Sometimes to make a powerful scene one line of description is enough. Sometimes a scene is all about one image. An unforgettable one…
That’s all: one line. Terseness and pure “show, don’t tell” style created one of the most iconic moments in the history of cinema. Director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Melissa Mathison worked together on the script.
This is how Mathison prepared us for this moment.
E.T. is eager to reach the middle of the forest. Elliot observes that the path is too bumpy, so they’ll have to walk. E.T. can’t wait… “With a focused concentration, he lifts the bicycle into the air”. Then, Elliot’s joy and E.T.’s excitement allow them to continue their ride.
The magical moment of Elliott flying away on his bike is a powerful image per se. While it does not need any embellishments, the writer makes sure you do not overlook it by framing it in its own, separate scene.
So, why would you include a scene that has very little to it (only one beat) in a blog that bears the title “the breakdown of screenplays” (and possibly the writer’s given the difficult nature of his job…)?
Well, because E.T. riding in the sky (and the final escape of Elliot and his friends which is set up here) is a tribute to a Miracle in Milan’s scene: Totò and Edvige take off on a besom at the end of De Sica’s movie.
Since this is the first post of the MISP’s blog – the blog of the Master in International Screenwriting and Production, which is held in Milan – this seemed to be a beautiful image to begin our journey together.
Here you will find analyses, discussions, news, recommendations of sites and articles… Anything regarding screenwriting and the world of screenwriters.
Anybody who writes or just love the craft of writing for the screen should feel at home reading this blog.
We hope that we’ll make you say “What a MISP!”.
In other words: enjoy.