Tales from the Script

"Tales From the Script" is a documentary that probably won't excite the average viewer. However, if you have notions of one day becoming a screenwriter or you like to do film criticism, then it's a must-see picture. It is very simple in style and simply consists of a lot of screenwriters talking to the camera--telling their anecdotes, advice and experiences. Much of it is very interesting--again, at least to screenwriters and critics.

The documentary also gave me a lot to think about as well since I spend an awful lot of my time critiquing movies...and often criticizing the quality of the screenplays (this is often the worst part of a film). What I learned is that so little of what you see on screen is what was in the original script. There are many re-writes (often dozens)--and LOTS of changes insisted upon by practically everyone but the gaffers and grips! First, the producers and directors want their say--and since screenwriters are about as low on the food chain as you can get, these folks get a lot of say. Next, when the actors read through the scripts, they also have tons of suggestions--and if they are very famous and have a lot of star power, these changes WILL be made. But that's not all-- you also have committees of studio execs, junior execs and junior junior execs who also want to make changes. One of the interviewees said that in some of her films, only about 20% of what you see in the final picture was her original script!! So, I certainly will be sure to be a bit kinder--perhaps being sure to criticize the final script not the screenwriter.

In addition to learning about this process, the film also talks about how tough it is to make a living screen writing, how originality is often frowned upon and, surprisingly, how being famous for a blockbuster or receiving an Oscar does NOT make the writer necessarily that much more marketable. It's all very interesting...and very depressing for young filmmakers. But it's not all depressing--the DVD has tons of extras. Some of these are things that were edited out of the film due to time but some is great material--such as a special extra where they have specific advice for a budding screenwriter. Well worth seeing even if it is NOT especially cinematic or exciting (plus the music really is pretty cheap and awful). For the right audience, this is a brilliantly insightful and satisfying film. And, if you want to see it, it's available through Netflix or Amazon.

Filmmakers who neglect producing a good script rarely produce a good movie. Sure, film's a visual medium (but, then, so are comic books)- but all the beautiful imagery in the world is meaningless without a coherent background story. TALES FROM THE SCRIPT is a cautionary tale and, like the documentary THE HECK WITH Hollywood!, it offers some possible solutions for aspiring screenwriters. (Although the solution in THE HECK WITH Hollywood! is to go out and make your OWN movie, without regard to geography, which is probably the BEST advice: as mavericks like George Romero have shown, it IS possible to go out and do it yourself and be successful. With the kind of video technology that exists now, I'm frankly amazed that there aren't MORE independent filmmakers making waves out there...) Posting unproduced scripts online is one way to try to interest potential investors (I may do it myself). The options these days are many. Settling for Hollywood should no longer be the only option.

Thought this was a great movie and by far the most comprehensive thing i've seen on the subject. For us struggling writers out here in LA, it gives us hope, but also shows us that its not that easy and reminds us that it takes a lot of work and a lot of rejection.

A great film for any of those out there with an interest in Hollywood, screen writing, the industry, or just people chasing a dream.

I really enjoyed the amount of personal accounts from so many of the screenwriters, just documenting how the process literally casts a shadow over the writer and gives them very little credit.

I'm sure it will at least be self-distributed, but I am going to guess that this will be picked up soon. What a gem!

Tales from the Script is a long series of short clips from interviews with successful screenwriters who reveal what most every artist already knew: if you want to be true to your vision, you must stick to noncollaborative art, and if you are looking to be paid for your art, you had better be ready to compromise.

Screenwriters are writers, but they can earn potentially much more money than solo writers. So the price they pay is having to deal with all of the people in the industry whose only reason for being there is to earn money. They also have to deal with the big egos of directors, producers, and actors. Judging by the anecdotes described in this film, screenwriters are a rather masochistic lot, who despite being psychologically abused by people who have no idea how to write, continue on because, on balance, they have decided that the alternative would be worse.

In addition to all of the interview excerpts with a wide range of screenwriters, short scenes from a variety of films which self-referentially treat the topic are also included. I had no idea that there were so many Hollywood movies with screenwriting as a theme!

After reading the book, Tales from the Script by Paul Herman and Peter Hanson, I watched the movie. It was very interesting and engaging. I particularly enjoyed the way they edited the interviews together to develop an overall understanding of screen writing and the film making process. Hearing the screenwriters discuss their journeys from page to screen was enlightening. I think Peter Hanson and Paul Herman did a great job of getting a diversity of screenwriters and putting together thoughtful interviews. Seeing the people who have written some of my favorite movies was interesting, and I ended up learning about some great movies I've never seen through reading the book and seeing the film. I would definitely recommend this movie and book to anyone who is interested in screen writing or just a general film geek.