1. Aims and context
The screenplay I have written is based on Hollywood scripts, following the quest narrative
and is a hybrid genre of action horror with elements of comedy. I have used a very popular
genre, vampires. Many big Hollywood movies seem to be based on the vampire genre
because of the film Twilight. Hollywood likes to make popular films involving the zeitgeist of
the time. Unlike independent films that aim for taboo subjects no one talks about such a
rape etc. Hollywood screenplays use the zeitgeist as a tool to provoke fear and enjoyment
for the audience. The film screenplay I have written is about a psychotic priest the
antagonist that wants to get revenge on vampires that killed his family when he was a child,
it’s a cat and mouse chase to find the protagonist. Since it’s a Hollywood screenplay there
would be a happy ending with the protagonist defeating the antagonist and resolving the
disruption and carrying on his life with the new re-equilibrium. The scene I have written is
set in the first hour mark of the film and ends with the first time the antagonist and
protagonist first meet. Although the screenplay doesn’t follow the traditional narrative
structure because the are flashbacks many other Hollywood films still do this now and have
become less of a independent theme because it has been repeated so much in various other
films. I have used many religious characters and anti religious to create a big difference
between each other. My script focus on religious extremism using vampires as metaphors
for who ever the religious groups target hate e.g. race or sexuality. I have used the religious
antagonist to provoked fear of being out casted hated for being different and unable to live
within society, To reflect the zeitgeist of other religious extremists in todays world. Although
the film screenplay may have underlying themes on the surface would be a tense action
movie for mainstream audiences. The narrative would follow Vladimir Propp’s theory. There
would be an equilibrium disruption then re-equilibrium and feature the typical characters
such as the hero, villain, false hero the donor etc. unlike a independent film that would not
follow the typical Propp theory. The dialog of the film at points seems very unrealistic such
as “the power of Christ compels you, mother fucker” this has been purposely done to show
similarities with many other action packed Hollywood movies and actor such as Arnold
Schwarzenegger. There is all so an element of comedy in the dialog too because it’s so
unreal and untrue it becomes funny. Since it’s a Hollywood film big Hollywood stars such as
Samuel L Jackson a well know actor to play baddies would play the antagonist and another
well known actor both favourable for male and female audiences to play the protagonist
such as Gerard Butler. Although the screen play shows elements of an independent film
such as the themes of religious zeitgeist over all the film has been Hollywood styled with
such simple character, unrealistic dialog and events.
Lewis Stewart