A film blog for students of my classes at Santa Clara University. Use this blog to discuss the films we are studying, classic films, current releases or production issues you encounter while making your own films.
Sunday, February 07, 2016
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check - for Comm 130B
Read Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check and answer the following:
1. Does the script follow the Hollywood or Independent model? Why? Give examples
2. Do you like or dislike this screenplay? Why?
23 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I believe that the script follows the Hollywood model. The script has a plot: Earl, a 41-year-old man and the main character, has a crush on Maybelline but he he does not know how to express his feelings to her. We know the goal of the MC, Earl, he wants to tell Maybelline how he feels, but he does not know how. The goal is attainable from the perspective of the reader, but it seems very difficult for Earl to accomplish--there is a possibility against the adversity. During his troubles, numerous people try to give Earl advice on how to express his feelings. His confidence begins to change after having a talk with Mr. Sasser who tells Eric to be a doer, not a thinker. Those words resinated with Earl and he eventually expresses his feelings to Maybelline by singing a song that he wrote. At that point Earl becomes a hero of sorts.
I liked the screenplay because it is relatable. Many of us had gone through Earl's struggle of trying to express feelings towards a love interest. You get to follow Earl's trails as he gets to his goal. What I also liked about the screenplay was that there are some parts when the story becomes humorous. For instance when Jerome asks Earl to practice on a peach or when a Pest Control Man tells Eric to use a chainsaw to get to a girl's heart.
The script follows the Hollywood model for a number of reasons. First, the screenplay has a can- do character, which is Earl. Earl’s goal is to profess his love to Maybelline. Although he’s not really a smooth talker and tends to be clumsy, he manages to win her heart. Second, it follows the Hollywood model because there’s a strong use of plot. The plot is Earl getting the courage to finally telling Maybelline how he feels about her. All of the scenes work around this plot which then amplifies Earl’s character. This screenplay shows how eager he is to tell her and how desperate he is for advice on how to tell her. Third, the script shows the triumph of the character over adversity. Despite his awkwardness, competition, and peer pressure to lower his standards, he’s able to achieve his goal. In addition, it shows a transformation. Earl transforms from a thinker to a doer. At first, he’s thinking of using the same line that he had used in the past for another girl. He’s also unsure of himself which makes him ask advice from multiple people. By the end of the story, he acts like himself and successfully expresses his love for her through his song. Throughout the screenplay, we see him as the underdog and undesirable compared to country star, Curtis.
I enjoyed this screenplay because it had a very simple plot, yet it still had me wanting to read more. I was eager to find out if he ever gets the courage to talk to Maybelline. I also liked how Thomas Jackson uses “show, don’t tell.” We can sense Earl’s nervousness every time Maybelline is near. Some examples of this would be when he accidentally drops the polaroid picture of her, falls over, and knocks over the bottle of honey. Lastly, I liked how Thomas Jackson uses multiple supporting characters who give Earl a variety of advice. This made the screenplay relatable and humorous because, like Earl, we go to peers, acquaintances, and friends for advice when we are in a tricky situation. The screenplay makes it evident that sometimes the advice we receive isn’t always the best.
This screen play follows the Hollywood model. First and foremost, the protagonist is a can-do character, Earl. We follow Earl through out the whole script trying to figure out how to accomplish his goal, win a girl's heart. The strong use of plot to further the story along also tells us that this is the Hollywood model. The plot in this story was for Earl, a clumsy, socially awkward misfit, to tell his employee, Maybelline, that he loves her. The plot is simple, but each scene helps Earl get closer and closer to his goal. This also shows how the main character overcomes adversity. Although he is awkward and a bit strange, Earl still gets the girl in the end. This girl could have been with a rising country star, but instead chose Earl, which to the audience, seems like a daunting task for Earl to accomplish. He overcomes this adversity by a change from being a thinker to being a doer. This change in Earl's persona allowed him to reveal his feelings for Maybelline and accomplish his goal. I think this even transitions Earl's character into a hero because he accomplished something the audience wouldn't have thought possible.
I liked this script because personally, I love a good underdog story. I think stories like this are easy to connect and resonate with the main character. Even if you aren't as extreme as Earl, there has to be something people are self conscious about and seeing someone overcome that adversity is always entertaining. Rooting for the underdog and seeing them succeed is very fulfilling for me. I also liked that it had a happy ending, although I wish there was more dialogue between Earl and Maybelline to see that he could actually get her in the end. I figured he would (because the story would be unsatisfying without this happy ending), but it's almost a little hard for me to believe that a song turned Maybelline when she didn't want the other musician. If we could tell that Earl really sang from the heart, like Maybelline mentioned about Elvis, then I suppose that could be more believable. I would love to see this actually produced, if it's out there somewhere!
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check seems to follow the Hollywood model for a number of different reasons. One of the features of this Hollywood model is a can do character, in this case it's the main character Earl. Earl is head over heels in love with his co-worker Maybelline, but doesn't know how to express his true love for her. He's tragic in the sense that he's so helplessly in love with her, and she doesn't seem to have a clue. There is also a strong use of plot in the screenplay. Action rises and falls throughout the screenplay and Earl, along with the other characters, reveal deeper character layer as it progresses. This is a story of triumph. Earl never thought he could get the girl especially since he's competing mainly against a rising country star, but in the end the under dog wins the girl. He transforms from a bumbling idiot talking about "menstruation napkins"with a grandma, to slow dancing with the girl of his dreams. Earl effectively turns himself into a hero even though he is constantly brought down by the nagging and insults of others that he works with. These various elements, are the core to what makes this a Hollywood model.
Overall, I really liked this screenplay. The whole time I was reading I felt like shaking my head because Earl seems so incredibly hopeless, but by the end you can't help have a smile on your face because the underdog got the girl. It's a story that everyone wants to hear. Being able to fall in love and live happily ever after with the girl/guy of their dreams. It's hard not to relate to it because it gives us a sense of hope that maybe this successful love life will be in our own future. The screenplay for me was a success because it concluded with the ending the audience was hoping for.
The screenplay follows a Hollywood Model, but it's not too apparent. 1) Earl is a can do character with a goal. Just because he lacks the confidence to quickly follow through and express his feelings for Mayebelline (as we see in the beginning when he falls on the office ground) doesn't mean he's not be proactive about expressing his feelings. He asks a lot of people for their advice and practices taking it, from the butchers to the produce man. 2) Although subtle, the plot is Earl working to get the girl. Every scene and line leads up to the conflict, including facing a ridiculing cousin and accidentally locking him in the freezer just to get him to shut up. 3) The voice of the film celebrates triumph over adversity. Although the screenplay focused on Earl's journey, the screenplay's purpose was to have Earl come out victorious, which he did when Mayebelline starts seeing him differently. 4) Earl becomes the hero by sticking to his strengths by playing and singing her a song at the very end.
