Forgery with White and Sheridan

Topic · 1 minute

The White Lotus (Drama)

THE WHITE LOTUS is an intense, and intensely stylish drama series. Characters are rich and recognisable – although not always relatable to everyone – and maximum dramatic effect is achieved with minimal production means.

But what does this look like on the page?

When you copy a page from a film or show, and you find something like “SMASH CUT”, don’t think every other page of the script is going to include a transition like this.

In fact, transitions are not usually your business. They’re the director’s. So if you choose to include them, do it sparsely, and … spell it correctly.

(Feel free to correct Mike White’s typo.)

Those Who Wish Me Dead (Action)

This scrippet is a clear example of an action sequence. Before you start the work, ask yourself “What genre traits are essential for an action film?”

The next question: “How do you expect this to be evoked on the page?” Make a list!

If you’re confused by the blue page, it’s a production revision. No need to worry about this until 1) your script is sold, 2) the film is greenlit, and 3) you’re hired to write revisions.

If you’re using Final Draft – which you should – you will know that the asterisks in the margin are revision marks. You may safely ignore them during the copying work.

Now see to what extent today’s scrippet matches your expectations… And what other elements do you find in the scrippet that you had not anticipated?

Write it down in your script journal.

Did you know…

The script for THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD is a rare adaptation written by Taylor Sheridan, whose work is mostly original. Around the same time this film hit the cinemas during the pandemic, his Michael B. Jordan vehicle WITHOUT REMORSE – then his only other adaptation – premiered on Amazon Prime.

What jumps out for you?