Unlocking the Hidden Depths: A Riveting Scene-by-Scene Journey Through "Boyhood"

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

Today: Boyhood (2014). You may download the script here.

Written by Richard Linklater.

IMDb plot summary: The life of a young man, Mason, from age 5 to age 18.

Boyhood
Scene-By-Scene Breakdown
By Jacob Jensen
GoIntoTheStory.com

(p.1–2) We are introduced to our curious lead protagonist MASON and his mother OLIVIA. We found out that Mason has been rather distracted at school and not turning in his homework. We can tell that he is very curious about things, and always has a reason for what he does.

(p.2–3) Mason and his friend TOMMY spray paint a concrete wall in the middle of a drainage ditch. A girl named SAMANTHA, his sister (although we don’t know for sure) comes looking for Mason.

(p.3–4) We are introduced to TED, who is either Olivia’s husband or boyfriend, probably the latter. He seems to have a bond with Mason. He wants to go out with Olivia, but one problem — they don’t have a babysitter.

(p.4–5) Olivia reads a story to Mason and the other kids.