Script Analysis: “The Artist” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

Today: The Artist (2011). You may download the script here.

Written by Michel Hazanavicius.

IMDb plot summary: A silent movie star meets a young dancer, but the arrival of talking pictures sends their careers in opposite directions.

The Artist
Scene-By-Scene Breakdown
By Traci Nell Peterson
GoIntoTheStory.com

1–3 Story set up: SILENT FILM, time period 1927, Hollywood. Silent film star GEORGE VALENTIN works his hero magic on the silver screen with trusty dog JACK and co-star CONSTANCE GRAY. George’s on screen character flippantly states Theme: “No. I don’t get helped. I give the help around here.”

4–5 Meet PRODUCER ZIMMER. George, Jack, Constance and Zimmer wait behind silver screen for audience reaction to opening night. It’s a hit. George’s solo, limelight-hog arrogance grates Zimmer and Gray, audience doesn’t see it, he’s a Silver Screen God.

6 Mass of fans meet George outside premiere. Meet PEPPY MILLER, aspiring actress — she’s got gumption. She accidentally manages to meet/pose with George for photogs. Next morning’s THR newspaper headline, “WHO’S THAT GIRL?” George’s wife DORIS, isn’t amused

7 Peppy enjoys her anonymous moment of fame, so proud of headline/pics. She gets her first break, a film extra (dancing girl) at KINOGRAPH STUDIOS.

8 CHAUFFEUR drives George and Jack to Kinograph Studios. In dressing room, George gets make-up, Chauffeur autographs stack of photos for George’s fans. George sends Chauffeur on errand to get peace-offering gift for Doris.

9–10 On the set, Zimmer isn’t happy about headlines — film isn’t mentioned until page 5! George and Peppy have a dance-off, meet-cute moment, but Zimmer doesn’t laugh. He fires Peppy for her part in the headline. George quietly exerts his star-power. Tense moment, Zimmer gives in, Peppy stays.

10 George begins his scene, after several funny dance-sequence takes with Peppy, funny mood turns intimate; they both feel their chemistry.

11–13 George shoots a swashbuckler scene, Zimmer interrupts calls George to a screening room, he shows George the screen test of Constance — SHE TALKS! Suits, Zimmer thrilled, George mocks it, disdainful. Zimmer fumes.

14 Back in dressing room, George moves an item on dresser; it makes a SOUND. All around him things make sounds, even Jack barks. He runs through studio, so much noise, but George cannot speak or scream. He bolts upright from nightmare. Silent film resumes.

15 Morning, driven by Chauffeur, George goes to Kinograph Studios. It’s abandoned, no one. It feels very much like nightmare when crew worker shows up, hands George a newspaper with headlines that studio gives up silent productions to work on talkies. George is furious.

16 George forces his way into Zimmer’s office, talking with sound engineers, reviewing plans. Zimmer and George have standoff, longtime coming. George no longer the darling, Zimmer and Kinograph wants fresh blood, the new Kinograph poster touts “new faces” with Peppy’s framed portrait. George vows to make his own silent film.

17 George descends the Kinograph staircase, Peppy ascends, they pass, Peppy stops one step above him. She’s thrilled to see him, she’s got a lead role! George is sincerely happy for her. She gives him her phone number asks him to call herPeppy never suspects George’s turmoil. She blows him a kiss, he catches.

18 At home, George and Doris fight, she harms Jack, the last straw.

19 MONTAGE: George begins filming, Tears of Love. George writes, acts, directs and signs lots of checks, but he is happy. He hams it up behind the scenes — a comedic genius — but during filming he’s all about drama. The cutesy melodrama mock-up poster he chooses features himself front and center; release date Oct. 25th. Later, walking the streets he sees the stylish movie poster for “Beauty Spot” featuring Peppy Miller’s comedy debut — also debuting on Oct. 25th. Ad campaign for Peppy is in full swing — she’s everywhere and she talks! George’s ads are austere, defensive in his insistence that he’s an “artist!”

