Page One: “Dune” (2021)

Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth, based on the novel by Frank Herbert

A trailer for the movie:

Several people tweeted comments about the scripts first page:

And my favorite:

Here’s the thing: Warner Bros. has tagged this file as the “final” draft, so we may assume it’s close to the shooting script. At that point, so-called screenwriting “rules” can fall by the wayside because the focus for the script at this stage of the process is the production process. It’s the one thing the entire team will “touch” for the duration of the shoot. The objective here is not the same as a spec script — tell a story the best, most entertaining way possible to excite somebody who can say “yes” to say “yes.” This draft of Dune has has someone say “yes” months ago. Now it’s time to go make the movie. Whatever is needed for actors, director, cinematographer, production design, art department, UPM, line producer, etc., can be included in a production draft.

Takeaway: Don’t look at style and format in shooting scripts as a guide on how to write a spec script. The production drat may hew to the feel and look of a spec script, but it also may not. When we write a spec, we are writing it for readers, whether people providing script coverage, potential producers, actors, and directors, and/or studio executives. Feel free to write the script the best way possible to convey that particular story.

You may read the screenplay here.

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

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.

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