script-of-the-week: Good Will Hunting

by Matt Damon & Ben Affleck (122 pages)

Won a 1998 Oscar for Best Writing (for the screen)

Main points:

1. Well crafted dialogue - feels/sounds natural with strong beats.
2. High Drama with great jokes and humorous moments.
3. Character development is concrete - main characters are defined with clear arcs.
4. Action is realistic.
5. Story has a lot of love and emoition (the writers are clearly pussies)
6. Most Scenes (but not all) can be clearly "interpreted" for the screen.

I would recommend this script for all writers.

Script-of-the-week: Groundhog Day

written by Danny Rubin/ Second Revision by Harold Ramis 

January 7, 1992

Bill Murray plays a dislikable character who grows on us over time.

Key points:

1. Page turner - action keeps moving.
2. Great dramatic build up with many humorous moments.
3. Reads like it was scripted for Murray.
4. Effective use of time: passes quickly & trains audiences to know what they are missing.
5. Recommended for Romantic Comedy Writers.
6. Only a few characters but plays like there are many more.

Script-of-the-week: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

by Joss Whedon (approx. 123 pgs.)

My copy was clearly re-written since it was full of typos but enjoyable all the same.  Here are my notes:

1. Pacing was a little slow in the beginning but picked up over time.
2. Main characters are well defined with a few supporting characters appearing to be less clear.
3. Emotion builds up and fulfills its objective by the end.
4. Although written before Legally Blonde it could be describe as LG with Vampires.
5. A good mix of horror and comedy with some very funny moments.
6. Although the teenage dialogue is dated I imagine it was appropriate for the time.

I would recommend this script for all screenwriters and especially those looking to improve their comedic writing.