Bollywood songs are often distracting, says script guru

India Entertainment
Bollywood songs are often distracting, says script guru
By Arpana, IANS, Jan 2, 2007 - 8:46:07 AM

New Delhi, Jan 2 - Syd Field, one of the most sought after screenwriting teachers in the world, is baffled when Bollywood stars suddenly break into song and dance and says he often finds them distracting.

UTV, the producer of last year's mega hit 'Rang De Basanti', has invited Field to host a seminar and a workshop on techniques of script-writing, starting Jan 5 in Mumbai.

Field, who was associated with acclaimed films like 'White Palace' and 'City of Joy', has written books that include 'Screenplay', 'The Screenwriter's Workbook' and 'The Screenwriter's Problem Solver'.

He is currently on faculty at University of Southern California for the Master of Professional Writing Programme.

In a freewheeling chat with IANS, Field shares his plans for the upcoming seminar, views on Hindi films and also gives tips for the wannabes.

Excerpts from the interview:

A: It will be a workshop for everyone who wants to make good films. We will have a two-day seminar. On the first day, we will discuss what is script all about - basically the craft of screenwriting, what a good script comprises and how do you go about writing a good script. And on the second day we will discuss how to write the story with strong characters and a terrific ending.

A: Every screenplay has three parts - the beginning, middle and end. The sequence can be in a different way but a script is not complete without these three parts. It does not necessarily have to be in the prescribed standard format though.

A: They should watch lots of films and be very clear about the story and the characters. You can write a story and take it forward with very strong characters and you can also write characters and take it to a paradigm where the characters take the story forward. You should always depict the film in visuals.

A: Frankly speaking, I haven't seen too many Hindi films. I have seen very few. Recently I saw 'Rang De Basanti'. What surprises me is that in between a story suddenly I see song-and-dance sequences and sometimes I forget the story before that sequence. It is nice to be entertained but sometimes songs are not correctly incorporated in the story and are distracting.

A: I will categorise Hindi films in two parts: one, which has too many characters, songs, music, etc. In short a complete entertainer. The other type is 'Rang De Basanti' - a strong story with a social message that inspires and touches you. I would like to believe in the latter kind of story telling.

A: I guess I am happy being scriptwriter.

A: Depends on the person. The fact is unless you have a good script, its difficult to make a good film. Usually, once you write a script, you have to leave the script and then it's the director who takes over. Sometimes the directors have to make changes in the script while filming it and you don't have a say in that.

A: All the wannabes should see 'China Town', 'American Beauty', 'The Wild Bunch', 'The Searchers', 'The Little Miss Sunshine', and 'Red River'.