I didn't like the script. Although I admire it for being simple and relatable, it was almost too plain. When I didn't understand the humor, like when the produce man told Earl to practice on the peach, I lost interest quickly. However, I did learn that it is truly possible to write such a short screen play efficiently and effectively.
The script follows the Hollywood model. Earl is a can-do character who believes today is his time to step up and show Maybelline how he feels. Earl is often challenged in his quest to show Maybelline his feelings, by doubting himself and from his friends advising him to lower his standards. The script does show a story of transformation as Earl is very shy to talk to Maybelline, but seeks advice on what to say from others. In the end, Earl transforms from a thinker to a doer and sings to Maybelline how he feels and shows triumph over adversity.
I enjoyed reading the script. It was easy to tell where the setting was at and what people were doing by the way the characters were talking. The dialogue is very natural and I also like how the main character achieves his goal.
This screenplay is definitely one that follows the Hollywood Model mostly because there's a clear resolution to the "quest," around which the story revolves. Earl, the main character, reluctantly becomes a "hero" in the story by playing the guitar, which he's never done in front of an audience before. Although playing the guitar isn't Earl's end goal, it helps Maybelline open her eyes to Earl. I also felt that this screenplay depended heavily on the plot because of the montages that furthered the plot and strengthened Earl's will to confess his feelings to Maybelline. I really liked this screenplay because the voice of each character was so specific and personalized. Elements of comedy were present here and there as well, some of which actually made me laugh out loud. Maybelline's line, "Damn, Earl, I just asked a question. You don't have to look at me like I pissed in your cornflakes," was just perfect in conveying Maybelline's normally strong, sassy character when juxtaposed with Earl's courage-lacking character.
I would argue that this script followed the Hollywood model. If we were to follow the points of the Hollywood model we would see that they all apply. First he has to be a can do character. While this isn't clear at first, when he is self conscious a meek, the story revolves around him becoming a can "doer not a thinker." Then we have the plot that dynamically challenges Earl. This is apparent in many things such as his brother's harping or his more serious internal struggle. Falling over and being unable to bend or get up, his brother's terrible suggestions, his inability to express himself all cause points of action. These things create points of conflict that have to be overcome so Earl "can show his inner peach." The next step, a focus on action, is largely internal in this case. While there is some physical humor, the action is his decision to tell Maybelline his feelings and overcome the obstacles that appear once he decides to do so. The voice of possibility over adversity here is also readily apparent. Earl is made up to be all sorts of unattractive and going up against a rising country star for this girls heart. It looks like a fight he has no hope of winning, but as he gets closer and closer to telling her his feelings we see holes in her armor that make it seem possible that she would choose Earl. The main character becomes a hero in the sense that he overcomes his internal conflict, the excessive inability to express his feelings. While the majority of the conflict is internal there is a clear plot, goal, and progression that allow us to think of Earl as a heroic in his situation, when a story feels like this, it's Hollywood. At first I didn't like the screenplay. I was terribly bored, what else could I say, we were placed in the middle of nowhere redneck land. Most of the character spoke in ways that were foreign and annoying to me, but then I started to like it anyway. The initial suffering was a necessity to be immersed in the environment. By the end I was rooting for Earl too. While, not my cup of tea, I really enjoyed the quality of the writing that allowed me to be dragged into an unique and mildly absurd environment and feel connected to it.
This screenplay follows the Hollywood Model. The main character, Earl, battles his own self-worth and courage to achieve his goal: expressing his feelings to Maybelline. She is so caught up in the idea of being with the country singer she knew, and her other dream of being a truck driver that she does not see what is right in front of her. There is a clear conflict, and the actions set up the conclusion to this conflict. Earl embodies the Hollywood model's 'can do main character' trait, and we follow the plot of him finding his courage. There is also a deeper character layer to this film, where even in the short amount of time we see characters, there is a solid understanding of each of them and their relationships. Earl is clearly the hero in this screenplay, and overcomes his adversity in the end.
I liked this screenplay, but at times I found it hard to follow due to vernacular. I think it would have been easier for me, personally, to understand this film had I actually seen it instead of reading it. However, I liked the imagery and different metaphors and parallels throughout it.
This screenplay definitely follows the Hollywood Model. The main character, Earl, has a goal he sets out to achieve. Earl wants Maybelline, and his focus throughout the whole script is finding a way to tell her how he feels. The obstacles Earl faces are Maybelline's distractions, such as the famous country singer and her fixation on adventuring as a truck driver, along with his own debilitating self-conscious nature. At times, it seemed like it would be impossible for Earl to achieve his goal, especially during the scene with the honey, toilet papers and a grandmother looking for sanitary napkins. But, Maybelline laughing at Earl during this part of the story makes the reader (or audience) root for Earl as the underdog and feel a strong hope towards him being successful. When Earl is finally able to express his feelings to Maybelline, through his written song and guitar, there is resolution, focal towards considering the screenplay as following the Hollywood Model. The main character has his happy ending.
I enjoyed reading this screenplay, though the format was a bit confusing to follow. Once I got the hang of understanding that conversations were going on at the same time in different areas of the store, it began to make more sense. I enjoyed this screenplay because it was short, sweet and relatable. I really wanted Earl to come out on top and speak his mind, because I think we all have been in positions where that has been our intentions but we end up backing down out of cowardice.
Slow Dancin’ Down the Aisles of the Quick Check is an example of an Hollywood Model screenplay. The screenplay focuses on the main character, Earl, trying to get the woman he likes. Earl is a can-do character. Though he is not particularly dynamic, he finds success in spite of his limitations. The plot helps to amplify Earl’s character layer. He is challenged and pushed by the other characters as well as his own desires. The symbol of the peach helps develop the depth of Earl. The peach represents one’s true self, a concept that Earl doesn’t understand until the final scene when he’s alone with Maybelline in the market. Additionally, the voice of the script celebrates possibility over adversity because his character transforms and in the end is able to be authentic with a woman. He is an active character because he resolves to go after Maybelline and tell her how he really feels. I enjoyed this screenplay. As a reader, I liked seeing the progression of Earl from timid and weak to becoming more strong and willing to go after what he wants. By the end, he “finds his peach” and is willing to show a genuine side of himself to Maybelline. The quarrel with Gene also adds a little conflict to the script and allows Earl to come to a place where he can choose if he wants to stand up for himself or remain spineless. Each character seemed to have a purpose that helped move the script along. I was also interested in the part where the various characters answer the question of how to get a woman. I had only ever seen this done in more feature-length comedies, so it was a new context to see it in a short film.
