Headwaters of Screenwriting: The Art of Crafting Original Screenplays

By DB Thakuri

Headwaters of Screenwriting: The Art of Crafting Original Screenplays explores eternal principles and theory of crafting truly compelling screenplays beyond the 'short-cuts,' and 'mechanical rules.' It is a must for screenwriters at all levels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DB Thakuri
• Release date: Oct 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223977551

DB Thakuri

DB Thakuri, born in Palpa, Nepal, is a highly accomplished author, screenwriter and script consultant with over a decade of experience in filmmaking. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Tribhuvan University. As a member of the Film Directors' Guild of Nepal, Thakuri has been an integral part of the filmmaking community. Thakuri imparts his expertise to aspiring filmmakers through guest lectures at various institutions. Additionally, he has authored the book "Headwaters of Screenwriting: The Art of Crafting Original Screenplays" and " Reflection of History in Blood Diamond: The Power of Cinema."  Beyond his professional endeavors, Thakuri loves football, mountains, and eternal solitude.    Email: [e-mail] www.dbthakuri.com

Book preview

HEADWATERS OF SCREENWRITING

The Art of Crafting Original Screenplays

DB THAKURI

Copyright © 2023 DB THAKURI

COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2023 by DB Thakuri All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of DB Thakuri.

Thakuri, DB, 1984 – Headwaters of Screenwriting: The Art of Crafting Original Screenplays / DB Thakuri.

Includes filmography.

Includes bibliographical references.

Dedicated to my son, Shubham

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

PREFACE

PART I: IDEATION

CHAPTER: 1 CONCEPT OF SCREENPLAY

CHAPTER: 2 TREATMENT OF SCREENPLAY

CHAPTER: 3 RESEARCH

PART: II CRAFTING NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

CHAPTER: 4 NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

PART: III FOUNDATION OF SCREENPLAY

CHAPTER: 5 BUILDING BLOCKS OF SCREENPLAY

PART: IV DEVELOPING SCREENPLAY

CHAPTER: 6 SCENE

CHAPTER: 7 DIALOGUE

CHAPTER: 8 FORMAT OF SCREENPLAY

CHAPTER: 9 THE FIRST DRAFT

PART: V EVALUATING STORY

CHAPTER: 10 THE REWRITES

CHAPTER: 11 THE FINAL EDIT

PART: VI ADDITIONAL

CHAPTER: 12 ADAPTATION

CHAPTER: 13 COLLABORATION

CHAPTER: 14 THE ART OF PITCHING

FILMOGRAPHY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Acknowledgement

About The Author

PREFACE

This book, Headwaters of Screenwriting: The Art of Crafting Original Screenplays is a practical and comprehensive guide for screenwriters at all levels. It helps you to understand yourself and immerse yourself in the journey of storytelling, being a successful screenwriter. 

There are various theories and advice like; ‘write what we know’, ‘write what we are passionate about’, ‘writing a page every day’, ‘show, do not tell’, etc. There is some truth but the reality is that they are not helpful during writing a screenplay. They attempted to popularize ‘how–to’ techniques but they are devoid of both theoretical and pragmatic justification because they essentially have inductive interpretations of pre-existing screenplays.

Aspiring screenwriters are quite unsatisfied with theoretical and pragmatic validation while writing the screenplay. The purpose of this book is to find practical solutions to those theoretical problems. It explores the eternal principles and theory of finding the subject, creating a central dramatic problem, developing character, weaving the plot, crafting conflict, finding original narrative structure, etc. It simply provides a creative tool to craft a compelling screenplay.

There is no absolute mechanical rule in screenwriting because the scope of knowledge and art is infinite. It is always meaningful to clarify even a few areas of screenwriting to create some discourse in the youngest and most beautiful composite art form of cinema. The main purpose of forwarding a few of my ideas in this book is to focus on the eternal principles and theory of crafting a truly compelling and original screenplay.

◆◆◆

PART I: IDEATION

Every compelling story provides a new status quo.

