Assuming we are all proficient in the mechanics and crafts of screenwriting and storytelling, I think the most important additional element I can have in any script - or any other product that I try to sell - is the element of zeitgest. Zeitgeist: The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. I have heard that term used by three different producers over the last couple months, and a few different executives in the industry that I work in over the last couple weeks, and I have to conclude that it really resonates with not just them, but with other producers and industry leaders as well. For me, to conceptualize/formulate/write/market a script without a strong sense of zeitgest would be a complete failure on my part. In a couple of my stories that were set in the past, I knew I had to accurately achieve how to portray those times. In my scripts that are set in current times, I know I have to accurately portray the current times the way they truly exist in the world around my characters and my story. That element not only adds another depth of accurately reflecting the times as they existed in "past times scripts", but in "current times scripts", it additionally adds a layer of relevance that could make my scripts more marketable . And the more relevant my "current times scripts" are, the better my chances are to get them financed. In "future times scripts" (I am working on my first one now), I get the added creative bonus of predicting/determining/implementing what those elements of zeitgeist may be. Those elements are obviously very important to that type of story, and even become the basis for those types of stories. In fact, the log-lines usually even start with that element. Most "future-time scripts" are mostly sci-fi based dramas, and many of those types of stories that I've seen are very interesting films because of that strong zeitgeist assumption and execution. I know that a lot of films don't really explore a deep sense of zeitgeist, and that they can exist in a land where that doesn't even need to be deeply presented or explored. Some may posit that it exists - and needs to exist - in all art. I'm just speaking for myself, but I think it's important to you as well, to understand that element of zeitgeist for whatever story you're working on; if it needs to be applied; and how to successfully apply it. Have a great weekend, everybody!
Screenwriting : Achieving Zeitgeist in Screenplays by Bill Costantini
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Your so right about getting the zeitgeist element as correct as is possible. That's the reason I usually prefer historical documentary to fiction. Films are hit and miss on this, often a fantastic dialogue and good characters, but it somehow feels wrong. I spend hours researching if I'm embarking on a historical script. Any specialised information, is good information, as long as its correct. I once spent the whole day exploring the Tower of London to get a feel for an Elizabethan sketch. I found a good few bits and pieces, I had not come across on the net or in libraries. Also the hints and tips i gleaned from the Beefeaters, (ones who were allowed to talk ) were invaluable. Happy Sunday All!
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Probably the best film where Zeitgeist worked in a film (for me) was Somewhere in Time... being a resident of Michigan, my first visit to The Grand Hotel was full of that zeitgeist... simply because, on Mackinac Island (where it was filmed)... there are no cars... only bicycles and horse-drawn carriages. :-) You wake up when the horse's hooves start clanking on the pavement below your room... what joy!
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Brian, Growing up in Chicago....I'd been to the Mac many times during the races. That movie is one of the most beautiful American fantasy films I've seen. My grandparents lived downstairs from us, and my grandfather used to play the Paganini Opus used in the film on the piano, like, every week. I used to accompany him on my guitar. He died in 1975, and I am his namesake; his spitting image; and very much like him mentally and intellectually. You can't imagine how utterly destroyed I was when I saw that movie in the movie theater years later, and the song started. I mean....I was just shattered. I still have a hard time listening to that song, but that really was a beautiful film.
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Debbie, That's great the way you're approaching your craft. I'd do it the same way. I love Europe. It is just so cool to be around fully-functional buildings that are as old and historical as the places in Europe. I am just so in awe of that. I can feel and sense the history when I'm in those old places. The most amazing place I have ever been to is the Sistene Chapel. I could just spend weeks there. What a genius Michelangelo was - and he was pretty much on his back and enslaved the whole time he did that. Man. Old London is great, too - they're all great. Even though you Europeans all talk funny and aren't very good at American sports, you sure have some great places to be around. Heh-heh.
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Hi Brian, Mackinac sounds ethereal, I would love to go there one day, to get the full experience. I did not know this island existed. I felt the same about film Somewhere In Time, I rarely well up inside during romantic dramas, but this one shot the arrow to my heart. It somehow got me to suspend my disbelief, even though a far fetched plot, because the Zeitgeist was spot on. Bill, Paganini Opus can bring tears to my eyes on the best of days, I well can imagine you totally crumbling, with the added emotion of grief. We are lucky in Europe to still have some Medieval buildings in good condition, where the history is in the walls. I went up to Yorkshire last month to see some relics, that have actors dressed the part, dotted around the forest. (Mother Shiptons cave/forest) Out of the blue Tudor foresters appeared with enormous black ravens tied to long rope, I checked that they are free to fly after work, unlike Tower of London ravens who have clipped wings. My reason for this visit was its the oldest recorded tourist sight seeing post in Britain, little known, but I like hidden gems because no one else will be writing about them. (Lol hopefully no one else!)
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Hi Bill, I haven't yet done the Sistene Chapel, but it's on my list. It's hard fitting in everything, because of finding the time to do all the necessary leg work, etc. Actually a few people here, myself included are interested in forming a coffee/culture club where members meet up, coming from different countries/states. This sounds like a pipe dream, given we are all busy, and some on tight budgets. However if organised properly with some sort of home swop/couch surfing facility, and low fare options, it's not impossible. It's a seed for thought that I'm putting to Stage 32, once the interest list reaches high numbers. In the meantime at least I've the chance to meet a couple of members, as Richard Botto is attending Raindance Film Festival London, end September. Serene Sunday to All!
