Comments on: Writing Screenplays That Matter http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/writing-screenplays-that-matter/2007/09/19/ Insider screenwriting stories, plus occasional stuff on how to write a screenplay, by Phil Gladwin Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:09:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Amz http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/writing-screenplays-that-matter/2007/09/19/#comment-402 Amz Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:53:28 +0000 http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/19/writing-screenplays-that-matter/#comment-402 You have a fair point about the news Aaron, although I'm not sure if it's the government that sets the media's agenda. And also, that mentality you talk about, of people dismissing films as "not real", is very interesting to me. There's a lot of stage plays which incorporate current realities into the plot (most of David Hare's plays, famously "Stuff Happens"), and also a resurgence of verbatim theatre/documentary dramas which are compiled from interviews which are then performed (Moises Kaufman's "The Laramie Project" for example). And biopics (as a film genre) as well. Personally I think I appreciate more fiction than fact in entertainment, but I believe documentary/fact-based works have a place as well. You have a fair point about the news Aaron, although I’m not sure if it’s the government that sets the media’s agenda. And also, that mentality you talk about, of people dismissing films as “not real”, is very interesting to me.

There’s a lot of stage plays which incorporate current realities into the plot (most of David Hare’s plays, famously “Stuff Happens”), and also a resurgence of verbatim theatre/documentary dramas which are compiled from interviews which are then performed (Moises Kaufman’s “The Laramie Project” for example). And biopics (as a film genre) as well.

Personally I think I appreciate more fiction than fact in entertainment, but I believe documentary/fact-based works have a place as well.

]]> By: Aaron Aadamson http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/writing-screenplays-that-matter/2007/09/19/#comment-329 Aaron Aadamson Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:57:16 +0000 http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/19/writing-screenplays-that-matter/#comment-329 I like the idea of engaging our social consciences. For this to happen in a meaningful way you almost have to go to a documentary format, I think. All my friends and family can so easily dismiss any other type of movie with the standard put-off “It’s just a Movie; it’ not real.” Unless, it is a documentary, and even then, they know that propaganda can enter into the process and you still don’t know if you want to believe the author’s message. I know that I myself am very skeptical about the news we get and know for certain that our own government is not above making up stuff--ridiculous emotional stuff--and feeding it to us as honest to goodness “News.” Now, there’s a subject for a movie. I like the idea of engaging our social consciences. For this to happen in a meaningful way you almost have to go to a documentary format, I think. All my friends and family can so easily dismiss any other type of movie with the standard put-off “It’s just a Movie; it’ not real.” Unless, it is a documentary, and even then, they know that propaganda can enter into the process and you still don’t know if you want to believe the author’s message. I know that I myself am very skeptical about the news we get and know for certain that our own government is not above making up stuff–ridiculous emotional stuff–and feeding it to us as honest to goodness “News.” Now, there’s a subject for a movie.

]]> By: deirdre http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/writing-screenplays-that-matter/2007/09/19/#comment-93 deirdre Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:45:33 +0000 http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/19/writing-screenplays-that-matter/#comment-93 I hear ya. I think the public on the whole is more eager than ever (or at least the last little ever)to be 'entertained' w/ real-life & politics, especially when it engages our social conscience. I hear ya. I think the public on the whole is more eager than ever (or at least the last little ever)to be ‘entertained’ w/ real-life & politics, especially when it engages our social conscience.

]]> By: Frankk http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/writing-screenplays-that-matter/2007/09/19/#comment-92 Frankk Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:15:16 +0000 http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/19/writing-screenplays-that-matter/#comment-92 Oh, yes, completely agree - I like a bit of entertainment, me - and I've spent the last decade working on stuff for entertainment's sake. I suppose I was just reflecting on how it felt to have written something with even the slightest political agenda. An unusual experience for me! Room for both, as you say. Oh, yes, completely agree - I like a bit of entertainment, me - and I’ve spent the last decade working on stuff for entertainment’s sake. I suppose I was just reflecting on how it felt to have written something with even the slightest political agenda. An unusual experience for me! Room for both, as you say.

]]> By: deirdre http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/writing-screenplays-that-matter/2007/09/19/#comment-91 deirdre Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:45:21 +0000 http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/19/writing-screenplays-that-matter/#comment-91 Yes you're right about screenplays that matter, very very, I've thought of this over and over, but I just wanted to come back to say that surely entertainment too has its place. Those very teens whose lives you are documenting, don't they once in awhile really need to sit in front of a tv (or book or radio) and simply escape into a world of pure story? Certainly you know that, and thankfully there's room for both. Bravo on your work Mr F, I hope it flies & does even a little of what you hope for. Yes you’re right about screenplays that matter, very very, I’ve thought of this over and over, but I just wanted to come back to say that surely entertainment too has its place.

Those very teens whose lives you are documenting, don’t they once in awhile really need to sit in front of a tv (or book or radio) and simply escape into a world of pure story?

Certainly you know that, and thankfully there’s room for both. Bravo on your work Mr F, I hope it flies & does even a little of what you hope for.

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