Nov 1 2007'National Treasure 2' Trailer is Great Tutorial for Screenwriting
How to write a National Treasure movie, as demonstrated in this new trailer to National Treasure: Book of Secrets:
1. Go by a screenwriting name that sounds like a PBS cartoon family. Book of Secrets is written by The Wibberleys, but something like The Flutentoots is fine too. Just make sure that saying it evokes the image of goofy animated morality tales and bright colors.
2. Get a 7th grade history textbook and, starting from a paragraph of your choice, create the craziest "what if" scenario you can think of. Don't be afraid to push the boundaries of your imagination into the realm of deeply insane or unfathomably stupid. That's actually encouraged.
3. Using the same textbook, flip to a random page and create another crazy scenario loosely based on a fact or term you find. If you're having trouble, look for something bolded.
4. Combine the two ideas. At this point, you should probably have something along the lines of "What if Batman read in the diary of John Wilkes Booth that his great-grandfather helped assassinate Lincoln, and what if a giant robot had to kidnap a U.S. president to get a book of every secret ever from him?
5. Like a bologna and cheese sandwich, when layered, these ideas will still look distinct and mismatched. Merge the crazy notions by replacing non-historical figures with Nicolas Cage. (Batman and a giant robot are just as viable options, but cost more than Nicolas Cage.)
6. Stretch your tissue thin idea into a two-hour screenplay. Pepper it with the pseudo-humor used by annoying uncles. Things like thinking it's funny to pretend you're hurt for a second, or pulling a book of secrets from behind someone's ear.
7. Well, you're done. If it hurts you to read, you probably did it right. And don't worry about any holes in the logic. Once Jerry Bruckheimer gets a hold of your masterpiece, he'll make it such a daze of explosions and car chases that no one will ever notice.
Thanks to Kyle for the tip.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets [Yahoo!]
Reader Comments
1. Sid - November 1, 2007 6:32 PM
The only difference being, I would actually pay to see a movie that pits batman vs. a giant robot vs. the President of the United States.
Oh, Nicholas, how the mighty have fallen, seems like it was only yesterday that you were getting an oscar nod for your searing performance in Leaving Las Vegas. That Sting song was nice too.
Just promise me no sequels to Ghost Rider and we'll be fine.
P.S : Oh, and..uh, First, or something
2. Kyle - November 1, 2007 7:59 PM
Hey Sid, you didn't hear?
They ARE making a sequel to GhostRider and combining it with THE WICKER MAN. Here is a first look at the vehicle:
http://suslik-ja.livejournal.com/12730.html
I think I'm going to joke Hell for that one.
3. databody - November 1, 2007 9:13 PM
^ ha ha ha!!
4. josh - November 2, 2007 12:21 AM
nice O face, Nick.
5. ivanm - November 2, 2007 9:41 AM
It is a good actor, very good adn coool
sexy woman
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2294244
6. Mac - November 2, 2007 11:51 AM
The picture looks like either the most teeth-filled bj ever or he's taking a big steaming sh!t.
7. Jumpin_J - November 2, 2007 12:31 PM
Mmmmm... bologna and cheesy goodness... aurghhhhh!!!!!!!
8. alex - November 2, 2007 2:20 PM
jerry bruckheimer's a jerk!