I believe this screenplay follows the hollywood model. Unlike an independent model film, the MC (Earl) has an achievable goal towards which he is striving the entire time. The film is moved along by the plot, as Earl tries to approach and win over Maybelline, the woman he loves who is oblivious to his feelings. He faces obstacles along the way, but Earl is a can-do character, and perseveres.
I really enjoyed this screenplay. I liked the humor of Earl's friends in the meat department, the lead up relationship between Maybelline and Earl, and how well fleshed out the story world was. I liked the lead in of Earl trying to tell her "my heart is a song", yet she doesn't truly hear him until he literally sings her a song. I do wish their relationship at the end had been more suggested, less all in. "Slow dancing in the aisles of the quickcheck" is a great name, but the actual slow dancing felt a little forced for me, they don't know each other then he sings and then they're dancing? I wish there had been a little funny scene with Earl promising to take her on a date or something.
After reading through this screenplay I would say that it tends to follow the Hollywood Model. Everything we learned in class abut the Hollywood model is generally followed within the script. The story clearly has a hero, Early who's goal is to express his true love for Maybelline. Earl is a reluctant character because at first he does not want to play the guitar in front of everybody but he eventually does which ends up helping him on his quest and overall goal of telling Maybelline his true feelings. Early clearly has the " can do " attitude that the protagonist is supposed to have in the Hollywood model and there is clearly a structured plot with different character layers throughout the script. Earl is kind of an unexpected hero because he is awkward and does not compare to the rising country star yet still find a way to accomplish his goal.
In general I liked the script but found it hard to read I think solely because I am not used to reading scripts yet. I am still adjusting to reading just dialogue and scene descriptions as opposed to prose.
This screenplay follows the Hollywood Model. First, the screenplay involves a can do character. Earl is a relatable character with a can-do attitude. He is flawed, but successful with his endeavor in the end. Second, this screenplay heavily utilizes plot. The scenes mainly focus on whether or not Earl shares his feelings with Maybelline. Additionally, the plot utilizes triumph over adversity and a transformation of the protagonist.
I really loved the screenplay because it is so relatable.
The script of Slow Dancin' Down The Aisles Of The Quickcheck follows the Hollywood model. Earl is a can-do character who wants to express his love towards Maybelline. He has his own quirks that we are witnessing throughout the screenplay but he still gets away with it. There is a really powerful use of plot in this screen play because everything that goes on revolves around Early achieving his ultimate goal of winning over Maybelline. Readers can clearly understand his passion towards reaching this endpoint. Earl also overcomes a problem, which is his own awkward presentation. Even though Maybelline is clearly out of his league, this does not stop him from pursuing. The reader is constantly rooting for him. Through this difficult task, Earl learns a lot about himself and develops his own personality based off of his differences and is able to physically do what he wants rather than ruminate about it. At the end of the screenplay, I really began to see his transformation not externally but internally. Even though Curtis is being compared to him throughout the story, his quirks and differences make him unique and special. It is at the end when he truly begins to understand that. Through his individual approach, his is able to come out on top and successfully achieve his goal.
I liked the screen play although I found myself becoming bored at times.
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check does follow the Hollywood model. The main character Earl is madly in love with Maybelline, who is perceived to be out of his league. His goal is to express to her how he feels. He is a can-do character because he desperately seeks advice from others on how to address the situation, instead of starring hopelessly from a corner. The plot drives the story and uncovers more intricate parts of the characters as it progresses. It is not until his conversation with Mr. Sasser, that Earl shifts from being a doer to a thinker. Earl is able to overcome adversity and express his feelings through song. He is a hero because he is the awkward underdog who against the odds gets the girl.
I like the story because it is simple and relatable. There are many movies and stories about the nerdy guy winning the heart of the hot girl but they are all very cliche. Slow Dancin' Down the Aisle of the Quick Check is genuine and heartwarming. When I cringed its not because of a cheesy line but because of how realistically awkward Earl is.
At first thought, I considered this independent because of its main location and interaction between different characters (sort of a Breakfast Club feel). But with more consideration, it is clear that Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck follows the Hollywood model and all of the other characters are only there to reveal things about Earl's character and to help (or hurt) his goals of winning over Maybelline. He is a main character who overcomes obstacles to reach an end goal, and the plot and characters facilitate his journey.
I liked how well the writer was able to say more than just dialogue. For instance, Maybelline is talking to Mary and comments on how when Elvis sings, you know it's from the heart. Mary replies, "Elvis is dead." I interpreted this as Mary saying that guys don't talk from their hearts anymore, which is a perfect example of how natural dialogue can say something about the attitudes and personalities of the characters. I also really enjoyed reading the intro about how he set the tone at the first production meeting and doubted himself along the way; it gave a whole new layer to the underdog story.
This script follows the Hollywood model because it tells the story of a character with a clear goal and his attempts to achieve it. Our protagonist is an underdog who the audience roots for. His timid nature is his own antagonist, although it could also be his cousin trying to get him to forget about Maybelline. The script is also a Hollywood model because it is plot driven as we watch different scenarios where Earl tries to muster his courage. Through dialogue with Mary we learn a lot about Maybelline and her past with Curtis, who is the opposite of Earl. Maybelline's unease about Curtis (and his ego) gives us hope that she might be interested in a man like Earl. We question whether Earl has the can do attitude of a hero, but after hearing his new "mantra" from Mr. Sasser we know he is going to finally take action. In the end our protagonist wins the girl by finally gathering the courage to tell her he loves her.
I like this script because I like Earl as an underdog character and from the beginning I was rooting for him. There is something lovable about a clumsy and blundering character with a heart of gold. Seeing the dichotomy between Earl and the guys in the meat department shows us that Earl is unique in his community and we appreciate his romantic nature (and respect for women) even more.
The screenplay is a hollywood model. Earl is the underdog we're rooting for all the way through. The plot also pushes earl toward his goal which in this case is Maybelline. Earl has to overcome his fear and stop getting in his own way in order to achieve what seems like an unattainable goal. We follow a can-do character through an action filled script. Finally, Earl is able to go after what he wants and take an action. Curtis is an unattainable idea of a man and Earl is actually there with her. Def hollywood model. Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline.
