Hello everyone,
I'm not a screenwriter, just a viewer of movies and TV shows. I have an idea about a non-cliche way I'd like to see violence handled on-screen.
Aside from murder investigation and crime scene shows, it seems like there is little treatment of the aftermath of violent assault and battery. Shows often depict someone being punched/kicked/etc, but I haven't noticed much exploration of the legal, financial, and social consequences that should/could realistically happen.
How often do you see an on-screen attacker later being served with papers for a lawsuit in small claims court?
How often do you see the victim (an acquaintance of the attacker) seeking a restraining order, thereby forcing the attacker out of all social circles that the two have in common?
Could the victim, and/or maybe the attacker, be depicted as experiencing chronic pain or other long-lasting health problems?
Imagine the attacker trying to explain his actions in court, and feeling shame.
Suppose the attacker is enrolled in any martial arts programs, like in that old movie The Karate Kid. Imagine depicting the people in charge of those programs being informed that a student used his/her fighting skills illegally. You could depict the dojo master/sensei either expelling the attacker from their classes or at least punishing that person.
If an especially dangerous or violent attack happens between students at a school, you could show the attacker being expelled. Then explore the social and academic disruptions that result.
One problem would happen if the two parties are underaged. Maybe the victim's parents would have to sue the attacker's parents, have to get the restraining order on their child's behalf, etc, because minors cannot represent themselves in court? In any case, parents would be depicted as being motivated enough to get involved.
I don't believe these ideas would be a main theme/topic in a show. They would be included in an incidental way.
Some people complain that Hollywood glorifies violence. Alternative treatments like this, which sort of discourage violence, might serve to answer those complaints.
What do you think?
I'm not a screenwriter, just a viewer of movies and TV shows. I have an idea about a non-cliche way I'd like to see violence handled on-screen.
Aside from murder investigation and crime scene shows, it seems like there is little treatment of the aftermath of violent assault and battery. Shows often depict someone being punched/kicked/etc, but I haven't noticed much exploration of the legal, financial, and social consequences that should/could realistically happen.
How often do you see an on-screen attacker later being served with papers for a lawsuit in small claims court?
How often do you see the victim (an acquaintance of the attacker) seeking a restraining order, thereby forcing the attacker out of all social circles that the two have in common?
Could the victim, and/or maybe the attacker, be depicted as experiencing chronic pain or other long-lasting health problems?
Imagine the attacker trying to explain his actions in court, and feeling shame.
Suppose the attacker is enrolled in any martial arts programs, like in that old movie The Karate Kid. Imagine depicting the people in charge of those programs being informed that a student used his/her fighting skills illegally. You could depict the dojo master/sensei either expelling the attacker from their classes or at least punishing that person.
If an especially dangerous or violent attack happens between students at a school, you could show the attacker being expelled. Then explore the social and academic disruptions that result.
One problem would happen if the two parties are underaged. Maybe the victim's parents would have to sue the attacker's parents, have to get the restraining order on their child's behalf, etc, because minors cannot represent themselves in court? In any case, parents would be depicted as being motivated enough to get involved.
I don't believe these ideas would be a main theme/topic in a show. They would be included in an incidental way.
Some people complain that Hollywood glorifies violence. Alternative treatments like this, which sort of discourage violence, might serve to answer those complaints.
What do you think?
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