Screenwriting : Page One: "Cast Away" (2000) by Maurice Vaughan

One of my favorite films. I don't really care much about the script but it sets a wonderful visual mood and I'm really moved by the huge foreshadowing that carried through from the opening bookend to the final bookend. It's an artistic masterpiece in a style seldom if ever seen in the current wave of Pablum style movies.

It's one of my favorite films also, Doug Nelson. How did you react when Wilson floated away?

Tom Hanks was a guest recently on Bill Simmons podcast and he explained how he and the writer came up with the idea together, pitched it to studios and was rejected. Then Zemeckis liked the idea but there was no script, something like 10 years passed, then all three got together to make the movie and the studio bosses said yes, but only if Zemeckis directs another picture- basically forcing an Oscar winning Director to make 2 movies for 1 salary! I dont believe Tom Hanks is credited with co-writing Cast Away.

I have no idea who typed Cast Away screenwriting pages after they filmed. Hanks said they still had no script when they started filming.

Thanks for sharing that, Dan MaxXx. I didn't know that's how the movie came about. Even someone like Tom Hanks was rejected.

I read Halle Berry had a similar situation with "Bruised."

When Wilson floated away - that was a true screenwriter's moment. When things look as bleak as possible - things take a turn for the worse. Brilliant story showing.

It was a true screenwriter's moment/brilliant story showing, Doug Nelson. I thought they were both going to make it off the island.

Well, Wilson did make it off the island, but Tom Hank's character didn't get back home with him.

But, what happened to the ring Tom Hanks gave Helen Hunt?

It's been years since I've seen the movie, Robert Timsah. I don't remember the ring.

A goofy mockumentary short I wrote featured Cast Away, and you posting this made me chuckle. https://robert-timsah.com/feedback-addiction/

"Feedback Addiction" was humorous, Robert Timsah. I enjoyed reading it. Unique idea. One feedback: I think the ending should be different. It feels like the story is incomplete. Maybe she gets help for her addiction.

Nice website. I think it's a good idea this "Page One" thing.

You can learn some things by reading a part of the script, then watching that part from the movie.

You're right, Florin Şumălan. By seeing what was included and what wasn't included, It can help you not overwrite scripts.

Also you can see how the director approached the scene, what camera moves and angles he used, how the editing was done...

You're right, Florin Şumălan.

Anyway, thank you for posting this, Maurice Vaughan !

Thanks, Maurice, for giving it a read. Funny thing is Cast Away is one of my favorite films, lol. But if someone is ever interested in shooting Feedback Addiction, or I do it myself, I might re-examine the ending. Thanks again and good luck with your writing.

You're welcome, Robert Timsah. The script reminds me of "Stranger Than Fiction."

Simply love Cast Away, as I feel it's a truly underappreciated piece of filmmaking.