I really enjoyed the dialogue in this script. It helped define the characters and push the plot forward while keeping us entertained in the moment. It's relatable, about taking action and breaking down barriers. Earl overcomes a fear and becomes a doer. I really enjoyed it. 8/10 would recommend.
"Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck" follows the Hollywood model. The main character, Earl, is a can-do character who strongly believes that he can win Maybelline over with his smooth talking. However, he is extremely timid and has friends/coworkers who bring him down and give him the wrong advice. To top it off, Curtis, Maybelline's successful ex-boyfriend is coming to town and wants to see her again. In addition to this, the screenplay has a voice that celebrates possibility (the possibility of winning Maybelline's heart) over adversity. We see this in the MC and Jerome when they have the conversation about the way Earl should look at a peach, and Earl leaves saying, "Don't be a thinker. Be a doer." Throughout the screenplay, we also see the plot challenge Earl immensely. Though the whole screenplay takes place around the Quickcheck, there is a lot of action that furthers along the plot such as Earl breaking a bottle of honey, chasing Gene into the freezer, Curtis coming back to town, etc. As the underdog, Earl is lovable and is relatable to the reader. This screenplay has an up ending since Earl gets the girl in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this screenplay. I loved how the language fit the characters even though it was pretty difficult for me to understand. I found the characters to be extremely relatable, dealing with struggles that every day people deal with like talking to a crush or being confused about one's emotions and feelings. Throughout the screenplay, I had a strong feeling that Earl would win over Maybelline in the end, but I wanted to keep reading just to be sure he would.
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check is the perfect example of the Hollywood model screenplay: Earl represents the can-do character, who believes in his goal of getting Maybelline. The main character succeeds at his goal despite the limitations (little knowledge of how to talk to women). In addition, the screenplay has the voice that celebrates possibility over adversity where the main character becomes a hero of a sort. In this particular case, Earl is able to overcome his own fears and (against all odds) get the girl of his dreams. The screenplay masterfully uses secondary characters to introduce the main theme of the story (love) as well as two of the leading characters: Earl and Maybelline. For example, Curtis' character becomes a certain writing tool to learn more about Maybelline's past and her taste in men. On the other hand, most of the workers at the store serve to develop Earl's character and lead the story on.
Although the story is not as strongly plot dominated as a typical Hollywood model screenplay there are still some plot driven moments that amplify character dynamic. Earl is constantly challenged by his co-workers and the circumstances that prevent him from declaring his love for Maybelline. The story has a few important plot points that help the progression of the screenplay. For example, when Earl is talking to the boys from the meat department and gets water sprayed all over him became a sort of turning point in the story. After that Earl gives up on his goal and it seems that nothing would solve his dilemma. Another important plot point that happened earlier in the screenplay was when Earl talks to one of the customers that advises him to be a "doer not a thinker"this advice giver the main character the inspiration to move forward with his goals and attempt to approach Maybelline again.
I found Slow Dancing' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check very engaging. I was able to fully understand the main character and follow along with the story very well. The screenplay had enough comedy in it to keep me both laughing and struggling along with Earl in his effort to get Maybelline. Nevertheless, recognizing it as a Hollywood model screenplay I knew that there would be a happy ending so my expectations were fully met with Earl and Maybelline dancing as the last shot of the film.
Following the Hollywood model, "Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck" features a can-do character, a voice of possibility in face of adversity, and a strong use of the three-act story structure.
The film does not have the strong action scenes that may be present in a Hollywood movie, but Earl is constantly working on confessing his love for Maybelline. This action, his search to find a way to confess his love, reveals a lot about his character. He is a very likable character and since Curtis (Maybelline’s ex-boyfriend), is never shown, the audience will silently root for Earl (the underdog) to win.
The exposition is very successful in setting up the premise of the film: Earl chasing after the girl of his dreams, Maybelline. The exposition also reveals the main challenges that Earl faces (Maybelline’s ex-boyfriend is in town and Earl’s own fears of talking to the woman of his dreams) while also revealing the personalities and language of the main characters.
The end of the exposition is signalled when Maybelline notices Earl crawling on the floor. After he walks away, she says, "Yeah, but he's kind of sweet."
After this plot point, Earl begins to go to his co-workers and other people for advice. In the screenplay, this is the screen description, “A montage of people giving Earl advice.” This is the upward action of the second act.
The midpoint is the moment Mr. Sasser tells Earl, “Don't be a thinker be a doer." Earl lets this piece of advice sink in and decides to finally ask Maybelline out.
The second down angle in the second act is when Earl is confronted by the meat department workers. As he slips and falls and gets covered in the grime of the meaty floor, Earl realizes defeat and says, “It’s over now.”
Earl returns to his desk next to Maybelline and works in silence for a little bit. The second up angle begins as Earl comments on Maybelline’s dream of being a truck driver and as she learns of Earl’s songwriting. “What is it you want, Earl?” she asks. His final challenge is to sing his song to Maybelline.
To make up for this assignment, I read the screenplay for Groundhogs Day. This screenplay follows the Hollywood Model. 1. Can-do character - While Phil is an asshole, he definitely believes he can do whatever he wants. After he figures out that he relives the same day over an over again, he has many tiny goals that he accomplishes. When his main goal becomes to get out of reliving the same day over and over again, he tries many different things. Finally, it isn't until he gives up and lives every day as his last where he is finally able to move on to the next day. 2. Strong use of plot - This screenplay is definitely dominated by the plot. Scene after scene either shows Phil doing something new or trying to achieve a new goal. The plot moves the screenplay along and it is the things that happens to him that teaches him and allows for him to undergo a change. 3. Attraction to genres of action - The actions of this film celebrates the triumph of Phil over the adversity. While you really don't like his character in the beginning, you start to sympathize with him when you start to learn more about his character. You start to root for him to finally do whatever he needs to in order to stop reliving the same day. Finally in the end, he triumphs! 4. Voice that celebrates possibility over adversity - Whil Phil is a complete jerk in the beginning, the screenplay shows how he could change. This change is what was necessary for him to break out of the rut. 5. MC becomes a hero - by the end, Phil actually does become a hero. He goes through the town to save everyone and help them. critical moment: Phil has to go to Punxsutawney for Groundhog day with Rita catalytic event: Phil wakes up to the same day midpoint: When Phil takes the homeless man to the hospital and he dies. This causes a change in Phil. final plot point: Phil wakes up to February 3rd.
I actually liked this screenplay. While reading the radio Deejay part over and over again throughout the screenplay was redundant, I was able to get a clear picture of what the actions were. I noticed that this screenplay had a lot of action description. While that may be because the screenplay is dominated by plot, it made me think that I should put more action into my own screenplay. Overall, the screenplay was really easy to follow while staying entertaining.
