Page One: “The Martian” (2015)

Screenplay by Drew Goddard, based on the novel by Andy Weir

The movie version of the opening:

Huh. Bold sluglines. I thought was a “no-no.” More notable is this:

The “storm warning” — the key event which jump-starts the plotline and causes Watney to be left behind — happens on P. 3. In other words, the script gets the story moving right away.

This is an example something we see often in contemporary movies: Drop the audience into the action as soon as possible. Pick up exposition, setup, backstory, and character elements on the run during and after the Big Event.

You may download 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.

For more Page One posts, go here.

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