David Mamet, I love you
March 23rd, 2010 (09:55 pm)
David Mamet created the TV show "The Unit." He wrote notes to his writers. In all capital letters. As you would expect, these are gold.
You've heard of the Bechdel Test ("I only go to a movie if it satisfies three basic requirements. One, it has to have at least two women in it who, two, talk to each other about three, something besides a man"). Now there's the Mamet Corollary, which is:
ANY TIME TWO CHARACTERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A THIRD, THE SCENE IS A CROCK OF SHIT.
Other wise Mamet insights:
ANY TIME ANY CHARACTER IS SAYING TO ANOTHER “AS YOU KNOW”, THAT IS, TELLING ANOTHER CHARACTER WHAT YOU, THE WRITER, NEED THE AUDIENCE TO KNOW, THE SCENE IS A CROCK OF SHIT.
DO *NOT* WRITE A CROCK OF SHIT. WRITE A RIPPING THREE, FOUR, SEVEN MINUTE SCENE WHICH MOVES THE STORY ALONG, AND YOU CAN, VERY SOON, BUY A HOUSE IN BEL AIR *AND* HIRE SOMEONE TO LIVE THERE FOR YOU.
Originally posted here, picked up here, and transcribed fully and legibly (IMPORTANT) here.
Originally posted on my DW. |
As you know, it's Mamet's world, and we're just living in it.
His book On Directing Film is short and excellent; highly recommended!