Abstract Tumblr Themes

Video Post Sat, Sep. 01, 2012 18,649 notes

okng:

Don’t you love how his failed attempt to hold back his smile at the end translates into “Well played.”

(Source: jamesbadgedale, via reagan-was-a-horrible-president)

#Aaron Sorkin#Jeff Daniels#Will McAvoy#The Newsroom
»Reblog«



Chat Post Tue, Aug. 07, 2012 127 notes

The Newsroom: Corporations/People

  • MacKenzie: What's the difference between a corporation and a person?
  • Sloan: Have you ever held a door open for someone?
  • MacKenzie: Yes.
  • Sloan: Did you ask them for money first?
  • MacKenzie: No.
  • Sloan: That's the difference.
#Aaron Sorkin
»Reblog«



Photo Post Sat, Jul. 07, 2012 45 notes

thakate: yourouserabbles: The West Wing Companion, p. 98 I just said to Daniel last night while watching a few episodes of my beloved West Wing, how much I adore Joey Lucas.  Funny when these things pop up on your radar. 

thakate:

yourouserabbles:

The West Wing Companion, p. 98

I just said to Daniel last night while watching a few episodes of my beloved West Wing, how much I adore Joey Lucas. 

Funny when these things pop up on your radar. 

(via reagan-was-a-horrible-president)

#Marlee Matlin#the west wing#joey lucas#Aaron Sorkin
»Reblog«




Photo Post Sat, Jun. 23, 2012 16 notes

writer-b: The transcript above from the third writer’s draft of “A Few Good Men,” by Aaron Sorkin, helps perfectly illustrate a win in the development process, specifically in scene, character, and story evolution.  Throughout the film, assistant defense attorney Sam Weinberg ( Kevin Pollack) makes the argument, (referencing the Nazi’s trial at Nuremberg and Calley’s Officers’ defense of the massacre at My Lai) that, blindly following orders of a superior officer, even if ethical in the context which the orders were given, may be immoral and in fact, unethical and illegal in a greater context. Simply, “I was just following orders,” is not an excuse: KAFFEE: You don't believe them. You think they should get life. SAM: I believe every word of their story. And I think they should get life. In the above-cap’d final scene Dawson and Downey (the Marines accused of murder) have been found “not guilty” of all charges but one: they are dishonorably discharged for “conduct unbecoming a U.S. Marine.” As written in the early third draft, after the decision Dawson, still in denial of his moral duty as a Marine, can’t understand the verdict and Sorkin makes it incumbent upon Sam to explain to him what, in fact, his honorable duty was. Again, we’ve heard Sam make this argument repeatedly and as such, this late in the third act, it falls a bit flat. What we want, and what Sorkin and director Rob Reiner ultimately give us, is Dawson making the realization on his own, having learned from Kaffey’s stunning and courageous examination of Colonel Jessep in the face of potential court martial. This ability to empathize and learn on the part of Dawson demonstrates growth in his character arc, at the same time further validating and underscoring Kaffey’s growth and the overwhelming risk he took on Dawson and Downey’s behalf. Compare the cap above to the scene which made the film: Downey: We did nothing wrong! Dawson: Yeah, we did. We're supposed to fight for people who can't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy. What Reiner gives Sam - and us - immediately following this is a look for a couple of beats, a moment of acknowledgment, and we get it all. I have no idea how the change was made from this draft to that finally shot, but it really nicely demonstrates the difference between good and great filmmaking. Just a wonderful job of elevating material by two masters.  

writer-b:

The transcript above from the third writer’s draft of “A Few Good Men,” by Aaron Sorkin, helps perfectly illustrate a win in the development process, specifically in scene, character, and story evolution. 

Throughout the film, assistant defense attorney Sam Weinberg ( Kevin Pollack) makes the argument, (referencing the Nazi’s trial at Nuremberg and Calley’s Officers’ defense of the massacre at My Lai) that, blindly following orders of a superior officer, even if ethical in the context which the orders were given, may be immoral and in fact, unethical and illegal in a greater context. Simply, “I was just following orders,” is not an excuse:

KAFFEE: You don't believe them. You think they should get life.
SAM: I believe every word of their story.  And I think they should get life.

In the above-cap’d final scene Dawson and Downey (the Marines accused of murder) have been found “not guilty” of all charges but one: they are dishonorably discharged for “conduct unbecoming a U.S. Marine.” As written in the early third draft, after the decision Dawson, still in denial of his moral duty as a Marine, can’t understand the verdict and Sorkin makes it incumbent upon Sam to explain to him what, in fact, his honorable duty was. Again, we’ve heard Sam make this argument repeatedly and as such, this late in the third act, it falls a bit flat. What we want, and what Sorkin and director Rob Reiner ultimately give us, is Dawson making the realization on his own, having learned from Kaffey’s stunning and courageous examination of Colonel Jessep in the face of potential court martial. This ability to empathize and learn on the part of Dawson demonstrates growth in his character arc, at the same time further validating and underscoring Kaffey’s growth and the overwhelming risk he took on Dawson and Downey’s behalf. Compare the cap above to the scene which made the film:

Downey: We did nothing wrong!
Dawson: Yeah, we did. We're supposed to fight for people who can't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.

What Reiner gives Sam - and us - immediately following this is a look for a couple of beats, a moment of acknowledgment, and we get it all.

I have no idea how the change was made from this draft to that finally shot, but it really nicely demonstrates the difference between good and great filmmaking.

Just a wonderful job of elevating material by two masters.  

#A Few Good Men#educational#favorite movies#literature#writing#Aaron Sorkin
»Reblog«


1/1