Why does he get writing credits?
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jazzybuddy — 17 years ago(March 21, 2009 05:20 AM)
Its a common misconception with Leigh's work that they're entirely improvised and have no script. All of his films are actually very high scripted, while they're based on improvisation. Like he mght come together with his actors on day one, ask them to improvise a particular scene and he will record this scene. Then he'll take the improvised script, give it to the actors and they can improvise around that script. That's the loose idea as far as I know it, and that will continue2000 until they have a wonderful script. So while the scenes are at their core: improvised, by the time they get to the screen they're scripted. Hence, Leigh gets writing credits.
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ExpressingYourself — 17 years ago(March 27, 2009 12:41 PM)
No I know, I'm aware that that's the way his films are made - but in any case, they ARE a collaborative process. He initiates it, helps it along, but it is, in a huge part, the ACTORS who create the words. It just seems a bit wierd to me.
What the hell's
wrong
with expressing yourself? -
ExpressingYourself — 16 years ago(June 11, 2009 05:53 AM)
I get your point, but I'm not bothered about the online credit - it's the fact that Mike Leigh gets nominated for Oscars which, although he is in the intiator and instigator, are largely collaborative efforts
What the hell's
wrong
with expressing yourself? -
Yorick_Brown — 16 years ago(June 11, 2009 06:25 AM)
Same deal. It'd be impractical to nominate all who took part in the collaboration. Best to just give it to the guy who created the story and wrote the script.
"With friends like these who needs friends?"
-Gossip Girl (CW) -
Yorick_Brown — 15 years ago(November 09, 2010 03:50 PM)
More than 4 or 5 people star in his movies so it'd be a ridiculous screen credit. Leigh created the story and chooses and edits the dialogue. More than enough to justify a sole screen credit.
I WON'T LET THIS BUILD UP INSIDE OF ME!!!
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evanm-3 — 14 years ago(June 17, 2011 10:56 AM)
The truth is, Leigh is far more the author of his scripts than most of the writers you see credited in Hollywood. The average commercial film is rewritten by uncredited script doctors, changed around by studios and producers and not to mention, more often than not, based off an existing source material or franchise. Leigh originates his ideas, is solely responsible for the story and plot, and after an improvisation process with his actors, personally sets every word of dialog in type. The screenwriter credit is by nature a dubious, hybrid beast, compared to writing for other media a standard which Mike Leigh meets and exceeds.
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dogstarman1 — 14 years ago(September 20, 2011 09:55 PM)
I think creating characters, scenarios, objectives and organizing and editing the dialogue is more than enough to claim sole credit imo. Anyone can come up with things to say as most of us do that everyday of our lives but Leigh provides context and order which is what makes it interesting. I do think it's a bit silly that Leigh's been nominated 5 times for the original screenplay Oscar given the fact that the reason his films are good and unique is because he doesn't really use one.
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DavesScriptsDotNet — 13 years ago(July 23, 2012 01:08 PM)
I do write screenplays! Ones that are somewhat actor driven as well, and I'd love to have Mike Leigh co-author one called the Unfunctionable Family cause I think it's right up his alley. Does anyone know him well enough to run this by him directly? The script is available for download on my site DavesScripts.net along with a 1-page synopsis and 1-page pitch. Any feedback or suggestions would be much appreciated!
David Long
DavesScripts.net -
Runie — 11 years ago(February 15, 2015 07:34 AM)
Clue is in the wording.
He writes them.. Infact he has more say in the writing of the films than many other screen writrs do , as his films arnt edited after by the producers. Just because he does he films on the fly(or some) doesn't mean he isn't telling the actors what to say.l -
sesquick-seabag — 10 years ago(June 26, 2015 07:51 AM)
A lot of brazen stupidity on this thread. So "setting down in type" (i.e. typing down dialogue that for all we know might have been improvised by actors) and devising scenarios means he should get the sole writer credit? I suppose you also think that, for example, a Tom Stoppard play or screenplay would still be entirely his own work even if he only transcribed dialogue he didn't compose personally, or at least not all of it? Absurd.
By the way, some of Leigh's earlier films and TV films give the credit "Devised and Directed By Mike Leigh", which seems more accurate and honest to me.