23 comments:
I believe that the script follows the Hollywood model. The script has a plot: Earl, a 41-year-old man and the main character, has a crush on Maybelline but he he does not know how to express his feelings to her. We know the goal of the MC, Earl, he wants to tell Maybelline how he feels, but he does not know how. The goal is attainable from the perspective of the reader, but it seems very difficult for Earl to accomplish--there is a possibility against the adversity. During his troubles, numerous people try to give Earl advice on how to express his feelings. His confidence begins to change after having a talk with Mr. Sasser who tells Eric to be a doer, not a thinker. Those words resinated with Earl and he eventually expresses his feelings to Maybelline by singing a song that he wrote. At that point Earl becomes a hero of sorts.
I liked the screenplay because it is relatable. Many of us had gone through Earl's struggle of trying to express feelings towards a love interest. You get to follow Earl's trails as he gets to his goal. What I also liked about the screenplay was that there are some parts when the story becomes humorous. For instance when Jerome asks Earl to practice on a peach or when a Pest Control Man tells Eric to use a chainsaw to get to a girl's heart.
The script follows the Hollywood model for a number of reasons. First, the screenplay has a can- do character, which is Earl. Earl’s goal is to profess his love to Maybelline. Although he’s not really a smooth talker and tends to be clumsy, he manages to win her heart. Second, it follows the Hollywood model because there’s a strong use of plot. The plot is Earl getting the courage to finally telling Maybelline how he feels about her. All of the scenes work around this plot which then amplifies Earl’s character. This screenplay shows how eager he is to tell her and how desperate he is for advice on how to tell her. Third, the script shows the triumph of the character over adversity. Despite his awkwardness, competition, and peer pressure to lower his standards, he’s able to achieve his goal. In addition, it shows a transformation. Earl transforms from a thinker to a doer. At first, he’s thinking of using the same line that he had used in the past for another girl. He’s also unsure of himself which makes him ask advice from multiple people. By the end of the story, he acts like himself and successfully expresses his love for her through his song. Throughout the screenplay, we see him as the underdog and undesirable compared to country star, Curtis.
I enjoyed this screenplay because it had a very simple plot, yet it still had me wanting to read more. I was eager to find out if he ever gets the courage to talk to Maybelline. I also liked how Thomas Jackson uses “show, don’t tell.” We can sense Earl’s nervousness every time Maybelline is near. Some examples of this would be when he accidentally drops the polaroid picture of her, falls over, and knocks over the bottle of honey. Lastly, I liked how Thomas Jackson uses multiple supporting characters who give Earl a variety of advice. This made the screenplay relatable and humorous because, like Earl, we go to peers, acquaintances, and friends for advice when we are in a tricky situation. The screenplay makes it evident that sometimes the advice we receive isn’t always the best.
This screen play follows the Hollywood model. First and foremost, the protagonist is a can-do character, Earl. We follow Earl through out the whole script trying to figure out how to accomplish his goal, win a girl's heart. The strong use of plot to further the story along also tells us that this is the Hollywood model. The plot in this story was for Earl, a clumsy, socially awkward misfit, to tell his employee, Maybelline, that he loves her. The plot is simple, but each scene helps Earl get closer and closer to his goal. This also shows how the main character overcomes adversity. Although he is awkward and a bit strange, Earl still gets the girl in the end. This girl could have been with a rising country star, but instead chose Earl, which to the audience, seems like a daunting task for Earl to accomplish. He overcomes this adversity by a change from being a thinker to being a doer. This change in Earl's persona allowed him to reveal his feelings for Maybelline and accomplish his goal. I think this even transitions Earl's character into a hero because he accomplished something the audience wouldn't have thought possible.
I liked this script because personally, I love a good underdog story. I think stories like this are easy to connect and resonate with the main character. Even if you aren't as extreme as Earl, there has to be something people are self conscious about and seeing someone overcome that adversity is always entertaining. Rooting for the underdog and seeing them succeed is very fulfilling for me. I also liked that it had a happy ending, although I wish there was more dialogue between Earl and Maybelline to see that he could actually get her in the end. I figured he would (because the story would be unsatisfying without this happy ending), but it's almost a little hard for me to believe that a song turned Maybelline when she didn't want the other musician. If we could tell that Earl really sang from the heart, like Maybelline mentioned about Elvis, then I suppose that could be more believable. I would love to see this actually produced, if it's out there somewhere!
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check seems to follow the Hollywood model for a number of different reasons. One of the features of this Hollywood model is a can do character, in this case it's the main character Earl. Earl is head over heels in love with his co-worker Maybelline, but doesn't know how to express his true love for her. He's tragic in the sense that he's so helplessly in love with her, and she doesn't seem to have a clue. There is also a strong use of plot in the screenplay. Action rises and falls throughout the screenplay and Earl, along with the other characters, reveal deeper character layer as it progresses. This is a story of triumph. Earl never thought he could get the girl especially since he's competing mainly against a rising country star, but in the end the under dog wins the girl. He transforms from a bumbling idiot talking about "menstruation napkins"with a grandma, to slow dancing with the girl of his dreams. Earl effectively turns himself into a hero even though he is constantly brought down by the nagging and insults of others that he works with. These various elements, are the core to what makes this a Hollywood model.
Overall, I really liked this screenplay. The whole time I was reading I felt like shaking my head because Earl seems so incredibly hopeless, but by the end you can't help have a smile on your face because the underdog got the girl. It's a story that everyone wants to hear. Being able to fall in love and live happily ever after with the girl/guy of their dreams. It's hard not to relate to it because it gives us a sense of hope that maybe this successful love life will be in our own future. The screenplay for me was a success because it concluded with the ending the audience was hoping for.
The screenplay follows a Hollywood Model, but it's not too apparent.
1) Earl is a can do character with a goal. Just because he lacks the confidence to quickly follow through and express his feelings for Mayebelline (as we see in the beginning when he falls on the office ground) doesn't mean he's not be proactive about expressing his feelings. He asks a lot of people for their advice and practices taking it, from the butchers to the produce man.
2) Although subtle, the plot is Earl working to get the girl. Every scene and line leads up to the conflict, including facing a ridiculing cousin and accidentally locking him in the freezer just to get him to shut up.
3) The voice of the film celebrates triumph over adversity. Although the screenplay focused on Earl's journey, the screenplay's purpose was to have Earl come out victorious, which he did when Mayebelline starts seeing him differently.
