N.19 | "Jaws" (camera movement for character introduction), ask yourself if your script is smashable plus more

JOURNAL ENTRY

Dec 22, 2024: Christmas is here, but I’m keeping busy. The film school coach wants us to write a script. I’m developing a story and I’m now writing a 2nd draft. The due date is Jan 10, so I’ve got plenty of time to write a 3rd draft and maybe even a 4th.

I love to sit down and write for 1 or 2 hours with jazz or classical music in the background. Writing is magic.

I also have a cinematography assignment from film school, which is recreating at least one shot from a movie. I actually decided to shoot a little scene. I’ve got more time through Christmas and I might be able to pull this off.

The scene is inspired by the film Men (2022), directed by Alex Garland. I’m trying to recreate something similar to this scene and this other scene from the original film.

FILM STORYTELLING

Jaws (camera movement for character introduction)

Very often, how we first meet a character informs us on how we see them for the whole film. How the character is introduced sets expectations of what’s to come.

Let’s take a look at how Steven Spielberg decides to introduce Quint in Jaws (watch 1 min 15 sec clip here).

We are in a busy room. Everyone is talking.

Quint introduces himself by scratching the chalkboard.

Everyone stops talking.

We cut to the faces of the islanders, who look at Quint with despise. Notice how the director moves the camera, which makes the whole character introduction more powerful.

Spielberg decides to reveal the character slowly, with a long dolly. This creates intrigue but it also allows for suspense building. Quint is small at first, and lost in the crowd. To us, the character is just at the same level as anybody else in the crowd.

By the end of the scene though, Quint fills the entire frame — in a medium closeup. This outsider, who knows how to command a room’s attention, is now an important figure. He’s the guy who knows how to catch and kill the shark.

This is not just about camera movement though. The first opening lines of a character in a film are the most important because they establish their personality, their goals, their point of view and more.

Pay attention to what Quint is saying, wearing, and doing. For example, he initially uses the word “bird” instead of “shark” — which tells a lot about the character. He says “I’ll catch this bird for you…”, which makes him sound very nonchalant and ready for action.

TIDBIT I’M PONDERING

Is your script smashable?

In The Craft of Scene Writing, Jim Mercurio uses an interesting analogy on script writing.

Smashable is a term from design and branding that describes something that is immediately recognizable from any point of view. For instance, if you crush a can of Coke, it’ll still be readily identifiable, even from far away.

When the script concept is very well defined, a short glance at almost any scene of the film will lead back to the main concept. A viewer starting to watch the film at any given moment should be able to understand the film’s premise instantly.

You do that, and you’re a step closer to being a good screenwriter.

For instance, take Memento by Christopher Nolan. If you watch the transition from any sequence to the next, you will instantly understand that the story is being told backwards. You’ll also understand pretty quickly that the main character has problems with his memory.

Source: From The Craft of Scene Writing by Jim Mercurio (paraphrased and/or quoted).

FILM STORYTELLING

Ghost in the Shell (analogous color scheme example)

Analogous colors are hues that sit close to each other on the color wheel. These colors are often found in nature.

These hues don’t stand out from one another and don’t clash with each other. One color can be chosen to dominate, and the others to support or to accent.

When you put these colors together, you achieve a harmonious, soothing and relaxing picture.