Hey Peeps! Hope you’ve had a hell of a start to your new year and you haven’t given up on those resolutions yet! I’m joking, I know you have.
What I’m working on? Finishing touches on a teleplay, outlining a new feature.
What I’m reading? The Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway.
What my dog is doing? Running her little crackhead loop in the backyard and chasing lizards. Tried to lick a bee. Bee did not appreciate. They are not friends.
Okay, let’s rock:
One of the best character introductions/descriptions I have read from any script comes from Tony Gilroy’s masterpiece, Michael Clayton, which went on to star that guy you probably never heard of, George Clooney.
And yes, Tony Gilroy is one of the greatest screenwriters of all time. Fact.
I read this screenplay years ago, as it’s somewhat dated; I think it was 2007. (not gonna look; just going with it) but was re-introduced to it and these descriptions from Paul Guyot’s Kill The Dog, which is an excellent book. If you have read the cat book…forget it and read this one instead. Anyways, I digress…
This script has a couple of great writing samples pertaining to introductions/descriptions. Let’s start with Michel Clayton himself.
Enjoy:
I know. It’s badass.
Okay, let’s check out another. This is arguably my favorite quick and dirty introduction…
Boom. That’s it. Simple, terse, and just explosive. You wouldn’t have to read any other part of the story to know what or who Marty Bach is about. And c’mon, “A velvet switchblade.” You know that’s just one of those lines when Gilroy typed out he sat back and reread a few times like “Yeah, I’m good. I’m really good.”
I encourage you (because Guyot does!) to read Michael Clayton. It's such a great read, and the writing is just refreshing. Here’s the link:
MICHAEL CLAYTON SCREENPLAY BY TONY GILROY
And that’s all folks! I have to pump out a draft today. Time to get them fingers clicking away.
A New Short Story Post is coming in hot this week, so be on the lookout.
Thanks for stopping by and hanging with me today. I’ll catch you on the flip side.