Sunday, August 05, 2007

Reading Casablanca in Louisiana

My writers group has been doing something interesting the past few weeks. As part of exploring how screenwriters handle exposition through dialogue, we’ve been reading the script of Casablanca. I mean, literally reading it. Every Monday night for the last couple of weeks we’ve been sitting around and reading the script aloud. Just to make it fun we’ve mixed up the sexes. I’m Rick, and Charles is Ilsa.

Amusement aside, it’s been an interesting exercise. Going over the script aloud, taking turns at reading our parts, has given us a new appreciation for how great a screenplay Casablanca is, even after all these years. Not only is the exposition well done, but the characterization is superb. We hope to finish it tonight, then next week we’re going to have party and watch the movie!

Oh, and the new homepage for my website is up! The entire new site won’t be ready until late September or so, but the temporary entry page looks great. Check it out at csharris.net.

5 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

That is a cool entryway. I like it.

Thanks for outing me as Ilsa.

Farrah Rochon said...

What a great exercise! I'm hoping to get a script writer to teach screenwriting techniques at a SOLA meeting.

Love the entry way on your new website. That cover is beautiful.

Sphinx Ink said...

Absolutely FABulous, dahling! (Or, since we're in N.O., dawlin'.)

Steve Malley said...

COol page. I need to do something with my two train wrecks.

In STORY, Robert McKee does a line-by-line breakdown of a scene from Casablanca, showing the submerged conflicts and constant reversals in even a 'simple' conversation.

Love that movie!

Unknown said...

Love the home page.....visually enticing.

Great idea on the script. Thanks.