Step 1: Mastery of Drama and Action
Topic · 1 minute
V For Vendetta (Drama)
Today’s drama Mastery focuses on Action/Description with V FOR VENDETTA.
With all the practice you had, I know you’ll do a great job. In fact, you’ll do a better job than the screenwriters, as they took some excessive liberties, if you ask me. You’ll see what I mean when you compare your work.
In the segment, we see Natalie Portman (Evey) wake up in V’S GUEST BEDROOM, and exploring the surrounds, to end near a juke box.
The video runs for 75 seconds, but the script fills barely a page.
By now you may have figured out from reading screenplays and studying scrippets, that description typically stays under the one-page-per-minute ratio, while dialogue causes the page count to blow out. Ask Aaron Sorkin…
Breaking Bad (Action)
WARNING: Violent scenes – may disturb sensitive viewers.
For fans of BREAKING BAD, this sequence from episode 3.07, titled ONE MINUTE, was unforgettable. It follows a suspenseful build-up, in which HANK is warned that he will be attacked by 2 men, and that he has only 1 minute to escape.
When the men appear, we recognise THE COUSINS.
The episode was written by Thomas Schnauz, and directed by Michelle MacLaren. Both are incredibly talented storytellers, and since BREAKING BAD, both have delivered equally excellent work on other highly prestigious TV shows.
The challenge for you is to transcribe the excitement, suspense and adrenaline of the screen action onto the page.
The finished TV sequence takes longer than 1 minute and more than 1 page. But the clip you will transcribe (1:08 min) covers exactly 1 page in the script, and is written in a strongly emotional POV-style.
Can you do the same?