The Magic and Importance of Screenwriting
The Magic & Importance of Screenwriting
Part 1: Writer’s Strike & Writer’s Experiences
In this blog piece we will be looking at the importance of writers in our filmmaking industry, discussing why it is important to include writer’s experiences and stories in the films we love and watch. In this first part of a two-part series, we look at the recent writer’s strike and writer’s experiences in award winning films.
On May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) made the decision to go on a strike. Many screenwriters in Hollywood decided to protest against the unfair wages as well as demanding better residuals, and more fair deals along with protections against the usage of artificial intelligence (AI). Later on July 13, 2023, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) joined the strike putting many other upcoming movies and TV shows on indefinite holds.
On September 27, 2023, the WGA strike concluded with most corporate companies agreeing to comply with writers' demands. However, the SAG-AFTRA strike is still ongoing since no deal has been set between actors and studios, leaving the possibility for films becoming postponed and TV shows getting canceled. Screenwriting brings many memorable stories to life and without the dedication and creative talent of these writers, your favorite films would’ve never been possible. Let’s look at four Oscar-winning screenplays that set the example as to why screenwriting is still crucial for the film industry to this day despite all advanced technological advancements like AI.
Four Oscar-Winning Screenplays
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) won the award for Best Original Screenplay at the 79th Academy Awards thanks to American screenwriter Michael Arndt. Arndt’s writing process for the film was extensive but worthy. Michael dedicated all of this time to bringing the story of a family who goes on adventurous quests for the sake of Olive Hoover winning the beauty pageant of Little Miss Sunshine to life.
Juno (2007) Directed by Jason Reitman
The coming-of-age-comedy drama film Juno (2007) also won Best Original Screenplay at the 80th Academy Awards thanks to screenwriter Diablo Cody. Cody claims to love writing about controversial topics and poke fun at them. This would eventually lead to the spontaneous inspiration for Juno where Cody imagines an outspoken witty pregnant teenager and a married upper middle-class couple together in a living room going through a painfully awkward adoption process. No one would’ve imagined that a taboo subject like teen pregnancy could’ve turned into a heartwarming story.
Parasite (2019) Directed by Bong Joon-Ho
The South Korean satire dark comedy film Parasite (2019) also won Best Original Screenplay at the 92nd Academy Awards thanks to Jin Won-Han and the director himself Bong Joon-Ho. Joon-Ho and Won-Han were able with the writing itself turn a dark comedy and satire critiquing the capitalist system into an unforgettable psychological horror about the effects of wealth and economic inequality.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) Directed by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Lastly, the 2023 Oscar-winning film, Everything Everywhere all at Once (2023) also won Best Original Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards thanks to the iconic duo, the Daniels. From directing the music video “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon, to advertising for huge brands like Nike and Levis, the Daniels wanted to take the time to explore and create a multiverse story of the immigrant experience by using an “anti-structure” strategy within their screenwriting process. “In another life, I would have just really liked to do laundry and taxes with you.” A single emotionally destructive line had audiences sobbing for days about what true love is.
Takeaway:
Overall, screenwriters are crucial to the filmmaking process and are the pillar of this industry. You can ask AI to come up and write as many stories as it can, but it will never be able to replace the authentic human experience. No form of technology can ever replicate the kind of magic these writers can bring to life.
All of these gifted screenwriters and directors committed themselves to their projects. Thanks to their hardwork and diligence, many aspiring writers and film directors look up to them now, However, it is not an easy path to take as it can take up many years for your ideas to come to life or for you to see the fruits of your labor, in our next piece we will look at Michael Arndt’s film and Little Miss Sunshine where the film took a total of six years for it to be complete, discussing the writer’s process throughout the project.
Sources:
- https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-aftra-responds-studios-progress-seen-1235769774/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/08/09/hollywood-writers-strike-heres-a-timeline-of-what-led-to-the-100-day-mark/?sh=7ba7ce767ad3
- https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/how-daniels-pulled-off-their-sci-fi-multiverse-immigrant-story-everything-everywhere-all-at-once/
- https://k1047.com/listicle/the-daniels-works-before-eeaao/
- https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/how-michael-arndt-wrote-little-miss-sunshine-9fc9c5dea9c2
- https://deadline.com/2020/01/parasite-script-bong-joon-ho-screenplay-read-it-1202819558/
- https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/how-they-write-a-script-diablo-cody-dd96f5ce493f