Month: March 2022

Step Brothers – Job Interview – Scene Research

Justification – We have interviews in our script which are supposed to be funny.

NotesCue
– The back of the head of the interviewer is kept in shot while the person being interviewed is talking, but the person being interviewed’s head is not kept in shot while the interviewer is talking.
– As the interviewer is asking questions, there are cuts to show the facial expressions of the person being interviewed.
– It is funny to have to give the person being interviewed a joking attitude while the interviewer is serious.
– The person in control of the interview is shown by who the camera is on while both people are talking
– It is essential to have people looking the right way. For example if the interviewer is sitting on the left and the person getting interviewed is on the right, then the interviewer must look to screen right always and the person getting interviewed must always look to screen left.
– It can be refreshing for the viewer to have a shot that pulls slightly away from the people. I.e. a medium long shot.

Summary – The most important thing is to establish continuity and mood in the interview. This is done by focusing on a person, showing them as dominant and keeping consistent positioning in characters.

Andrew Stanton Storytelling

NotesQ
– Simple opening dialogue, repetitive, stays on topic of the protagonist’s accomplishments, establishing him as an overachiever.
– Juxtaposition of unusually friendly dialogue of the chief inspector and his cronies with the stern dialogue of the protagonist subtly suggests that the inspector and cronies have ulterior motives.

– Story goal: like a joke, everything works to the goal of the punchline, make people care
– Beginning: Make a promise
– Hide the fact that people are working for their meal
– Create characters with a subconscious drive in all of their choices
– Drama is anticipation mingled with uncertainty
– Create tension/anticipation
– Storytelling has guidelines, not hard fast rules
– A strong theme is always running through a well told story
– Invoke wonder
– Capture a truth from your experiences
Summary: In order to tell a compelling story, one must create a sense of tension and wonder throughout the story while maintaining a driving force through the protagonists’ choices.