Page One: “Tár” (2022)

Written by Todd Field

A trailer for the movie:

You may read the screenplay here.

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

Loads of people freaked out on Twitter about the format and style (one huge paragraph of scene description!) how it goes against so-called screenwriting ‘rules’ (e.g., You must never write more than three lines per scene description paragraph). Three things:

• As many noted on Twitter, this is a script written by an established writer-director (Todd Field), so he can do pretty much whatever he wants (practically speaking as long as his draft results in $$ to make the movie).
• If you actually read the scene description, it’s compelling as hell. Several people on Twitter noted that as well.
• As far as Hollywood’s path of least resistance goes, even though not a rule, I would encourage you not to write long paragraphs like that, simply because it makes it harder for the reader.

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.

You may follow the daily conversation on Twitter as I cross-post there: @GoIntoTheStory.