Screenwriter?s Compass ? Character as True North by Guy Gallo (Focal Press 2012) isn?t a simple A-Z in the art of screenwriting but an exploration of the presentation of character, for both the beginner and seasoned professional. Guy Gallo?s credentials as a screen writer include Under the Volcano (1984) directed by John Huston plus teleplays for American Playhouse (1986) and Tales From the Darkside (1987).
Because Gallo has chosen a creative approach to his subject I found the first chapters confusing and rather jumbled. I understand Aristotle?s Poetics had a key influence on drama but to begin a book on modern day screenwriting with a lengthy and detailed reference to ancient Greek drama seems heavy handed. An example of Gallo?s approach in the early chapters illustrates his scholarly style ? ?Character mediates the transformation from fable through event to plotted construct.?
The book takes on more relevance for the average reader starting at Chapter Three when the nuts and bolts of writing a screenplay begin. After discussing the shooting script and continuity screenplay Gallo informs us that the Master Shot screenplay, written by a single author (or collaborating partners) with a single vision is the primary focus of the book.
?The master shot screenplay is both a teaching document and an act of seduction.?
Gallo?s observations offers insights into the writing process which has to include ?discovery and risk.? An important aspect covered by Gallo is the voice of the author vs. the voice of the character. ?Is it my character speaking Or is it me, the author?? Gallo tells us to ?Stop thinking about dialogue as information disguised as speech.? Character must speak to human interest, empathy and emotion.
Gallo?s book isn?t an easy read. It is often too scholarly in tone and you feel you are listening to a lecture. For those expecting an easy magical formula for successful screenwriting this book isn?t for you.?It has to be read (and re-read) slowly and the information digested bite by bite. As any writer will tell you there is no easy formula for success. Gallo provides the writer a framework to work within. On that level the book is successful. The rest relies on the talent of the individual writer. And that cannot be taught.
Review by Paul Green copyright 2012. Thanks to Becky Sahm of Big?Picture Media.
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