4) Earl becomes the hero by sticking to his strengths by playing and singing her a song at the very end.
I didn't like the script. Although I admire it for being simple and relatable, it was almost too plain. When I didn't understand the humor, like when the produce man told Earl to practice on the peach, I lost interest quickly. However, I did learn that it is truly possible to write such a short screen play efficiently and effectively.
The script follows the Hollywood model. Earl is a can-do character who believes today is his time to step up and show Maybelline how he feels. Earl is often challenged in his quest to show Maybelline his feelings, by doubting himself and from his friends advising him to lower his standards. The script does show a story of transformation as Earl is very shy to talk to Maybelline, but seeks advice on what to say from others. In the end, Earl transforms from a thinker to a doer and sings to Maybelline how he feels and shows triumph over adversity.
I enjoyed reading the script. It was easy to tell where the setting was at and what people were doing by the way the characters were talking. The dialogue is very natural and I also like how the main character achieves his goal.
This screenplay is definitely one that follows the Hollywood Model mostly because there's a clear resolution to the "quest," around which the story revolves. Earl, the main character, reluctantly becomes a "hero" in the story by playing the guitar, which he's never done in front of an audience before. Although playing the guitar isn't Earl's end goal, it helps Maybelline open her eyes to Earl. I also felt that this screenplay depended heavily on the plot because of the montages that furthered the plot and strengthened Earl's will to confess his feelings to Maybelline.
I really liked this screenplay because the voice of each character was so specific and personalized. Elements of comedy were present here and there as well, some of which actually made me laugh out loud. Maybelline's line, "Damn, Earl, I just asked a question. You don't have to look at me like I pissed in your cornflakes," was just perfect in conveying Maybelline's normally strong, sassy character when juxtaposed with Earl's courage-lacking character.
I would argue that this script followed the Hollywood model. If we were to follow the points of the Hollywood model we would see that they all apply. First he has to be a can do character. While this isn't clear at first, when he is self conscious a meek, the story revolves around him becoming a can "doer not a thinker." Then we have the plot that dynamically challenges Earl. This is apparent in many things such as his brother's harping or his more serious internal struggle. Falling over and being unable to bend or get up, his brother's terrible suggestions, his inability to express himself all cause points of action. These things create points of conflict that have to be overcome so Earl "can show his inner peach." The next step, a focus on action, is largely internal in this case. While there is some physical humor, the action is his decision to tell Maybelline his feelings and overcome the obstacles that appear once he decides to do so. The voice of possibility over adversity here is also readily apparent. Earl is made up to be all sorts of unattractive and going up against a rising country star for this girls heart. It looks like a fight he has no hope of winning, but as he gets closer and closer to telling her his feelings we see holes in her armor that make it seem possible that she would choose Earl. The main character becomes a hero in the sense that he overcomes his internal conflict, the excessive inability to express his feelings. While the majority of the conflict is internal there is a clear plot, goal, and progression that allow us to think of Earl as a heroic in his situation, when a story feels like this, it's Hollywood.
At first I didn't like the screenplay. I was terribly bored, what else could I say, we were placed in the middle of nowhere redneck land. Most of the character spoke in ways that were foreign and annoying to me, but then I started to like it anyway. The initial suffering was a necessity to be immersed in the environment. By the end I was rooting for Earl too. While, not my cup of tea, I really enjoyed the quality of the writing that allowed me to be dragged into an unique and mildly absurd environment and feel connected to it.
This screenplay follows the Hollywood Model. The main character, Earl, battles his own self-worth and courage to achieve his goal: expressing his feelings to Maybelline. She is so caught up in the idea of being with the country singer she knew, and her other dream of being a truck driver that she does not see what is right in front of her. There is a clear conflict, and the actions set up the conclusion to this conflict. Earl embodies the Hollywood model's 'can do main character' trait, and we follow the plot of him finding his courage. There is also a deeper character layer to this film, where even in the short amount of time we see characters, there is a solid understanding of each of them and their relationships. Earl is clearly the hero in this screenplay, and overcomes his adversity in the end.
I liked this screenplay, but at times I found it hard to follow due to vernacular. I think it would have been easier for me, personally, to understand this film had I actually seen it instead of reading it. However, I liked the imagery and different metaphors and parallels throughout it.
This screenplay definitely follows the Hollywood Model. The main character, Earl, has a goal he sets out to achieve. Earl wants Maybelline, and his focus throughout the whole script is finding a way to tell her how he feels. The obstacles Earl faces are Maybelline's distractions, such as the famous country singer and her fixation on adventuring as a truck driver, along with his own debilitating self-conscious nature. At times, it seemed like it would be impossible for Earl to achieve his goal, especially during the scene with the honey, toilet papers and a grandmother looking for sanitary napkins. But, Maybelline laughing at Earl during this part of the story makes the reader (or audience) root for Earl as the underdog and feel a strong hope towards him being successful. When Earl is finally able to express his feelings to Maybelline, through his written song and guitar, there is resolution, focal towards considering the screenplay as following the Hollywood Model. The main character has his happy ending.
I enjoyed reading this screenplay, though the format was a bit confusing to follow. Once I got the hang of understanding that conversations were going on at the same time in different areas of the store, it began to make more sense. I enjoyed this screenplay because it was short, sweet and relatable. I really wanted Earl to come out on top and speak his mind, because I think we all have been in positions where that has been our intentions but we end up backing down out of cowardice.
Slow Dancin’ Down the Aisles of the Quick Check is an example of an Hollywood Model screenplay. The screenplay focuses on the main character, Earl, trying to get the woman he likes. Earl is a can-do character. Though he is not particularly dynamic, he finds success in spite of his limitations. The plot helps to amplify Earl’s character layer. He is challenged and pushed by the other characters as well as his own desires. The symbol of the peach helps develop the depth of Earl. The peach represents one’s true self, a concept that Earl doesn’t understand until the final scene when he’s alone with Maybelline in the market. Additionally, the voice of the script celebrates possibility over adversity because his character transforms and in the end is able to be authentic with a woman. He is an active character because he resolves to go after Maybelline and tell her how he really feels.
I enjoyed this screenplay. As a reader, I liked seeing the progression of Earl from timid and weak to becoming more strong and willing to go after what he wants. By the end, he “finds his peach” and is willing to show a genuine side of himself to Maybelline. The quarrel with Gene also adds a little conflict to the script and allows Earl to come to a place where he can choose if he wants to stand up for himself or remain spineless. Each character seemed to have a purpose that helped move the script along. I was also interested in the part where the various characters answer the question of how to get a woman. I had only ever seen this done in more feature-length comedies, so it was a new context to see it in a short film.