20 In a restaurant, George eats with Chauffeur, Peppy arrives with two reporters, she unknowingly sits back to back with George. A bit full of herself and the press attention, she chatters, attributing her rise in fame to being able to talk and audiences tired of old actors pulling faces — time for a youth takeover. George, gestures for her to take his seat. Peppy immediately regrets her boastings.

21 Day of films release, and of the stock market crash. George gets a call — he’s ruined. George takes it stoically, even laughs. Chauffeur can’t manage to join him. Reviews for his film are scathing. Peppy’s movie is a hit. George finds the scrap of paper with Peppy’s phone number, reaches to call her, but decides against it. Peppy startles awake, as if sensing the phone about to ring. Nothing, she goes back to sleep.

22 George watches his film in public theater, it’s nearly empty. A couple gets up to leave mid-movie. Outside theater, people are lined up to see Peppy’s film — it’s a hit.

22–23 At home, Doris has left George a defaced photo of himself with a note that she’s kicking him out — with a P.S. that he should go see Peppy’s film, “it’s incredible.” Good sport George leaves the house.

23 Peppy watches George’s film, her date is bored, not Peppy. The scene: George is slowly engulfed by quicksand, while others stand by unable or unwilling to help. Peppy is sad, despite date’s complaints, she watches it all the way through.

24 Peppy shows up on George’s doorstep, wants to talk about his movie, but realizes he’s drunk. He’s bitter and misunderstands Peppy’s motives for coming. Things get more awkward when Peppy’s date walks up to door, eager to meet George and give him the “My dad loves you” compliment George and Jack watch Peppy leave, she’s visibly angry at her date.

25–26 In the rain, theater worker removes marquee words, leaves only “Tears.” In her dressing room at studio, Peppy puts on her make-up, still sad for George. Her star keeps rising, with posters and clips from 4 new movies. Now she has make-up artists, hairdressers attending to her needs, but she stays grounded.

26–27 Now, George is alone, less of the “it” factor, always a bit drunk bumbling around small apartment looking for more to drink. At a new low, he pawns his iconic tuxedo, gives Chauffeur the limousine in lieu of last year’s pay. George arranges an auction for all his objets d’art, furniture, costumes, etc.

28 Low attendance at auction, but every item is sold, mostly to a distinguished man. Distinguished man leaves auction and gets into Peppy’s car.

29 George gets smashed at favorite bar — has a “Tears of Love” African vision of a smaller version of himself shooting at him. Chauffeur comes to bar, takes George back to apartment, he’s worried.

29 Later, George walks into theater featuring Peppy in “Guardian Angel.” George is absorbed, cries, laughs with the rest of the full house audience. No longer a recognized actor, just a man with a cute dog.

30–32 George watches his old films on the wall of his apartment, Zorro. The image jumps and goes white, George sees the outline of himself, what he’s become. He yells, now very aware of his former arrogance, stupidity. In a fit of rage George throws cans and cans of film at his shadow, reels of film exposed across the floor. Madness peaks with him lighting the film on fire. In seconds, he’s engulfed, Jack runs for help, finds a cop, pulls on his pant leg. Meanwhile, George flails on the floor trying to put out fire when he finds an unopened can of reel, holds onto it, succumbs to smoke. Cop and Jack rescue unconscious George, pull him from apartment.

32 Title card: 1931 While on set, Peppy gets word of the accident, still in costume, she leaves set.

33 Frantic Peppy runs through hospital, finds George lying on hospital bed unconscious, covered in bandages. Doctor assures her he just needs rest. Doctor explains the can of film, had to pry it away from him. Peppy opens it unrolls some of the film — its the dance-sequence — the only time they filmed together, years before.

34 Peppy brings George to her home to convalesce. During the night, George awakens, nurse rushes to get Peppy. Peppy runs to George in her nightgown, wraps her arms around him, so happy!