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I learned to play Paganini's first few notes and played it on one of The Grand Hotel's grand pianos. Somewhere in Time is such a magical movie... because of its use of Zeitgeist. I cry every single time I watch it because... my last True Love in life gave me a VCR tape of it with "Eternally yours, Sophie" precisely hand-written on it... in her distinctive cursive Style... that she hid at the cabin where we last made love... on Lake Huron's lakeshore... which I've vacationed at since 1994. When I discovered her gift... after seeing her the last time I ever saw her... back in 1996... I watched it with furious tears of Love. Still have that VCR tape. Reminisce and go into Introspection each time I see her pen-written coda to me when I re-watch the film on that tape. Now that I've stayed at The Grand Hotel three times, I tear up every single time. I've been to that tree where they first met. Its Zietgeist lives there still. They even showed Somewhere in Time the very first night I stayed there in 2011... in The Grand Hotel's parlor. The audience was mostly older females. Those who stayed to watch all of the final credits walked away with tears in their eyes. What a glorious moment to be Alive. Talk about the tears... of joyous old-fashioned Romanticism!? Yow-za, yowza, yowza.
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Debbie, A coffee/culture club sounds like a great idea....you can even Skype it. One thing I didn't like about England...this was is 1995, so times have changed....but the coffee tasted different. It was more heavy-tasting. I don't know...maybe it's the water. The grass smells a lot different, though. American grass - mostly blue-grass and rye - has a sweet smell. England's grass is much more aromatic. I love that smell - maybe because most of grass in the pastoral areas is like a 1,000 years old.
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Brian, Wowza is right. That's a very meaningful and profound part of your life that you described. As an older guy who grew up in more traditional times with several generations of Italians who lived honorably and joyously, and with great passion and sensitivity...I can certainly relate. I had around 50 relatives living just on my block, and our house was like an opera every day - music, love, fights, reconciliations, parties and vengeances planned on a weekly basis. It was a wonderful non-stop feast. To balance and even augment the old-fashioned romanticism that runs through my blood, though, over the years I have incorporated a whole bunch of thrill-seeking existentialist activities that involve the usual Italian-created accoutrements - like floggers, crops, bindings and other fun stuff. Yes, the Italians beat the French to those creations...although the Asians mastered the art of rope bondage in ways that my Italian ancestors from the 1400's hadn't, I must sadly admit. It does kinda keeps me balanced, though. Heh-heh.
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Hi Brian many thanks for sharing your deep and profound true story. Also I must really go to this Grand Hotel now, and lean against "that tree." Thank God there are still some Romantics out there, this island Mackinac sounds like a patronage spot, complete with zeitgeist key lines. Bill, your right Skype is a good start, but I recently shared a thread where myself and another member agreed on the point, it would be more cool to meet personally. This of course would take much time, numbers gathering, and some sort of organisational director/specialised web page. However never say never, we are stage 32, the stuff dreams are made of Lol. The Italian inspired hobbies sound fascinating, binding what? Books or people? LOL. Peaceful Sunday Evening All!
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For me Bill - finding the zeitgeist is a bit like donning the cloak of a method actor. Donkeys years ago I worked on a screenplay about the murder of a white police officer and four young black men in what was essentially an American police/crime thriller. I'm a Brit. - so it was arranged with the Denver police force to embed me in a patrol car for a couple of weeks so that I could get to understand the patter, culture and systems that are in play. I am still drawing upon some of the stories we stumbled upon to this day. When I am writing about South African townships - I do exactly the same, embed with a family and absorb the dialogue and culture and then shamelessly skim good people to make my story more worthy and steep it in an air of realism. In some ways it's an artificial exercise - but my excuse is that I am trying to tell worthy stories and (although I must admit that I had not thought of it like that) create the zeitgeist that gets to the essence and spirit of the people that I am writing about. There can be an element of danger and self discovery in these exercises. I can remember one very drunk police officer - poking me in the chest with a very fat finger and telling me - "scratch the surface and all writers are selfish, nasty little shits". My first wife probably wouldn't have disagreed with him. Hungry young writers are often not particularly nice human beings.
Hi Peter Thanks for the tip on Sistene Chapel virtual tour, now I can get a clue as to the full glory, of what other members are talking about. Andrew I dig this maverick approach to doing social research on locations. I understand what you mean about "element of danger and self discovery". Often in life people search out and stick to the best comfort zone, avoiding or fearing the unknown, scared of testing out wild card situations. I don't think your exercise is "in some ways artificial" I think it's "beneficial" to us the readers, and the communities you are researching will get the benefit of inadvertently having their voices heard. Maybe they don't know your a writer, but then again do we all really know who anyone is? Working in an office in a city, can be equally a ship full of actors, and supposed allies. Of course though danger maybe micro, as opposed to macro, when on unknown turf. Self discovery is another thing, strange things have happened to me during research, in the fact I started to become one of them.