Star Wars is everywhere (and I don't mind)

Star Wars really is everywhere.

Tonight's episode of the no-skills-needed game show Deal or No Deal was Star Wars themed.  I've never actually watched the show before, but I couldn't miss this event simply because it had to do with Star Wars.  In the episode, the role of the "banker" who offers the contestants a changing cash prize if they choose "Deal" was played by Darth Vader.  A platoon of Stormtroopers as well as a few dozen models dressed as slave girl Leia were the ones holding all the briefcases of money, and special surprise guests included Carrie Fisher, Chewbacca and R2-D2.  The two contestants each had their own stories for how much of an effect Star Wars has had on their lives.

One of the two contestants said that the movie taught her that anything is possible and you can achieve your dreams.  Now, having learned about how Star Wars closely follows all of the classic rules that make a "great" film laid out by the likes of Blake Snyder, it's cool to see that the movie inspires and entertains people so effectively because of its simple story of a nobody who goes on an amazing amazing adventure.

I'm no exception to the masses who have fallen in love with  Star Wars.  I absolutely adore those films, and now I know it is largely due to how they were written in a way that so closely follows the rules of screenwriting.  Those rules truly are for getting a story across that we, being the emotional beings we are, can form a connection with.  This makes the film pure escapism and entertainment, which is why I love it, which is why I don't mind that it is everywhere... my favorite example being from this Japanese television ad from the early 90s featuring George Lucas himself.

April 17th readings

In chapters 6-10 of Syd Field's "Screenplay."  While doing the reading, I picked up on how his writing style involves the use of so many detailed, lengthy examples.  At first I found this kind of hammering in the point.  For example, when discussing how to go about "Setting Up the Story and how important it is to do so within the first ten pages of a screenplay, he includes within the text the first ten pages of "Chinatown."  Right afterwards, though, he pretty much sums up everything within those ten pages and their relevance.  I eventually and appreciatively realized that this is not only a method of hammering in the point, but of also providing plenty of illustrations by which to help you remember his lessons by.  I know I'll never forget what plot points are because I now know exactly where they are in "American Beauty" and "The Matrix;" two modern and successful films I am familiar enough with.

I can already tell based off of reading the first part of "Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder how much I enjoy his informal style, straight-to-the point, style.  It helps me to stay focused when I feel that the writing is completely focused.  It is reassuring that he's pretty much relaying the same points Field makes in his book because it supports that the rules laid out truly are the golden rules of what makes a screenplay successful. 

My First Entry

In Syd Field's book on screenwriting I'm reading for class, he references films like "Fellowship of the Ring," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and "Thelma and Louise."  Pishaw, I say.  Yeah, these are great films, but I know that Syd's techniques are true beyond these films because of how well they ring true with one of my all time favorite movies, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure."  The thing that Syd stresses the most (at least in the first five chapters) is how everything pretty much revolves around how the protagonist must have a goal.  Then, the movie is about how a bunch of crap happens to them that makes it more difficult for them to reach their goal.  Pee Wee's goal is to get back his stolen bike, and the whole movie revolves around his misfortunes and misadventures when trying to do so.  For me at least, this example really exemplifies how simple yet important this rule in screenwriting is.

In other news, I watched my professors' film "Quality of Life" about a week ago now.  I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to get caught up in the story even though I don't fall into the niche market of graffiti artist the movie aims at.  I think I'm going to enjoy the DVD commentary even more, because what I find really interesting (pretty much with all films) is the story behind the making of the movie.  And for a DIY (do-it-yourself) film, I think the making of could be especially educational.  Glad I'm taking a class on it!

More to come.

Happy Days.