Screenwriting : Scripts from the 70's vs today by Dayna Burnworth

Dayna Burnworth

Scripts from the 70's vs today

This month I've been reading scripts from some of my favorite horror/thriller films. Early in October, I started reading the original 'Amityville Horror' and was surprised by how different it was in every way to most scripts I've read. I don't know if anyone here has any backstory to it or not, but I'd love to hear about it.

From there I went to Jaws, Silence of the Lambs and then some more modern films like Get Out and Annabelle. Get Out's script was somewhat different from the finished product but some of them were pretty spot on.

Anyone have any favorites to add?

Chad Stroman

Casablanca is a good old one if you're looking at seeing how things evolve.

http://mckeestory.com/wp-content/uploads/Digital-CASABLANCA.pdf

Eric Christopherson

The Boys from Brazil

Shaun Goldsmith

I would highly recommend reading both versions of the script for "Alien" (1979). An early draft by Don O'Bannon and the other by Walter Hill and David Giler. Both can be easily found. You'll get an opportunity to review two contrasting styles of writing.

Jessub Flower

^ second on "Alien."

Carol Chang

Sorry to jump in here. Can one of you recommend where I can download movie scripts?

Jessub Flower

Two that are awesome: 1 is "Weekend Read" (a John August app look in apple store) small fee but totally worth it. Goes well with his Scriptnotes Podcast and has a lot of recent scripts. Second is simplyscripts.com, but you have to weed through some of them (don't think all are legit)

Carol Chang

Thanks!

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