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French screenwriter's advice to film makers - It's the story
By Xu Wenwen |
December 13, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
FRENCH screenwriter Yves Lavandier, who is famous as the "script doctor," is working on a film about a shy and sensitive man who falls in love with an actress and must court her on stage as a crowd jeers.
Lavandier says his independent feature film "Culbuto" is his "best story ever" and is being "tested" on audiences. A release date has not yet been set.
The script doctor was in Hangzhou last weekend during French Movie Week held by Alliance Francaise de Hangzhou.
He is the author of "Writing Drama," considered a bible among European scriptwriters and playwrights, on a par with "Story" by Robert McKee, Hollywood screenwriter.
"Writing Drama" was first published in 1993, with new editions in 1997, 2004 and 2008; it is also available in English, Italian and Spanish.
Lavandier say he hopes his independent feature "Culbuto" will be commercially successful, the hope of all independent film makers.
"This is the piece that satisfies me most," he says of the story about the shy star-struck lover who must go on stage and make a fool of himself to woo the actress he loves.
Lavandier, who is 52, is a freelancer - he writes for TV, films, stage plays and operas. He is often paid by writers and production teams to make suggestions to improve scripts. He teaches script writing around Europe.
He has directed one film "Yes, but" (2001). He has won several audience awards at festivals around the world. He owns a publishing and production company, Le Clown & l'Enfant.
Before he turned to a screen career, Lavandier studied civil engineering for six years.
"I wasn't mature when I went for civil engineering studies, but then I understood that I didn't like it at all," he says. "I found out I was a moviegoer, so I began to study film."
He studied at Columbia University from 1983 to 1985 and his teachers included Milo? Forman, Franti?ek Daniel, Stefan Sharf and Brad Dourif.
After graduating in film studies, Lavandier wanted to direct feature films. No one hired him but many people asked him to write scripts. Meanwhile, he started teaching drama writing in film schools, which led to his opus "Writing Drama."
His thoughts on script writing were first a 12-page handout to his students. "It was only when the handout grew to 100 pages that I considered writing a book," he says, calling the book the fruit of film studies, teaching experience, script writing and 20 years of cultural exposure.
"Writing Drama" cites around 1,400 works: from comic books and TV shows to operas and feature films. He advises anyone who wants to read "Writing Drama" to first be familiar with many of the works he cites.
From his boyhood till today, Lavandier especially admires Charlie Chaplin for combining tragedy and comedy. He himself prefers tragicomedy, such as his film "Yes, but" which deals with growing up, psychotherapy and teenage sexuality. The Chinese audience at the screening was moved to both laughter and tears.
Quick Q&A
Q: What are the three most important elements of a good movie?
A: A good story, a good story and a good story.
Q: What are the three most important elements of a good script?
A: Conflicts, structure and humanity.
Q: Any suggestions about scriptwriters' disputes with directors?
A: To the scriptwriter: at least you need to try once to direct your own script.
To director: remember to put "written by" on the credits at the start. There couldn't be only a "film by." This shows respect for the whole crew.
Q: What would you like to tell our readers?
A: Please stop making and buying illegal DVDs.
Lavandier says his independent feature film "Culbuto" is his "best story ever" and is being "tested" on audiences. A release date has not yet been set.
The script doctor was in Hangzhou last weekend during French Movie Week held by Alliance Francaise de Hangzhou.
He is the author of "Writing Drama," considered a bible among European scriptwriters and playwrights, on a par with "Story" by Robert McKee, Hollywood screenwriter.
"Writing Drama" was first published in 1993, with new editions in 1997, 2004 and 2008; it is also available in English, Italian and Spanish.
Lavandier say he hopes his independent feature "Culbuto" will be commercially successful, the hope of all independent film makers.
"This is the piece that satisfies me most," he says of the story about the shy star-struck lover who must go on stage and make a fool of himself to woo the actress he loves.
Lavandier, who is 52, is a freelancer - he writes for TV, films, stage plays and operas. He is often paid by writers and production teams to make suggestions to improve scripts. He teaches script writing around Europe.
He has directed one film "Yes, but" (2001). He has won several audience awards at festivals around the world. He owns a publishing and production company, Le Clown & l'Enfant.
Before he turned to a screen career, Lavandier studied civil engineering for six years.
"I wasn't mature when I went for civil engineering studies, but then I understood that I didn't like it at all," he says. "I found out I was a moviegoer, so I began to study film."
He studied at Columbia University from 1983 to 1985 and his teachers included Milo? Forman, Franti?ek Daniel, Stefan Sharf and Brad Dourif.
After graduating in film studies, Lavandier wanted to direct feature films. No one hired him but many people asked him to write scripts. Meanwhile, he started teaching drama writing in film schools, which led to his opus "Writing Drama."
His thoughts on script writing were first a 12-page handout to his students. "It was only when the handout grew to 100 pages that I considered writing a book," he says, calling the book the fruit of film studies, teaching experience, script writing and 20 years of cultural exposure.
"Writing Drama" cites around 1,400 works: from comic books and TV shows to operas and feature films. He advises anyone who wants to read "Writing Drama" to first be familiar with many of the works he cites.
From his boyhood till today, Lavandier especially admires Charlie Chaplin for combining tragedy and comedy. He himself prefers tragicomedy, such as his film "Yes, but" which deals with growing up, psychotherapy and teenage sexuality. The Chinese audience at the screening was moved to both laughter and tears.
Quick Q&A
Q: What are the three most important elements of a good movie?
A: A good story, a good story and a good story.
Q: What are the three most important elements of a good script?
A: Conflicts, structure and humanity.
Q: Any suggestions about scriptwriters' disputes with directors?
A: To the scriptwriter: at least you need to try once to direct your own script.
To director: remember to put "written by" on the credits at the start. There couldn't be only a "film by." This shows respect for the whole crew.
Q: What would you like to tell our readers?
A: Please stop making and buying illegal DVDs.
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