Page One: “Grosse Pointe Blank” (1997)

Screenplay by Tom Jankiewicz and D.V. DeVincentis & Steve Pink & John Cusack, story by Tom Jankiewicz

A trailer for the movie:

Seeing as there are lots of SHOTS in the movie Grosse Pointe Blank, that of the gunfire kind, how convenient that the screenplay also uses SHOTS, that of the script kind.

Once the script establishes the primary location with the scene heading:

EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAWN

It uses a bunch of shots to relocate the action, point of focus, or both:

A POLISHED BRASS SPRINKLER HEAD

FLEET OF DUCKLINGS

GRAVEYARD OF GOLF BALLS, UNDERWATER

PALM FRONDS

A BRAND-NEW TITLEIST 3 BALL.

HANDS

YELLOW TROUSERS

THE GLOVED HAND

If you are confused about the differences between a scene heading (primary slugline) and a shot (secondary slugline), read this.

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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