I believe this screenplay follows the hollywood model. Unlike an independent model film, the MC (Earl) has an achievable goal towards which he is striving the entire time. The film is moved along by the plot, as Earl tries to approach and win over Maybelline, the woman he loves who is oblivious to his feelings. He faces obstacles along the way, but Earl is a can-do character, and perseveres.
I really enjoyed this screenplay. I liked the humor of Earl's friends in the meat department, the lead up relationship between Maybelline and Earl, and how well fleshed out the story world was. I liked the lead in of Earl trying to tell her "my heart is a song", yet she doesn't truly hear him until he literally sings her a song. I do wish their relationship at the end had been more suggested, less all in. "Slow dancing in the aisles of the quickcheck" is a great name, but the actual slow dancing felt a little forced for me, they don't know each other then he sings and then they're dancing? I wish there had been a little funny scene with Earl promising to take her on a date or something.
After reading through this screenplay I would say that it tends to follow the Hollywood Model. Everything we learned in class abut the Hollywood model is generally followed within the script. The story clearly has a hero, Early who's goal is to express his true love for Maybelline. Earl is a reluctant character because at first he does not want to play the guitar in front of everybody but he eventually does which ends up helping him on his quest and overall goal of telling Maybelline his true feelings. Early clearly has the " can do " attitude that the protagonist is supposed to have in the Hollywood model and there is clearly a structured plot with different character layers throughout the script. Earl is kind of an unexpected hero because he is awkward and does not compare to the rising country star yet still find a way to accomplish his goal.
In general I liked the script but found it hard to read I think solely because I am not used to reading scripts yet. I am still adjusting to reading just dialogue and scene descriptions as opposed to prose.
This screenplay follows the Hollywood Model. First, the screenplay involves a can do character. Earl is a relatable character with a can-do attitude. He is flawed, but successful with his endeavor in the end. Second, this screenplay heavily utilizes plot. The scenes mainly focus on whether or not Earl shares his feelings with Maybelline. Additionally, the plot utilizes triumph over adversity and a transformation of the protagonist.
I really loved the screenplay because it is so relatable.
The script of Slow Dancin' Down The Aisles Of The Quickcheck follows the Hollywood model. Earl is a can-do character who wants to express his love towards Maybelline. He has his own quirks that we are witnessing throughout the screenplay but he still gets away with it. There is a really powerful use of plot in this screen play because everything that goes on revolves around Early achieving his ultimate goal of winning over Maybelline. Readers can clearly understand his passion towards reaching this endpoint. Earl also overcomes a problem, which is his own awkward presentation. Even though Maybelline is clearly out of his league, this does not stop him from pursuing. The reader is constantly rooting for him. Through this difficult task, Earl learns a lot about himself and develops his own personality based off of his differences and is able to physically do what he wants rather than ruminate about it. At the end of the screenplay, I really began to see his transformation not externally but internally. Even though Curtis is being compared to him throughout the story, his quirks and differences make him unique and special. It is at the end when he truly begins to understand that. Through his individual approach, his is able to come out on top and successfully achieve his goal.
I liked the screen play although I found myself becoming bored at times.
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check does follow the Hollywood model. The main character Earl is madly in love with Maybelline, who is perceived to be out of his league. His goal is to express to her how he feels. He is a can-do character because he desperately seeks advice from others on how to address the situation, instead of starring hopelessly from a corner. The plot drives the story and uncovers more intricate parts of the characters as it progresses. It is not until his conversation with Mr. Sasser, that Earl shifts from being a doer to a thinker. Earl is able to overcome adversity and express his feelings through song. He is a hero because he is the awkward underdog who against the odds gets the girl.
I like the story because it is simple and relatable. There are many movies and stories about the nerdy guy winning the heart of the hot girl but they are all very cliche. Slow Dancin' Down the Aisle of the Quick Check is genuine and heartwarming. When I cringed its not because of a cheesy line but because of how realistically awkward Earl is.
At first thought, I considered this independent because of its main location and interaction between different characters (sort of a Breakfast Club feel). But with more consideration, it is clear that Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck follows the Hollywood model and all of the other characters are only there to reveal things about Earl's character and to help (or hurt) his goals of winning over Maybelline. He is a main character who overcomes obstacles to reach an end goal, and the plot and characters facilitate his journey.
I liked how well the writer was able to say more than just dialogue. For instance, Maybelline is talking to Mary and comments on how when Elvis sings, you know it's from the heart. Mary replies, "Elvis is dead." I interpreted this as Mary saying that guys don't talk from their hearts anymore, which is a perfect example of how natural dialogue can say something about the attitudes and personalities of the characters.
I also really enjoyed reading the intro about how he set the tone at the first production meeting and doubted himself along the way; it gave a whole new layer to the underdog story.
This script follows the Hollywood model because it tells the story of a character with a clear goal and his attempts to achieve it. Our protagonist is an underdog who the audience roots for. His timid nature is his own antagonist, although it could also be his cousin trying to get him to forget about Maybelline. The script is also a Hollywood model because it is plot driven as we watch different scenarios where Earl tries to muster his courage. Through dialogue with Mary we learn a lot about Maybelline and her past with Curtis, who is the opposite of Earl. Maybelline's unease about Curtis (and his ego) gives us hope that she might be interested in a man like Earl. We question whether Earl has the can do attitude of a hero, but after hearing his new "mantra" from Mr. Sasser we know he is going to finally take action. In the end our protagonist wins the girl by finally gathering the courage to tell her he loves her.
I like this script because I like Earl as an underdog character and from the beginning I was rooting for him. There is something lovable about a clumsy and blundering character with a heart of gold. Seeing the dichotomy between Earl and the guys in the meat department shows us that Earl is unique in his community and we appreciate his romantic nature (and respect for women) even more.
The screenplay is a hollywood model. Earl is the underdog we're rooting for all the way through. The plot also pushes earl toward his goal which in this case is Maybelline. Earl has to overcome his fear and stop getting in his own way in order to achieve what seems like an unattainable goal. We follow a can-do character through an action filled script. Finally, Earl is able to go after what he wants and take an action. Curtis is an unattainable idea of a man and Earl is actually there with her. Def hollywood model. Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline.
I really enjoyed the dialogue in this script. It helped define the characters and push the plot forward while keeping us entertained in the moment. It's relatable, about taking action and breaking down barriers. Earl overcomes a fear and becomes a doer. I really enjoyed it. 8/10 would recommend.
"Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck" follows the Hollywood model. The main character, Earl, is a can-do character who strongly believes that he can win Maybelline over with his smooth talking. However, he is extremely timid and has friends/coworkers who bring him down and give him the wrong advice. To top it off, Curtis, Maybelline's successful ex-boyfriend is coming to town and wants to see her again. In addition to this, the screenplay has a voice that celebrates possibility (the possibility of winning Maybelline's heart) over adversity. We see this in the MC and Jerome when they have the conversation about the way Earl should look at a peach, and Earl leaves saying, "Don't be a thinker. Be a doer." Throughout the screenplay, we also see the plot challenge Earl immensely. Though the whole screenplay takes place around the Quickcheck, there is a lot of action that furthers along the plot such as Earl breaking a bottle of honey, chasing Gene into the freezer, Curtis coming back to town, etc. As the underdog, Earl is lovable and is relatable to the reader. This screenplay has an up ending since Earl gets the girl in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this screenplay. I loved how the language fit the characters even though it was pretty difficult for me to understand. I found the characters to be extremely relatable, dealing with struggles that every day people deal with like talking to a crush or being confused about one's emotions and feelings. Throughout the screenplay, I had a strong feeling that Earl would win over Maybelline in the end, but I wanted to keep reading just to be sure he would.
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check is the perfect example of the Hollywood model screenplay: Earl represents the can-do character, who believes in his goal of getting Maybelline. The main character succeeds at his goal despite the limitations (little knowledge of how to talk to women). In addition, the screenplay has the voice that celebrates possibility over adversity where the main character becomes a hero of a sort. In this particular case, Earl is able to overcome his own fears and (against all odds) get the girl of his dreams. The screenplay masterfully uses secondary characters to introduce the main theme of the story (love) as well as two of the leading characters: Earl and Maybelline. For example, Curtis' character becomes a certain writing tool to learn more about Maybelline's past and her taste in men. On the other hand, most of the workers at the store serve to develop Earl's character and lead the story on.
Although the story is not as strongly plot dominated as a typical Hollywood model screenplay there are still some plot driven moments that amplify character dynamic. Earl is constantly challenged by his co-workers and the circumstances that prevent him from declaring his love for Maybelline. The story has a few important plot points that help the progression of the screenplay. For example, when Earl is talking to the boys from the meat department and gets water sprayed all over him became a sort of turning point in the story. After that Earl gives up on his goal and it seems that nothing would solve his dilemma. Another important plot point that happened earlier in the screenplay was when Earl talks to one of the customers that advises him to be a "doer not a thinker"this advice giver the main character the inspiration to move forward with his goals and attempt to approach Maybelline again.
I found Slow Dancing' Down the Aisles of the Quick Check very engaging. I was able to fully understand the main character and follow along with the story very well. The screenplay had enough comedy in it to keep me both laughing and struggling along with Earl in his effort to get Maybelline. Nevertheless, recognizing it as a Hollywood model screenplay I knew that there would be a happy ending so my expectations were fully met with Earl and Maybelline dancing as the last shot of the film.
Following the Hollywood model, "Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck" features a can-do character, a voice of possibility in face of adversity, and a strong use of the three-act story structure.
The film does not have the strong action scenes that may be present in a Hollywood movie, but Earl is constantly working on confessing his love for Maybelline. This action, his search to find a way to confess his love, reveals a lot about his character. He is a very likable character and since Curtis (Maybelline’s ex-boyfriend), is never shown, the audience will silently root for Earl (the underdog) to win.
The exposition is very successful in setting up the premise of the film: Earl chasing after the girl of his dreams, Maybelline. The exposition also reveals the main challenges that Earl faces (Maybelline’s ex-boyfriend is in town and Earl’s own fears of talking to the woman of his dreams) while also revealing the personalities and language of the main characters.
The end of the exposition is signalled when Maybelline notices Earl crawling on the floor. After he walks away, she says, "Yeah, but he's kind of sweet."
After this plot point, Earl begins to go to his co-workers and other people for advice. In the screenplay, this is the screen description, “A montage of people giving Earl advice.” This is the upward action of the second act.
The midpoint is the moment Mr. Sasser tells Earl, “Don't be a thinker be a doer." Earl lets this piece of advice sink in and decides to finally ask Maybelline out.
The second down angle in the second act is when Earl is confronted by the meat department workers. As he slips and falls and gets covered in the grime of the meaty floor, Earl realizes defeat and says, “It’s over now.”
Earl returns to his desk next to Maybelline and works in silence for a little bit. The second up angle begins as Earl comments on Maybelline’s dream of being a truck driver and as she learns of Earl’s songwriting. “What is it you want, Earl?” she asks. His final challenge is to sing his song to Maybelline.
To make up for this assignment, I read the screenplay for Groundhogs Day. This screenplay follows the Hollywood Model.
1. Can-do character - While Phil is an asshole, he definitely believes he can do whatever he wants. After he figures out that he relives the same day over an over again, he has many tiny goals that he accomplishes. When his main goal becomes to get out of reliving the same day over and over again, he tries many different things. Finally, it isn't until he gives up and lives every day as his last where he is finally able to move on to the next day.
2. Strong use of plot - This screenplay is definitely dominated by the plot. Scene after scene either shows Phil doing something new or trying to achieve a new goal. The plot moves the screenplay along and it is the things that happens to him that teaches him and allows for him to undergo a change.
3. Attraction to genres of action - The actions of this film celebrates the triumph of Phil over the adversity. While you really don't like his character in the beginning, you start to sympathize with him when you start to learn more about his character. You start to root for him to finally do whatever he needs to in order to stop reliving the same day. Finally in the end, he triumphs!
4. Voice that celebrates possibility over adversity - Whil Phil is a complete jerk in the beginning, the screenplay shows how he could change. This change is what was necessary for him to break out of the rut.
5. MC becomes a hero - by the end, Phil actually does become a hero. He goes through the town to save everyone and help them.
critical moment: Phil has to go to Punxsutawney for Groundhog day with Rita
catalytic event: Phil wakes up to the same day
midpoint: When Phil takes the homeless man to the hospital and he dies. This causes a change in Phil.
final plot point: Phil wakes up to February 3rd.
I actually liked this screenplay. While reading the radio Deejay part over and over again throughout the screenplay was redundant, I was able to get a clear picture of what the actions were. I noticed that this screenplay had a lot of action description. While that may be because the screenplay is dominated by plot, it made me think that I should put more action into my own screenplay. Overall, the screenplay was really easy to follow while staying entertaining.
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