British Professor Claims to have Discovered the Formula for a Perfect Screenplay
May 13th, 2003
(NOTE FROM EDITOR: Dear aspiring screenwriter, please do not take this report to heart, it is, if anything, humorous.)
Move over Syd Field, a British professor believes she has found the answer that all Hollywood executives seeks: the formula for making box office hits.
"I analyzed frame by frame what elements were present in different film genres and what made certain films successful," said Sue Clayton from London University while lecturing on screenwriting and directing at the Cannes film festival.
According to Clayton, the make-up for the perfect film is as follows: 30 percent action, 17 percent comedy, 13 percent good versus evil, 12 percent sex/romance, 10 percent special effects, 10 percent plot and 8 percent music.
Clayton, a movie director in her own right, noted she was careful to examine different film types. "It was important to look at all film genres and not just the big box office winners -- that would have skewered the research," she told Reuters.
The study was based on breaking down the components from a range of hits on the British screen from "The Full Monty" and "Notting Hill" to U.S. blockbusters such as "Die Another Day" and "Titanic." Clayton said there were five basic film types -- Romantic Comedy, Comedy Caper, Action/Adventure, Epic/Romance and Special Effects/Fantasy.
While the movie "Shakespeare in Love" scored close to having the right combination of ingredients it could have done with more special effects, Clayton's research suggested. Interestingly enough, the film that best represents her formula of success goes to a kids movie: "Toy Story 2".
(Source: Reuters)
Move over Syd Field, a British professor believes she has found the answer that all Hollywood executives seeks: the formula for making box office hits.
"I analyzed frame by frame what elements were present in different film genres and what made certain films successful," said Sue Clayton from London University while lecturing on screenwriting and directing at the Cannes film festival.
According to Clayton, the make-up for the perfect film is as follows: 30 percent action, 17 percent comedy, 13 percent good versus evil, 12 percent sex/romance, 10 percent special effects, 10 percent plot and 8 percent music.
Clayton, a movie director in her own right, noted she was careful to examine different film types. "It was important to look at all film genres and not just the big box office winners -- that would have skewered the research," she told Reuters.
The study was based on breaking down the components from a range of hits on the British screen from "The Full Monty" and "Notting Hill" to U.S. blockbusters such as "Die Another Day" and "Titanic." Clayton said there were five basic film types -- Romantic Comedy, Comedy Caper, Action/Adventure, Epic/Romance and Special Effects/Fantasy.
While the movie "Shakespeare in Love" scored close to having the right combination of ingredients it could have done with more special effects, Clayton's research suggested. Interestingly enough, the film that best represents her formula of success goes to a kids movie: "Toy Story 2".
(Source: Reuters)
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