34 Next morning, Peppy eats breakfast with George in his room. She eats, laughs, talks — catching up on the years. Peppy realizes the time, has to go to work. George smiles kindly, but each feel that she has work and he doesn’t.

35 Now alone, George tours Peppy’s gorgeous house, follows Jack to a room, inside it appears to be a store room, sheets cover all the items. Just as he is about to investigate further, door opens, a maid stands in the light. George smiles, leaves the room, maid leaves without explanation.

35 Peppy is on set at Kinograph, she sits with Producer a screenplay on the table between them. Peppy tries to convince Producer to offer George the role. Producer disagrees, George belongs in past, a nobody today. While he talks, Peppy removes her accessories and hat, threatens/blackmails Producer that she’ll quit if he doesn’t hire George. She’s so irresistible, even at attempted blackmail, Producer caves.

36 Chauffeur brings the screenplay to George, explains that he works for Peppy now, he offers George the screenplay and breaks form to explain that Peppy has always looked out for George.

37 Intuition leads George back to the store room in Peppy’s house. He removes the sheets, revealing all the items he sold at auction; including the life-size oil painting of himself. The Maid and Butler arrive at the room, George takes a better look at them realizes the Butler is the man who bought all the items at auction and the Maid is the woman that kept driving up the auction price. Shocked, George leaves room. He dresses into his burnt clothes and leaves Peppy’s house.

38 Looking like a bum, George returns to his apartment’s street. He’s rebuffed by a begging man, he doesn’t recognize himself in a window reflection, a police officer tries to engage in friendly banter, but George is confused, lost.

38–39 Peppy arrives home, an armful of fresh flowers. Maid tells her George has left.

39 George is back at his burned house, depression sinks him even further.

39 Peppy listens as Maid explains about the store room incident, worried Peppy runs from house to car. She doesn’t wait for Chauffeur, drives the car herself; she’s a reckless driver, but only has one thought on her mind.

39 George sits in his apartment, downs a drink then opens a box, pistol inside. Jack barks, sensing the worst. Peppy speeds closer, ignoring all road safety. George picks up pistol, Jack barks, pulls at George’s trouser.

39 Peppy continues her race through streets.

39 George puts pistol in his mouth, Jack is barking like mad. George closes his eyes.

40 Title card: BANG! Pistol still in mouth, George startles at the noise, from outside. He removes pistol rushes to window.

40–41 Outside, Peppy’s car has crashed against the house gate. Peppy jumps out of car, runs into house. Peppy bursts into George’s room, he awkwardly hides pistol. Distraught, Peppy tries to explain her motives. George explains it’s not her fault, he opens his arms to her, gun goes off! No one hurt, but it’s so absurd that Peppy laughs then throws herself into George’s arms. Peppy is hopeful for George’s future; he is more realistic — “nothing but a shadow.” Peppy hears the window shutter, and Jack’s tail bang out a rhythm; a sudden idea. She tells him he’s got something no one else has. Peppy does a few tap steps. George doesn’t get it. Peppy continues, George half-hearted joins her, the moves get more complex — George smiles, he gets it!

41 In Zimmer’s office George and Peppy tap out a dance routine that we hear and see. Zimmer is very happy. Now on a film set, George and Peppy’s dancing chemistry is on fire. A grand finale, George and Peppy hold their pose and smiles for the camera. DIRECTOR and Zimmer are blown away, Director speaks, “Cut! Excellent!” Director asks Peppy and George, “One more please?” We hear George’s laugh, “With pleasure!”

THE END

Credits run while we hear all the chatter and noises of a working set… ending with “OK, Camera! Sound! Rolling… and… Action!”

Writing Exercise: I encourage you to read the script, but short of that, if you’ve seen the movie, go through this scene-by-scene breakdown. What stands out to you about it from a structural standpoint?

If you’d like a PDF of The Artist script scene-by-scene breakdown, go here.

Major kudos to Traci Nell Peterson for doing this week’s breakdown.

For over 100 more movie script scene-by-scene breakdowns, go here.

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