The classical Hollywood cinema tradition, which spanned from 1929 to 1945, established the most widespread notion ofscreenwriting, which focuses on the importance of a good story for a film to be successful. “A good film meant a good story told without complications.” So says Richard Jewell in his book The Golden Age of Cinema, 1929-1945. Beyond narrative conventionalism, it’s undeniable that a film with dialogues and lines that “click” with the audience is always more likely to succeed.
But, how does the screenplay being so important work in your favour? Especially when a limited budget is at hand, a good screenplay with memorable dialogues can balance out the lack of other technical resources and help you connect more with the audience. We have compiled five success stories of film directors that will most certainly encourage you in your creative process so you’ll believe us:
1. Christopher Nolan with Memento
In the year 2000, Christopher Nolan wrote and directed Memento, based on a short story written by his brother. This film was Nolan’s introduction letter and it won him a nomination for the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Budget: $9 Million.
Box office: $39 Million.
2. Richard Linklater with Before Sunrise
Can the greatest romance of your life last only one night? Under this premise, inspired by a real-life story that the he had, Richard Linklater fashioned Before Sunrise. The film that got Linklater the Silver Bear for Best Director.
Budget: $2.5 Million.
Box office: $61.5 Million.
3. Carla Simón with Summer 1993
Based on Carla Simón’s own life story, Summer 1993 portrays the loss of a mother at the age of six. This moving debut won enough hearts to get three Goya Awards and the Best First Feature Award at Berlinale.
Budget: $60k.
Box office: $2.7 Million.
4. Rodrigo Sorogoyen with Stockholm
Shot over the course of 13 days in the director’s own apartment, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Stockholm won Best Film Feroz Awards and Best New Actor at the 2014 Goya Awards.
Budget: $60k.
Box office: $50 Million.
5. Sylvester Stallone with Rocky
Legend has it that Sylvester Stallone wrote Rocky’s screenplay on a napkin and in three days… whether it’s true or not, what’s sure is that it was 1973’s biggest blockbuster and it won three Oscar awards.
Budget: $1.5 Million.
Box office: $225 Million.
What can you do if you want your film to meet with success worldwide?
You said a little prayer to the muses and your film is ready, now it’s time to get it out there so that it will become internationally renowned. In order to do that, the first thing you need to know is that you’re going to need an expert in audiovisual translation who understands your screenplay and who knows how to render its spirit into another language, the localisms… all of it. With our help, you can put your feet up and trust that your work will be understood, as will all of its nuances.
Ask for a quote without obligation and we will pitch in on your project from the word go.
