time bomb was just an example. Ordinarily you would use your creativity as a writer to come up with a more relevant and looming danger to the story's characters.

MARK

But death is dangerous.

PROFESSOR

I agree, but you don't need to be so literal with the concept. I'm trying to give you the freedom to explore...

MARK

But time bombs are still allowed, right?

PROFESSOR

Sure, Mark.

INT. 82nd ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS - NIGHT


TINA FEY and ROBERT DOWNEY JR. make standard award show chit-chat until the part people want to hear.

ROBERT

And the award goes to...

He hands the envelope to Tina.

TINA

Mark Boal for The Hurt Locker!