Page One: “Mulholland Drive” (2001)

Written by David Lynch

The movie version of the opening:

The Page One tweet elicited some comments including:

This is a great example of why you should read screenplays. If you did, you would know:

• CUT TO (or DISSOLVE TO) has fallen out of favor because it’s essentially a waste of two line-spaces when, if you are consistent in using Scene Headings to indicate a new scene, you don’t need a transition.
• While contemporary expectations are no more than three lines per paragraph of scene description, you will still find writers who use longer paragraphs, even much longer. For example, Twelve Years a Slave.

I choose to limit scene description paragraphs to no more than three lines because it is easier to read. But it’s a choice, not a rule.

Read as many movie screenplays as you possibly can to expose yourself to different styles. Then find your own approach to a screenplay style.

You may read the screenplay for Mulholland Drive 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.

For more Page One posts, go here.