Movie script analysis examples and techniques used by professional writers to improve your script.
Here’s a scoop on our script analysis process and some of the techniques our professional screenwriters use.
These screenplay analysis tips are designed to simplify confusing screenwriting advice. We’ve also included some practical exercises we recommend screenwriters use to improve their screenwriting.
Best of all, you’ll learn how to do it yourself DIY movie script analysis Apply our techniques to your own scripts. So let’s dive right in.
Concept: Film Script Analysis Example.
One of the most common problems we find is that the initial concept isn’t strong enough. In our script analysis, we focus on reinforcing this concept by breaking it down into Three simple elements:
Protagonist + Struggle with opponents + Death stakes
The reason so many concepts/outlines fail is that they miss one of the three steps in the equation.
Examples of screenplay analysis of well-known movies.
• bridesmaid. “Pastry chef has bad luck [protagonist] Conflict with feisty bridesmaid [struggle with antagonist] While also trying to fulfill her duties as a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding. [death stakes]
• Birdman. “A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero
[protagonist] Fighting with his ego, family and actor [struggle with antagonist] A Broadway play was also staged in an effort to revive his career. [death stakes]
• World War Z. “A United Nations employee [protagonist] Race across the world and race against time to stop the zombie pandemic and destroy armies and governments, [struggle with antagonist] and threatens to destroy humanity itself. [death stakes]
We use the following movie script analysis tips to reinforce concepts: Make sure it contains these three elements.
Most notably it contains “Death Bet”– Send the message to the audience that if your protagonist doesn’t succeed, he will die (either literally or figuratively).
Topic: Examples of movie script analysis.
A very simple way to express the theme of your screenplay is to think of it in terms of your protagonist’s character arc. In other words, it is a manifestation of their transformation from a flawed individual into a more well-rounded individual. (Or the other way around, depending on the story.)
This arc can be plotted using a traditional three-act structure, as follows:
• Act 1: The protagonist is unaware of this theme and unconsciously resists it.
• Act 2: Their experience brings them closer to understanding the subject matter, and their resistance decreases.
• Act 3: They eventually realize the truth behind the theme’s message and fully embrace it.
Examples of script analysis.
• sideways“If you want to be ready for love, you have to be emotionally mature.” Myers didn’t notice the message at first, but eventually learned to accept it.
• Fa Ge. “Money can’t buy happiness.” At the beginning of the movie, Jerry didn’t realize that money can’t buy happiness. He eventually realizes this when his plan goes awry and he is sent to prison.
• this shining. “Past mistakes are bound to be repeated because human nature is inherently flawed.” Jack didn’t realize the news at first, but finally succumbed.
No matter how well written it is, if it doesn’t have a strong theme, the script will always feel like “something is missing.”
That’s why our script analysis places a strong emphasis on depicting the script’s themes through the protagonist’s role transformation.
Scenario: An example of movie script analysis.
If you believe that other screenplay analysis “experts” must have opposing views on protagonists and villains, you’re putting yourself at a serious disadvantage.
In fact, the best way to write a scene is to put aside what your characters are thinking and what they want, and instead focus on what you think.
In other words, your thoughts should not be dictated by the goals of the protagonist in the scene. But simply put it’s all about how best to reveal key messages to your audience.
Think of each scene as a mini-scene information block The audience needs to know what’s going on. Then, your approach would be: “What’s the best way to present this character to an audience?”
Or, “What’s the best way to show the audience how the plot progresses?” Ideally, you’d like to do both, but it might be easier to stick to one or the other the first time you draw a scene.
Examples of script analysis.
• (500) summer. In the second half of the film, screenwriters Scott Neustadt and Michael H. Weber wanted to show Tom having difficulty making new friends after breaking up with Summer.
They came up with a scenario where Tom goes for a walk with a date and tells her in advance that nothing is going to happen. In a restaurant, he complains about summer to her and then sings some angry karaoke. His date left.
• road to destruction. Early in the film, screenwriter David Self wanted to show the audience that Michael Sullivan Jr. was obsessed with his father’s profession – gun-toting.
Here’s the scenario he came up with: Michael Sullivan Jr.’s mother asked him to pick up his father. He stopped at the end of the hallway and watched from a distance as his father emptied his pockets… including a gun. Michael stepped forward and said, “Dinner is ready.” His father acknowledged this without looking up.
• The Blair Witch Project. Near the end of the movie, screenwriters Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez wanted to show that Josh might be dead, while also making Heather and Mike aware of it.
Here’s the scenario they came up with: Heather and Mike wake up to find a bundle of sticks in front of their tent. Heather initially threw it away, but then went back to take a look… and found a bag inside containing bloody human teeth.
Perform a more in-depth script analysis of the scene.
So it’s best to approach the scene by figuring out which aspect of the character or plot you want revealed to the audience. Then engineer (or rewrite) the scene to clearly show it.
Of course, often the best way to demonstrate this is through conflict. One character wants something and another character is against it. But it’s best to know what you want exhibit First is the audience.
If a scene doesn’t make sense, it’s not a matter of cutting the scene (although that may also be true). Scenario problem.
It’s okay to think about what to expect when you first write a scene, but ultimately you need to know Why it’s happening. If you don’t really show the audience Jenny’s attitude towards the homeless. Or maybe Gavin just screwed up his one chance at making the football team, then the scene might have been cut.
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These are just three of the movie script analysis techniques we use because we think they’re the most important.
You won’t find us beginning script reports with a paragraph explaining why the script’s title should have a comma (we received an actual complaint from a writer about feedback they received from another consulting firm.)
We dive into what works, what doesn’t, and how to fix it.
You can also learn more about script hackwhich contains more script analysis tips below.
Like this article? Read more posts related to script analysis…
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Script Coverage Example: How to Know What Your Readers Are Looking for
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