IN THIS PART:

●       Concept of Screenplay

●       Treatment of Screenplay

●       Research

CHAPTER: 1 CONCEPT OF SCREENPLAY

The artists tell stories to seek the possible version of harmony in the world through emotional transformation.

In this chapter…

●       Concept of a Great Screenplay

●       Ideation: Pursuing the Story Idea

●       Basic Nature of Screenwriting

A. CONCEPT OF A GREAT SCREENPLAY

The tradition of storytelling has existed since the beginning of humankind. Artists tell stories to look for transformation through specific emotional effects. They creatively reflect and project society to seek a possible version of harmony in the world. Many great screenplays have stood the test of time and continue to be revered by audiences and critics alike. These great screenplays have transcended the medium, speaking to human experiences profoundly and universally. That is why only great screenplays survive and pass through many cultures and generations.

A great screenplay is more than just a good story; it is about how that story is being told. Crafting a great screenplay requires the ability to weave a compelling story that provokes strong emotions and deep thoughts. A compelling story builds the highest momentum of a specific dramatic conflict, and then it releases the suppressed emotions in the audience. It creatively unfolds the scenario of the highest dramatic tension and stakes of a particular story idea for the sense of transformation. It drives the audience into their meditative world and provides a sense of a new status quo. In this way, every great story resonates with the audience across cultures and generations and continues to be celebrated and studied, inspiring new screenwriters and cinephiles to appreciate its brilliance and enduring impact.

B. IDEATION: PURSUING THE STORY IDEA

There is a misapprehension that there is nothing new under the sun - every story has been told. However, every artist has personal narrative circumstances. The dullness or greatness of the subject depends upon the screenwriter’s artistic execution. Indeed, every artist has personal experience, point of view, and individual creative process.

The core subjects of human stories are similar on deeper levels. It happens due to innate conflict in the imperfect world. Geography, belief system, culture, etc., may make lives a little different but human feeling is somehow similar all over the world. The original identity of the story is established through the personal narrative circumstances because every screenwriter has different experiences and philosophical values. The personal perspective on a specific subject helps to craft a truly compelling and original story. 

Many raw ideas seem big and appealing but the master screenwriter comes through a clear point of view and strong emotion while creating a story. The core subject of the screenplay essentially comes from discovering one's own world – essentially from a particular human problem and strong emotion. The story grows completely within the screenwriter's realm and urges for its artistic expression.

In addition, a screenwriter can have multiple interests to create several strong stories. The spark of an idea for the story can come from anywhere like; experience, imagination, memory, etc. Sometimes, the best creative effort is explored through the passion and ambition to discover more about the unknown. This strong fascination with a particular subject demands comprehensive research and creative exploration. Subsequently, the subject of the story idea grows completely within the screenwriter’s world which ultimately demands expression. Indeed, the story idea consciously or subconsciously comes from the screenwriter’s world after the complete growth of a particular subject.

C. BASIC NATURE OF SCREENWRITING

Screenwriting is the art of writing scripts for movies, television shows, web series, and other forms of visual media. It entails a collaborative process as the screenwriter has to work closely with the director, producers, actors, director of photography, editor, sound designer, colorist, and many other creative professionals to bring the specific vision to life on the screen.

The motion picture was born in the late 19th century. Lumiere brothers (August Lumiere and Louis Lumiere) screened a 49-second short comedy film, The Water Watered on the 10th of June, in 1895 A.D. which is the earliest known instance of a fictional story in the film. The professional discipline of screenwriting has evolved gradually after the world's first commercial, public screening of 10 short films in Paris, France by the Lumieres on the 28th of December, in 1895 A.D.

Every art form exists with its particular principles. Screenwriting is an art form of storytelling through an audio-visual medium i.e., cinema. It is a composite art form of storytelling, based on the involvement of many other domains of art forms like; prose, poetry, acting, painting, music, etc.

Stage plays emphasize dialogue, novels emphasize description but screenplays emphasize visuals. Moreover, writing a screenplay is more like a poem. Poet's craft is in distilling complicated images or emotions in the minimalistic version of words. The beauty of screenwriting