The Art of Writing Through "Misery" (1990) Film
The Art and Craft of Writing
As Portrayed in Film
OLLI Fall 2022
Week 3:
Story versus Reality
Film: “Misery” (1990)
Course Overview
•
Week 1:
Teaching and Writing (Part 1)
“The Wife”
•
Week 2:
(Part 2)
”Wonder Boys”
•
Week 3:
Story and Reality (Part 1: Readers)
“
Misery”
•
Week 4:
(Part 2: Authors)
“
Adaptation”
•
Week 5:
(Part 3: Characters)
“
Stranger Than Fiction”
•
Week 6:
Forging the Manuscript
”Genius”
•
Week 7:
Finding the Author’s Authentic Voice (Part 1)
“Little Women”
•
Week 8:
(Part 2)
“Finding Forester”
Todays Film: “Misery” (1990)
•
Screenplay:
William Goldman, based on the novel by Steven King
•
Nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Writing
•
Director:
Rob Reiner
•
Principle Cast
•
James Caan—
Paul Sheldon
•
Kathy Bates—
Annie Wilkes
•
Richard Farnsworth—
Sheriff Buster
•
Frances Sternhagen—
Deputy Virginia
•
Lauren Bacall—
Marcia Sindell
William Goldman’s Screenplays
(partial listing)
•
Harper
(Edgar, Best Screenplay, Mystery Writers of America)
•
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
(Oscar, Best Original Screenplay)
•
The Stepford Wives
•
The Great Waldo Pepper
•
Marathon Man
•
All the President’s Men
(Oscar, Best Adapted Screenplay)
•
A Bridge Too Far
•
The Princess Bride*
•
Misery
•
Magic*
(Edgar, Best Screenplay, Mystery Writers of America)
*
Screenplay adaptation of his own novels
“Misery”
Let’s watch the film
What does
“Misery”
say about
the Art and Craft of Writing?
What does
“Misery”
say about
the Art and Craft of Writing?
1. Although writing is communication between an
author and the reader,
writing solely to
please
the reader (or critic) is an empty exercise.
Writing must entertain, but that’s not enough.
What does
“Misery”
say about
the Art and Craft of Writing?
2. Make sure you have a copy of your work
(Preferably several copies)
What does
“Misery”
say about
the Art and Craft of Writing?
3. Writing rituals can be fun
(but they are not
really necessary).
(They may come in handy if you are kidnapped
by a deranged fan.)
What does
“Misery”
say about
the Art and Craft of Writing?
4. Eschew “Plot Armor”
“Plot Armor” is the armor a character accumulates which tells
the reader this character is too important to the story to die.
If your readers are absolutely
certain
you will not kill a certain
character,
that character needs to die.
Suspense is essential to involvement. Certainty kills suspense.
“Misery”
as an example of writing
What do you think?
Delve into the captivating narrative of "Misery" (1990) that sheds light on the intricate relationship between writers and their audience. The film highlights the complexities of the art and craft of writing, emphasizing the importance of genuine communication, the need for writing to captivate beyond mere entertainment, and the necessity of safeguarding one's work. Through the lens of acclaimed screenwriter William Goldman's adaptation of Stephen King's novel, "Misery" prompts reflection on the demands and challenges inherent in the creative process.
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Presentation Transcript
The Art and Craft of Writing As Portrayed in Film OLLI Fall 2022 Week 3: Story versus Reality Film: Misery (1990)
Course Overview Week 1: Teaching and Writing (Part 1) The Wife Week 2: (Part 2) Wonder Boys Week 3: Story and Reality (Part 1: Readers) Misery Week 4: (Part 2: Authors) Adaptation Week 5: (Part 3: Characters) Stranger Than Fiction Week 6: Forging the Manuscript Genius Week 7: Finding the Author s Authentic Voice (Part 1) Little Women Week 8: (Part 2) Finding Forester
Todays Film: Misery (1990) Screenplay: William Goldman, based on the novel by Steven King Nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Writing Director: Rob Reiner Principle Cast James Caan Paul Sheldon Kathy Bates Annie Wilkes Richard Farnsworth Sheriff Buster Frances Sternhagen Deputy Virginia Lauren Bacall Marcia Sindell
William Goldmans Screenplays (partial listing) Harper (Edgar, Best Screenplay, Mystery Writers of America) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Oscar, Best Original Screenplay) The Stepford Wives The Great Waldo Pepper Marathon Man All the President s Men (Oscar, Best Adapted Screenplay) A Bridge Too Far The Princess Bride* Misery Magic* (Edgar, Best Screenplay, Mystery Writers of America) * Screenplay adaptation of his own novels
Misery Let s watch the film
What does Misery say about the Art and Craft of Writing?
What does Misery say about the Art and Craft of Writing? 1. Although writing is communication between an author and the reader, writing solely to please the reader (or critic) is an empty exercise. Writing must entertain, but that s not enough.
What does Misery say about the Art and Craft of Writing? 2. Make sure you have a copy of your work (Preferably several copies)
What does Misery say about the Art and Craft of Writing? 3. Writing rituals can be fun (but they are not really necessary). (They may come in handy if you are kidnapped by a deranged fan.)
What does Misery say about the Art and Craft of Writing? 4. Eschew Plot Armor Plot Armor is the armor a character accumulates which tells the reader this character is too important to the story to die. If your readers are absolutely certain you will not kill a certain character, that character needs to die. Suspense is essential to involvement. Certainty kills suspense.
Misery as an example of writing What do you think?
