Rediscovering an old pastime of mine…

OK… so, here’s a strange pastime that I used to love doing when I was in uni.

I’d often go back to a movie that I’d already seen and read the script while I’m watching it again. As somebody who was studying cinematic arts and looking to get better at writing, I always found the comparison between how scenes played out on the page to how they played out on the screen quite fascinating, because unless writers/directors are particularly protective of what they’ve written, it’s not always a straightforward translation. Things get added, things get deleted, many of the visuals details are fleshed out, etc.

It’s also fun to see how writers… well, write their scripts. Today, I went back and rewatched the first two Benoit Blanc movies and I’d read the scripts for both movies. One thing I do find interesting about them is writer/director Rian Johnson’s writing style, especially with Knives Out. Most of the action lines are short, direct and snappy with some specific descriptions here and there, but it also leaves a lot of room for the filmmakers and actors to expand upon. I’d say Johnson’s scripts for the Benoit Blanc movies are definitely worth a read if you’re looking to get into screenwriting… or if, like myself, you’re looking to get back into writing.

So, yeah. Slow news day, but I do wanna get back into writing and sometimes, the best way to find inspiration for writing is by reading.

Also… yes, I know I did say that I wanna try and wean myself off of my habitual second-screen viewing in 2026, but reading a script while also watching the movie at the same time is my exception to the rule, mostly because it’s with movies I’ve watched before, like the Benoit Blanc films.