posted
I was trying out the demo application of Final Draft 6, a screenwriting tool. One of the features it's got is a set of templates to let writers get examples of the formats that are used by the various writing staffs.
These aren't actual script excerpts, but rather just a lot of filler text to get the idea across. It starts out reasonably enough, but by the end... well...
quote:STAR TREK: VOYAGER "Name of episode"
TEASER FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) in orbit of a planet.
JANEWAY (V.O.) Captain's Log, Stardate 49655.2. We're presently in orbit around Final Draft. A small planet in the B.C. quadrant.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE In a sun-dappled glade, PARIS and NEELIX are picking flowers.
NEELIX Smell that, Tom. Isn't it exhilarating?
Neelix walks over to some flowers and plants.
NEELIX (CONT'D) Don't you think these are beautiful, Tom?
PARIS I wouldn't go that far.
OFF Neelix...
EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) still in orbit...
INT. BRIDGE PARIS is sitting at the bridge console. JANEWAY enters and goes over to TUVOK, stationed at the science console.
JANEWAY Problem, Mr. Tuvok?
JANEWAY enters bridge and goes over to TUVOK, stationed at the science console. END OF TEASER
ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM Moments later. Kim and Kes step up to the transporter pad.
KES Warm sweet line.
KIM Replies bravely.
Kim steps up onto the Transporter pad.
KIM (CONT'D) When a character continues after action, (CONT'D) is not required.
JANEWAY'S COM VOICE Have a nice trip.
They all smile.
KES And the dialogue continues.
KIM And continues.
KES Blah, blah, blah...
And more action goes here
KIM Blah, blah, blah.
FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. BRIDGE Janeway, Kim, Paris, Neelix, Chakotay, Tuvok, Kes react to the end of the show. They all turn to camera, and wave.
KES And they all share a warm story.
KIM Chips in with a wry observation.
CHAKOTAY (smiles) Let's get back to work!
And he moves off to the science station
PARIS Lets rip with a pithy one liner.
TUVOK Doesn't get it.
JANEWAY Rounds off the discussion with a wonderful compassionate speech about peace, love and understanding.
They all share a moment... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO THE END
See what I mean?
I guess this is a good indicator of just how predictable "Voyager" was... even during the early years.
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
I was under the impression that most of hollywood operated off of THE FORMULA. This is a good example. Plug in the details and you got a blockbuster. A good formula sells more then a script. That's why all those blockbuster movies of the 90s looked the same... Theyre breaking out of that now.
-------------------- joH'a' 'oH wIj DevwI' jIH DIchDaq Hutlh pagh (some days it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps in the morning) The Woozle!
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
Rather than take the 1996-2001 era of large disaster movies, (Concievably "Independence Day" to "Pearl Harbor," as guidelines, though this certainly does not mean that these are the beginning or end, just orange sticks in the snow, so we can see when we drive the Minivan out of the driveway when it's snowed.) as representative of the entire range of quality traditional mainstream "Hollywood" film, I think that a comparative study would reveal that since, probably ~1970, the ratio of what the Ivory Towerist's would deem 'cliched, hackneyed and trite' to their 'intellectual thinkey pictures' would be about the same as it's ever been.
"Hollywood" is no more, or no less 'fresh' or 'innovative' than it's ever been.
Of course, it's subjective just as to what freshness is. We all have our own ideas as to what's past due.
Registered: Oct 1999
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