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Usenet Posted 20 years ago
Screenwriting
Syriana Structure
Anyone have thoughts about the plot/narrative structure of Syriana? It runs *so* counter to standard Hollywood fare, and it makes the audience work pretty hard by deliberately not spoon-feeding any exposition.
I liked that it lets the audience in on the inner workings of a variety of institutions, each with its own codes and jargon, but I would have preferred some more clues and cues as to what was going on... that way I could have let myself get transported by the narrative instead of having to concentrate on trying to decipher it.
How 'bout you?
A woman can be anything the man who loves her would have her be. James M. Barrie
I liked that it lets the audience in on the inner workings of a variety of institutions, each with its own codes and jargon, but I would have preferred some more clues and cues as to what was going on... that way I could have let myself get transported by the narrative instead of having to concentrate on trying to decipher it.
How 'bout you?
A woman can be anything the man who loves her would have her be. James M. Barrie
Top answer
[nq:1]Anyone have thoughts about the plot/narrative structure of Syriana? It runs *so* counter to standard Hollywood fare, and it makes ... let myself get transported by the narrative instead of having to concentrate on trying to decipher it.
- [nq:1]Anyone have thoughts about the plot/narrative structure of Syriana?
- It runs *so* counter to standard Hollywood fare, and it makes ...
- let myself get transported by the narrative instead of having to concentrate on trying to decipher it.
- [/nq] The purpose is to lure people back for a second and third screening.
- Hey, how you gonna make money if people only pay to see it once?
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22 Answers
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[nq:1]Anyone have thoughts about the plot/narrative structure of Syriana? It runs *so* counter to standard Hollywood fare, and it makes ... let myself get transported by the narrative instead of having to concentrate on trying to decipher it. How 'bout you?[/nq]
The purpose is to lure people back for a second and third screening. Hey, how you gonna make money if people only pay to see it once?
The purpose is to lure people back for a second and third screening. Hey, how you gonna make money if people only pay to see it once?
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[nq:1]Anyone have thoughts about the plot/narrative structure of Syriana? It runs *so* counter to standard Hollywood fare, and it makes ... let myself get transported by the narrative instead of having to concentrate on trying to decipher it. How 'bout you?[/nq]
I saw "Syriana" with my brother the other day. A couple of middle-aged guys for the matinee.
I tend to try to keep current on pol
I saw "Syriana" with my brother the other day. A couple of middle-aged guys for the matinee.
I tend to try to keep current on pol
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[nq:1]I saw "Syriana" with my brother the other day. A couple of middle-aged guys for the matinee.[/nq]
Look, Peter Pan, over the years I've vested a great deal of mental creativity creating the young, handsome Douglas of Newman, with the wry smile and winning personality to match the way you write. Will you PLEASE stop with the reality ****?
Thank you.
Caroline
Look, Peter Pan, over the years I've vested a great deal of mental creativity creating the young, handsome Douglas of Newman, with the wry smile and winning personality to match the way you write. Will you PLEASE stop with the reality ****?
Thank you.
Caroline
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I thought it was all exposition - everyone making OTN speeches. I think that's what happens when you have so many stories - you don't really have time to dramatize them, so you end up with a series of speeches telling you what is happening or what characters think or feel.
As I said in the other thread, I saw an early cut where Gina Gershon, Greta Scattchi, and the chick from KISS
As I said in the other thread, I saw an early cut where Gina Gershon, Greta Scattchi, and the chick from KISS
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[nq:2]Anyone have thoughts about the plot/narrative structure of Syriana? It ... to concentrate on trying to decipher it. How 'bout you?[/nq]
[nq:1]I saw "Syriana" with my brother the other day. A couple of middle-aged guys for the matinee. I tend to ... is unfortunate since it's a great movie! I really enjoyed the structure. I liked the work it made me do.[/nq]
Death knell. If there's one
[nq:1]I saw "Syriana" with my brother the other day. A couple of middle-aged guys for the matinee. I tend to ... is unfortunate since it's a great movie! I really enjoyed the structure. I liked the work it made me do.[/nq]
Death knell. If there's one
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[nq:2]I saw "Syriana" with my brother the other day. A couple of middle-aged guys for the matinee.[/nq]
[nq:1]Look, Peter Pan, over the years I've vested a great deal of mental creativity creating the young, handsome Douglas of Newman, with the wry smile and winning personality to match the way you write. Will you PLEASE stop with the reality ****?[/nq]
You were charmed, then?
[nq:1]Look, Peter Pan, over the years I've vested a great deal of mental creativity creating the young, handsome Douglas of Newman, with the wry smile and winning personality to match the way you write. Will you PLEASE stop with the reality ****?[/nq]
You were charmed, then?
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[nq:2]Look, Peter Pan, over the years I've vested a great ... you write. Will you PLEASE stop with the reality ****?[/nq]
[nq:1]You were charmed, then?[/nq]
Oh, yes. Which brings up the interesting question of the difference between charm and illusion? Not to mention the difference between illusion and delusion. Usenet, IRC, listserves, et. al. are similar to old fashioned radio
[nq:1]You were charmed, then?[/nq]
Oh, yes. Which brings up the interesting question of the difference between charm and illusion? Not to mention the difference between illusion and delusion. Usenet, IRC, listserves, et. al. are similar to old fashioned radio
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[nq:2]You were charmed, then?[/nq]
[nq:1]Oh, yes. Which brings up the interesting question of the difference between charm and illusion? Not to mention the difference ... Hoping everyone has her in a drop-dead gorgeous young body with no warts. Go ahead! LIE! It's fine with me.[/nq]
In Stephen King's book "On Writing" he says that writing is the closest thing we have to telepathy. H
[nq:1]Oh, yes. Which brings up the interesting question of the difference between charm and illusion? Not to mention the difference ... Hoping everyone has her in a drop-dead gorgeous young body with no warts. Go ahead! LIE! It's fine with me.[/nq]
In Stephen King's book "On Writing" he says that writing is the closest thing we have to telepathy. H
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[nq:1]In Stephen King's book "On Writing" he says that writing is the closest thing we have to telepathy. He writes ... he was thinking 18 months ago. Brain to brain. The Internet adds a kind of immediacy to that, I think.[/nq]
Rats! I can't remember which thread it was in that Alan recentley referenced a website for people who do computer images and stuff, but if I read it right, there are no
Rats! I can't remember which thread it was in that Alan recentley referenced a website for people who do computer images and stuff, but if I read it right, there are no
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[nq:1]Made me stop and think about the problems we face already in writing for ever-shrinking attention spans, then wonder if there is any future in screenwriting, or if we're all just chasing our tails?[/nq]
I think the need for stories and storytellers hasn't changed much since the cavemen. Why do people flock to see King Kong? Not for the chance to see a digital 8,000-lb gorilla get knocked
I think the need for stories and storytellers hasn't changed much since the cavemen. Why do people flock to see King Kong? Not for the chance to see a digital 8,000-lb gorilla get knocked
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