Finished Cloverfield

[movieguyjon]

Thought I would introduce myself (howdy y'all) to the forum by discussing the script I just finished reading - Cloverfield. I had seen the movie pretty much when it came out, but only recently got ahold of the script during one Go Into The Story's Script Reading & Analysis posts. I quite liked the way the script was written and Goddard used a particular technique that intrigued me.

A character would say or do something, and then the response action text would go something like this:

"She raises her eyebrows -- are you kidding me?"

It's just a small touch but it tells me pretty much EVERYTHING about that moment and how the character reacts. I've definitely taken note as I write, re-write, and write more of my own stuff.

The rest of the script pretty much follows in line with the way the movie plays out, so I'm guessing it was a later draft. There were some OMITTED moments that had me curious, but they were probably removed for good reason.

I know a bunch of people who weren't too impressed with the film, but I think it holds up well and the script was a super fun read. Was there anything that stood out to you guys about this script? Have you read it yet? Have you read other stuff from Drew Goddard?

Finally, howdy!

[Patrick Sweeney]

Re: Finished Cloverfield

Welcome! Cloverfield's one of my favorite movies - love giant monsters. I like the script a lot, too. I find it's a really good exercise to read the script while viewing the film to see exactly how much or how little of the detail on the screen is in the writing - most of the time, it just reinforces how few words on the page you actually need to get across even a big crazy scene of monsters and tanks and toppling buildings and panicking mobs and...

[movieguyjon]

Re: Finished Cloverfield

I'm not sure reading along while watching the film would work all that well for me, as I tend to get wrapped up 100% in whatever I'm watching. Still, I can imagine it's neat to see the words translate to screen.

I was also impressed with the brisk pace of the script. Even in the slower moments the script never felt like it was dragging. I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two from this.

[Patrick Sweeney]

Re: Finished Cloverfield

Well, I wouldn't do it (reading the script with the film) the first time I saw a movie. I do strongly suggest it, though - with any script, not just Cloverfield. Even if you're kind of dubious, I think you'll be amazed how much you learn by immediately seeing how the words translate to the screen - how much is there in the script, and how much isn't, what the writer chooses to emphasize & how it changes the scene, etc. It's a real education in the mechanics of screenwriting, especially.