1917 - Writers' Workshop

Writers' Workshop - Why write a film designed to be made in the 'one-shot style? What can '1917' teach us about the storytelling benefits that can result from this approach? This week's intro contains some thoughts on joining a writers' group. The main topic is a screenplay breakdown of Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns' '1917', exploring how the narrative rules work in a real-time sequential story, the themes of remembrance and the metaphor of the unknown soldier, and plenty of observations and writing tips along the way. Bonus: Hear the epigraphs included on the first page of the screenplay! *** Want to comment, get news and join episode discussions? Join the community on Syncify: https://syncify.fm/podcast/the-21st-rewrite. Instagram: @the21strewrite. Website contact page: https://www.the21strewrite.com/contact *** Episode navigation: Writers' groups (2:21) Introduction to 1917 (9:56) This week's big question (14:11) Why is one-shot filmmaking considered a gimmick? (18:09) One-shot is how we experience life (20:14) Blake/Schofield as the Unknown Soldier and universal protagonist (22:59) Hook the audience from the first page (25:29) The narrative rules of sequential screenwriting (27:26) How we interpret time in film (30:23) 1917's opening structure (32:53) Entry into the unfamiliar world: No Man's Land (37:01) Approaching the midpoint (41:23) Telling two stories on-screen simultaneously (42:32) Key points of learning from the midpoint (44:55) How to continue after *that* midpoint (48:42) Breaking the film's own 'one-shot' rule, and why (51:13) The final sequences: resurrection (53:49) Key points from the ending (57:37) Conclusion (59:39)