It's an opening that I don't think many people doubt is one of the greats, but I rarely hear it brought up as a point of study. I suspect that's because it's a hard genre film, whereas something like JAWS or RAIDERS are more universally appreciated.
I thought your comment that this film exists in the same universe as other horror movies was interesting. Obviously, its self awareness was a big thing when it was first released but I’d never really appreciated that other scary films prior to this didn’t really acknowledge horror as a genre within their stories.
I remember watching this when it first came out and my boyfriend and I nodding knowingly at the mention of Friday the 13th, knowing that Craven had directed it, and this was dissing the sequels. It was one of the first times I remember getting a reference like that.💕 we felt like we were part of a club.
Fantastic analysis and article, Cole. Thank you so much.
Just getting caught up. Another excellent breakdown of an excellent film. As always, you provide actionable insight. Thanks for all your hard work. Love this newsletter.
Thanks for such a lovely note, Joseph. I always thought I'd end up an academic. Who knew that urge was going to turn into a Substack? I'm especially grateful to hear that anything I write is actionable.
Great write-up! There’s a reason I generally don’t watch horror (though I occasionally can read it). As you predicted, I couldn’t stop reading the script or your analysis, but was scared witless, even after you said Casey would die. I was afraid my heart couldn’t take it!
Love this! Theee act structure with three different genres in the opening! And the fact that Craven directed it and kept the self-reference to his movie and require readers to define it as a whole new “universe” of slasher pics — is meta before meta was the thing.
Cole - what screenplays do you recommend with incredible openers that would be categorized as fantasy?
Good question, Steve. I'm going to have to think about this one, if that's okay. I know I have a fantasy script compilation I'm working on for later this year, but that's still a ways off. More soon, but feel free to give me a prod if I don't come back to you.
Love this! SCREAM was one of *the* pop culture artifacts of my adolescence and it's been very rewarding as I've gotten older to be able to understand it "professionally." That opening is like a perfect short film.
Amazing read; clicked on it during my work out and kept reading during several exercises, the analysis alone is great, but the screenplay had me hooked again after almost knowing it by heart!
God, I love this film! Genuinely one of the most memorable openings ever.
It's an opening that I don't think many people doubt is one of the greats, but I rarely hear it brought up as a point of study. I suspect that's because it's a hard genre film, whereas something like JAWS or RAIDERS are more universally appreciated.
I thought your comment that this film exists in the same universe as other horror movies was interesting. Obviously, its self awareness was a big thing when it was first released but I’d never really appreciated that other scary films prior to this didn’t really acknowledge horror as a genre within their stories.
I remember watching this when it first came out and my boyfriend and I nodding knowingly at the mention of Friday the 13th, knowing that Craven had directed it, and this was dissing the sequels. It was one of the first times I remember getting a reference like that.💕 we felt like we were part of a club.
Fantastic analysis and article, Cole. Thank you so much.
Craven was a wonderful person. I was lucky enough to know and work with him before he died. Utterly brilliant filmmaker. Thanks for reading, Sheila.
Freaking great article thanks very much Cole
You're welcome, Thomas!
Hi, do you know that playing Casey was Drew’s idea?
Wes never mentioned that to me, but I have a vague recollection of hearing that somewhere else. Perhaps a DVD feature.
What a banger. Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome!
Great breakdown. Classic sequence.
Thanks, Guy!
Just getting caught up. Another excellent breakdown of an excellent film. As always, you provide actionable insight. Thanks for all your hard work. Love this newsletter.
Thanks for such a lovely note, Joseph. I always thought I'd end up an academic. Who knew that urge was going to turn into a Substack? I'm especially grateful to hear that anything I write is actionable.
Great write-up! There’s a reason I generally don’t watch horror (though I occasionally can read it). As you predicted, I couldn’t stop reading the script or your analysis, but was scared witless, even after you said Casey would die. I was afraid my heart couldn’t take it!
It's such a good script for this very reason.
Love this! Theee act structure with three different genres in the opening! And the fact that Craven directed it and kept the self-reference to his movie and require readers to define it as a whole new “universe” of slasher pics — is meta before meta was the thing.
Cole - what screenplays do you recommend with incredible openers that would be categorized as fantasy?
As always - thanks for the insightful piece!
Good question, Steve. I'm going to have to think about this one, if that's okay. I know I have a fantasy script compilation I'm working on for later this year, but that's still a ways off. More soon, but feel free to give me a prod if I don't come back to you.
Of course! Beautiful, will do!
Love this! SCREAM was one of *the* pop culture artifacts of my adolescence and it's been very rewarding as I've gotten older to be able to understand it "professionally." That opening is like a perfect short film.
I'm glad to hear this resonated with you at all, Tania!
Amazing read; clicked on it during my work out and kept reading during several exercises, the analysis alone is great, but the screenplay had me hooked again after almost knowing it by heart!
Maybe I need to market myself as gym reading?! I'm glad I gave you something to do other than exercise today. It's a wonderful script.
I think you should market it as 'so intriguing, you will forget what you were doing!'
It's going in my marketing plan - heh - thanks!