Unveiling the Dark Genius: A Scene-by-Scene Dissection of “Joker” That Will Change How You See the Film Forever
Ever wondered what happens when you strip a movie down to its bare bones—the very scenes that stitch its story together? Well, diving into a scene-by-scene breakdown isn’t just for the obsessively curious; it’s a powerful way to unpack how a narrative breathes and moves. This time around, we’re peeling back the layers of Todd Phillips and Scott Silver’s haunting masterpiece, Joker. Here, a scene isn’t just a clip of time but a pulse, a chunk of action that propels Arthur Fleck’s unsettling descent into the madness we recognize as the Joker. It’s kinda like watching the ticking hands of a clock, each tick a scene, each tock a moment that shapes the story’s chaotic rhythm. Ready to see the method behind the mayhem and maybe question your own idea of what makes a scene essential? Let’s jump right in. LEARN MORE
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.
This week: Joker. You can download the script here.
Written by Todd Phillips & Scott Silver, based on characters created by Bob Kane & Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson.
Plot summary: In Gotham City, mentally troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: the Joker.
Joker
Scene-By-Scene Breakdown
Rebecca Sapolsky
gointothestory.blcklst.com1 — (over black) news anchor giving the daily update and top story — day 18 of the garbage strike. Zoom in on a man (Arthur Flick, 30’s) putting on clown makeup in a full mirror. He tries to laugh, but tears up. He puts his fingers in the corners of his mouth to put it up into a grin, then pulls them down into an exaggerated frown. Back up into a grin, with a makeup stained tear running down his face.
2- New York City, late 70’s, outside of Kenny’s Music Shop. Arthur’s is now in full clown makeup and costume, dancing and spinning a “Everything Must Go!!” Sign. A live…
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