Script-of-the-Week:Frasier “Midwinter Night’s Dream”

by Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett Giordano (57 pages)

Points of Interest:

• Pacing: Quick dialogue driven scenes with minimal action from the actors. Act 1 finished in 25 pages.

• Screen Visibility: Minimal for most scene. Specific details for a scene set in Niles’ conservatory. Presumably the first time we’ve seen this. Also nice description of Frasier in the window like Dustin Hoffman from “The Graduate”.

• Formatting: Standard action and dialogue with one section allowing for an ad lib scene.

• Act Structure: Act 1, Scenes A, B, C. Act 2, Scenes D, E, (no F, G), H, (no I), J, K, L, (no M), N.

Recommendation: I’m not entirely sure, but I believe this must have been a two part episode. I also noted several scenes have been omitted. For screenwriters creating a longer episode and want to appreciate how scenes may be taken out either due to timing or storyline. Also note the story transpires over 4 nights.