Page One: ‘Broadcast News’ (1987)

Written by James L. Brooks

The entire opening sequence of the script is terrific. Here’s the rest of it:

James L. Brooks, who was ‘raised’ as a television writer, e.g., The Mary Tyler Moore Show, is a master of Creativity meets Efficiency. This opening is a great example: Three characters introduced as youths, each scene two pages long. Six entertaining pages, cut to the present, and we’re off and running, the central characters already defined in our minds. It’s brilliant writing.

Page One is a daily Go Into The Story series featuring the first page of notable movie scripts from the classic era to contemporary times. Comparing them is an excellent way to study a variety of writing styles and see how professional writers start a story.

For more Page One posts, go here.

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