Movies have been a huge part of American culture for as early as the 19th century. People praise the works of actors, actresses, directors, producers, and even the minor roles such as the wardrobe department and camera operators. And though the people I've named each deserve props for their work, scriptwriters seems to often be left out when it comes to the public's admiration for any form of film or media. Obviously, there are awards given out for "Best Screenplay" and others in the same category, but such appraisal is in no way as popular as when an actor receives an Oscar. Therefore, I wanted to give my attention to whom are considered the most enticing screenwriters of all time.
As Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most well-known directors and screenwriter, once said, "To make a good film you need three things: the script, the script, and the script." The website I used to research the most well-known screenwriters leads with this quote, which grabbed my attention immediately. There are many great things that a movie must include: great actors, great camera work, a director who knows what they're doing, an engaging story, etc., but hearing that one of the most notorious people in the film industry believed that the script is the most significant feature for a film to possess made me reflect on all of the movies I've watched and how they all started as one simple script.
Screenwriter #1: Billy Wilder
According to the website I used, Billy Wilder is one of the most influential screenwriters of all time. From being nominated for an Oscar several times to winning "Best Adapted Screenplay", it's no question why Wilder is so heavily praised for his work. In his most loved scripts, Wilder's characters lie to each other, disguise both themselves and their true intentions, and their finalized decisions end up being the absolute worst thing they can ever do to themselves. The Apartment is considered to be Wilder's best film and screenplay, as it won him multiple Oscars. The film consists of the main protagonist, Jack Lemmon, doing everything in his power to climb the "corporate ladder", and in the end turns out to be an actual loveable guy. As the website notes: "Wilder's mix of poetry and pulp, elegance and vulgarity, moral judgment with a deep understanding of the attraction of sleaze, makes him an apt standard-bearer for the art of crafting great popular entertainment" - David Edelstein.
First 3 pages of The Apartment screenplay
Screenwriter #2: Quentin Tarantino
Tarantino is most praised for his unique use of cinema and his particular type of writing style that wholeheartedly engages an audience. He's noted to be one of the most influential film-makers of the present time, as his work is predominantly about movies within movies. Tarantino's style that surrounds this type of 'inception' is precisely what makes him so interesting to read about. One of his best-known works of media, Inglourious Basterds, a 'war-opera' film I'd watched last year during Film II, displayed the real-life events that took place during World War II and the effects it had on the countries involved. The film also includes a scene in which Adolf Hitler gets brutally murdered, and this can be seen as a homage to the families of those who were lost in the events of the Holocaust. But besides, his unique filming style, Tarantino is also known for his screenplays involving the depictions of both race and gender, and how they affect his characters. As the website remarks: "Tarantino showed me that being derivative isn’t an artistic crutch. Every story we tell is homage to something; how we weave our influences together is where the magic lies. He’s the master" - Jordan Peele.
Screenwriter #3: Charlie Kaufman
Charlie Kaufman is a name I hadn't recognized before beginning my research. But after reading about him, it seems as though Kaufman should most indefinitely be identified as the great screenwriter he is. From what I've read, Kaufman's films seem to visually look like comedies but in reality are instead fatal tragedies. Some of his best-known works are Being John Malkovich - where a puppeteer discovers a portal that allows him to enter the mind of a renowned actor - and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - where two ex-lovers attempt to rid their minds of each other. Most people praise Kaufman for his featuring of well-developed stories and characters he implements into his screenplays, as well as the "emotional terrains" he puts them through. Kaufman is most considered a science-fiction writer, but even those who are grand fans of his work hate to put him in such a miniscule box. As the website states: "Charlie is an inspiration to all screenwriters. His approach is totally unique and seemingly fearless. He bakes existential crisis into his scripts at the thematic and structural level" - Jordan Peele.
Work Log
Monday - no school
Tuesday - worked on script
Wednesday - worked on script
Thursday - worked on blogpost
Friday - worked on blogpost
Website used: https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/100-greatest-screenwriters-of-all-time-ranked.html
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