Stephen Gaghan Master Class
I have a HUGE crush on a married man. He happens to be the writer of "Traffic", "Syriana" and soon "Blink".
Stephen G*ghan is hilarious, extremely smart, very articulate, political and most of all, he is an amazingly engaging storyteller. I could've sat in class for another day or two and just listen to him. Of course it helped that he was also quite pleasant to look at. AND he's also one of those few people who can actually wear leather shoes sans socks and pull it off.
Here's a glimpse into his process:
- Writing the best script is knowing what to leave out.
- "I always want to be surprised..." so he doesn't do outlines. Well he does them once, but then tosses it.
- "Getting to the half way point is the most difficult. Then everything else tumbles down."
He spends 90% writing the first half of the script; 75% of which he spends on the first 25 pages alone.
- It is easy to write good scenes, but they may not necessarily be the right scene.
- TV exposition in dialogue is necessary. But when you say it, hide it.
- He saw this written on a wall by Coppola:
"First act clear. Third act shorter." (Balzac)
- Theme will give you the answer when lost in a scene, but theme resists words. It lends itself to possibility, but resists banality. More of a musical note than something you put into words.
- Plot mechanics and story is the last of your worries. Emotions are the most important.
- Tolstoy's rules and in the following order of importance:
1. Transitions
2. Context - create a realistic backdrop for your characters to sprout from organically
3. Create a character
4. Story - The least important.
*I found this very interesting because it is really the first time I've heard of someone invert the so called "process of writing". It does make sense though. It allows you to work in an organic manner instead of forcing characters into a plot.
Gaghan feels that doing it this way allows "...story to emerge from an organic process; true to what's happening and doesn't feel like a false construct from the outside."
Here's one more look at the cutie:
Hot and smart. Just the way I like it. Finger-lickin' good Gaghan (I know. I'm gross.)
