Script-of-the-week: Michael Clayton

Written by Tony Gilroy (127 pages)

Nominated for a 2008 Oscar for best writing, screenplay written directly for the screen.

Points of interest:

• Pacing: Quick and natural. The story moves along and develops at an enjoyable pace.
• Screen Visibility: High. I was able to create a strong image in my head (although previously seeing the film)and follow the action.
• Formatting: Stylized. I would say this script looks very sharp and is formatted in a way that adds a lot of "movement" to the pages. Well done. I especially liked the extensive use of dashes and ellipsis.

Recommended for writers who want to witness real style in action.