Writing The Lens And Losing The Crutches
by JUDY KELLEM

Writers in all forms will often launch into long explanations when told that
something in their material is confusing, hard to see, hard to follow or
obscure. They are often even indignant, unable to believe that what is in their
head has not been transmitted verbatim to their reader's brain and
will sometimes defensively lash out at the blank faced person who continues to
helplessly shrug, "Sorry it just doesn't make sense, I don't see it, you'll have
to clarify".

It is hard, but in fact the writer must constantly remember and remind the self
that the WRITING MUST DO ALL the work.

That's the challenge of the craft.

People may love, hate, be left cold or full of inspiration by one's material but
bottom line, they must at minimum get it. The task of the writer is to
communicate effectively and then let those pages go, for one cannot follow one's
work around the globe, tapping every reader on the shoulder to explain
what "was really meant."

In screenwriting the challenge is all the more daunting for screenplays are best
when the reader forgets they are even reading and believe that they are having a VISUAL EXPERIENCE. Just as a trained musician can "read" a piece of music and HEAR it as if strings were actually being plucked before them,
the screenwriter relies on their words to make someone WATCH a film reel
projected in their mind.

Though a musician can include a CD with their note filled pages, screenwriting
is different. In screenplay writing, THE WORD MUST STAND ALONE.
So when screenwriters include pictures, photos, manuals, diagrams and the like
to accompany their scripts, I always try to gently remind them that not only is
it a sure sign of being a rookie, but that the whole point of showing off one's
ability as a screenwriter is to demonstrate how one can evoke imagery via
language. No crutches necessary. No explanations enclosed. The script speaks
for itself.

Your WRITING creates "filmic" images, gives us "cinematic" fantasies. IT paints
the pictures, takes the photos, plays the music, shoots the lens in specific
directions. You prove your ability to handle the craft by letting dialogue and
description transport your reader into being an AUDIENCE who is wowed by what they SEE.

THE PAGES of your script convey the reality. Case closed.


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