Script-of-the-Week: Buffy the Vampire Slayer “School Hard”

by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt (58 pages)

Awards: None that I could find.

Points of Interest:

• Pacing: Act one pacing is adequate ending in threat of death for Buffy. Act two ends on another cliffhanger with Buffy’s angry mom waiting in the car while Spike has shown up early to kill Buffy. Act three is action heavy but ends on a strong cliffhanger with someone about the hit Buffy in the back of the head with an ax.

• Screen Visibility: Minimal, except for scenes described as scenes from other movies or events.

• Formatting: Good use of visual direction. “[Spike is] closer and closer....and suddenly gone.” As in previous scripts, Whedon writes action and offers asides to the reader for more information.

• Dialogue: Distinct for most characters by using dialogue/vocabulary that is distinct for that personality type.

• Action: Threatening comment made by Principal Snyder “registers” with Buffy. This is a good way to relay understanding with the character for whom the comment is intended. The comment can also “register less so/more so” with other characters. References to other movies (Gross Point Blank and Thelma & Louise) help to create a strong visual when telling the story.

• Act Structure: TEASER, ACT ONE, ACT TWO, ACT THREE, ACT FOUR. Approximately 86 Scenes (give or take additions and omissions)

Note: Nothing additional this week.