So, for my birthday week, Iโve chosen a film that I absolutely adore. One of my favourite films of all time โ CORALINE.
Plot in a nutshell: When 11 year old Coraline Jones moves with her neglectful parents to a mysterious old house, she stumbles upon another world that is a strangely idealised version of her own homeโฆwhere everybody has buttons instead of eyes and a worrying need for her to stayโฆ
I love, love, love, love, love this movie! One of my all time faves, in my top three and a must as far as Iโm concerned. So reading the script was a no brainer for me. Soโฆhow was it?
Happily, everything I expected. A truly wonderful story (in itself an adaptation of the Neil Gaimen book) and a faithful and enjoyable script. There is a detailed pattern to the writing of the action directions that I think differentiates this animated script from a live action script. My first animated script read, it was really enlightening to see the attention the descriptions that the various people, places, animals, creatures and objects are given to help reveal every detail that makes up the foundation of these creations. More than we are usually privy to, it is certainly an experience!
So, what did I learn from CORALINE?
1) Excitingly, this is the first time I have experienced sounds and sound effects being used in a script to further the atmosphere and action of the scene. From the distinctly different sounds of the myriad magical denizens of the Other world, to the actions and surroundings of the real world, it adds so much to the atmosphere, that it just elevated the whole world being portrayed here. For me, it is the single strongest reason for reading this script and another element to be explored by budding writers out there.
2) Straight in on page two, there is a detailed sequence where a mysterious spy watches Coraline, following her, trying to remain unseen. We jump between the spyโs POV and Coraline, trailing her as she innocently goes about her business. Excellent scene to use if you need some inspiration on how to write a similar cat and mouse style piece.
3) Around p. 68, we are introduced to the otherworldly Bobinsky Mouse circus. An incredible musical number in the film, here it is an array of images and interactions just waiting for someone to turn it into magic. The beat has been written in and it is really difficult to read this without seeing the number in your head (if youโve been lucky enough to watch the film). But a great example of how to write a scene for a musical number without having any idea of what the actual music will sound like yet. Or if you do know, then even better, as this will have coordinated actions into the script. Great reference point and well worth taking a read just to see how itโs done.
4) The black cat is a superb touchstone between worlds. A creature that remains silent in the real world, yet speaks in the other world. When asked why by Coraline, the cat replies โbecause I canโ. For people who know cats, it is a very cat-like response and a great device. Nice trick if you need to jump between worlds (a device used before with cats in the Keanu Reeves starrer CONSTANTINE, by the way) and certainly worth noting.
This script is just the beginning of what has eventually become a magical and very special piece of film. To know that when we writers sit and take our writing implements before us, readying ourselves to channel the aether into our world, that it will someday become something as beautiful as thisโฆthat really is truly magical.
Never stop writing. Please. There are so many incredible stories yet to be told and odds are, yours will be the nextโฆ
Link to the script;
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