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Lecture 12:Lecture 12:Writing Strategies / Writing Strategies / More on ExpositionMore on Exposition

Professor Christopher Bradley

The Invisible Man (1933)

Screenplay by R. C. Sherriff, based on the novel by H.G. Wells

Previous LessonPrevious Lesson• Dramatic Irony

• Scene Analysis

– Define the Conflict

– Note Opening Value

– Break into Beats

– Compare Closing & Opening Values

– Locate the Turning Point

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Tootsie (1982)

Screenplay by Murray Schisgal and Larry Gelbart

Based on a story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart

This LessonThis Lesson• Exposition

– The Facts

– Furthering the Conflict

– Action and Revelation

– Flashbacks and Dreams

– Montages

– Voiceover Narration3

Ordinary People (1982)

Screenplay by Alvin Sargent

based on the novel by Judith Guest

This Lesson (Continued)This Lesson (Continued)• A Writer’s Method

– PLAN!

– Write From the Inside Out

– Story to Step Outline to Treatment

• Assignments

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Casablanca (1942)

Screenplay by

Julius J. Epstein and Phillip G. Epstein and Howard Koch

Based on the play Everyone Comes to Rick’s

by Murray Bennett and Joan Alison

ExpositionExposition

5Lesson 12: Part I

Ordinary People (1982)

Screenplay by Alvin Sargent

Based on the novel by Judith Guest

Exposition (2)Exposition (2)

• The Facts

• Furthering the Conflict

• Action and Revelation

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Ordinary People (1982)

Screenplay by Alvin Sargent

Based on the novel by Judith Guest

Exposition (3)Exposition (3)

• Flashbacks and Dreams

• Montages

• Voiceover Narration

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CasablancaCasablanca Clip Clip

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Casablanca (1942)

Screenplay by

Julius J. Epstein and Phillip G. Epstein and Howard Koch

Based on the play Everyone Comes to Rick’s

by Murray Bennett and Joan Alison

• Pause the lecture and watch the clip from Casablanca.

Casablanca Casablanca Clip (2)Clip (2)

• This scene turns on Action

– Conflict:

• “I want to explain myself.”

• “I want to punish you.”

– We learn:

• That Rick was left at the train station

• That Ilsa had an important relationship before even knowing Rick

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Ordinary PeopleOrdinary People Clip Clip

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Ordinary People (1982)

Screenplay by Alvin Sargent

based on the novel by Judith Guest

• Pause the lecture and watch the clip from Ordinary People.

Ordinary People Ordinary People Clip (2)Clip (2)

• There are three scenes. Notice:

– How the conflict is furthered

– How, through the conflict what facts we learn in each scene

– Whether the scenes turn on Action or Revelation

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Ordinary People Ordinary People Clip (3)Clip (3)

• The first scene turns on Action.

– Flashback: Calvin loses his footing because of the jumble of conflicting thoughts assaulting him.

– Furthering the Conflict: It’s clear he won’t be able to continue this way. The conflict is damaging him, his marriage and his son.

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Ordinary People Ordinary People Clip (4)Clip (4)

• The second scene turns on Revelation: “I’m here to talk about myself.”

– Conflict:

• “I don’t believe in psychiatry.”

• “I refuse to look at this problem honestly.”

– We learn:

• That Beth always favored Buck

• That she won’t forgive Conrad

• That Beth is not affectionate to Calvin13

Ordinary People Ordinary People Clip (5)Clip (5)

• The third scene turns on both Action and Revelation

– Conflict:

• “I want you to look at what your behavior means.”

• “I don’t want to look at what my behavior means.”

– We learn:

• That Calvin’s doubts are not new

• How Beth deals with conflict

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A Writer’s MethodA Writer’s Method

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Diabolique (1955)

Screenplay by Jerome Geronimi and

H.G. Clouzot and Frederic Grendel and Rene Masson

Based on the novel Celle Qui N'était Plus by Boileau and Narcejac

Writing from Inside OutWriting from Inside Out

• As opposed to writing from the outside in: In short, don’t do it!

• Research, journaling in character, clarifying your story, being clear about goals, themes and subplots, all of these will make your writing faster and a more joyous experience.

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Story Story Step Outline Step Outline Treatment Treatment

• First, know your story!

– Logline: Be able to tell it in three or four sentences

– What are the goals of your main characters?

– What are the stakes if these goals aren’t reached?

– What is the climax of each act? Of the entire story?

– Work backward from your climax to discover your theme 17

AssignmentsAssignments

18Lesson 12: Part III

Diabolique (1955)

Screenplay by Jerome Geronimi and

H.G. Clouzot and Frederic Grendel and Rene Masson

Based on the novel Celle Qui N'était Plus by Boileau and Narcejac

ReadingReading• Review Chapter 15 in Story, “Exposition”• Read Chapter 19 in Story, “A Writer’s

Method”• Read pages 84-86 in The Screenwriter’s

Bible, “Summoning Your Muse”• Do the Reading Review to be sure you’re

clear on what you’ve read!

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E-Board PostE-Board Post• Post at least one example of exposition in

a film. Say whether you think the exposition was well-done or poorly-done.

• Remember, well-done exposition forwards the conflict first, and gives new information second.

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End of Lecture 12End of Lecture 12

Next Lecture: Transitions

Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Screenplay by Kimberly Peirce & Andy Bienen

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