"The Body" - an example of how to write a crying scene.
The Bitter Script Reader takes a look back at one of the most cited and acclaimed episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as a good example of how to craft a scene that may involve some waterworks.
Part II of his examination of the episode can be found here: http://thebitterscriptreader.blogspot.com/2010/08/buffy-vampire-slayers-body-how-to-write_25.html
[ edited by J Linc on 2010-08-25 11:42 ]
August 23 2010
This thread has been closed for new comments.
You need to log in to be able to post comments.
About membership.
As an actor, they say that the best way to perform a crying scene or a screaming/yelling scene is to not cry or scream and yell until you can't possibly not cry or scream and yell anymore. In real life, the thought goes, people tend not to really embrace crying. Instead, they're always trying to suppress that emotion, so it makes performing it that way more real and interesting. I love -- LOVE -- the idea that this suggestion applies to writing as well.
XanMan | August 24, 00:17 CET
Always wondered how someones viewing of The Body would go if they had no prior history or context of the show to draw upon.
Kaan | August 24, 00:20 CET
baxter | August 24, 00:28 CET
dance4days | August 24, 01:02 CET
rehabber | August 24, 03:57 CET
palehorse | August 24, 04:22 CET
"Then, despite a truly evil tease showing a fantasy where Joyce Summers is miraculously revived (Screw you, Joss), the paramedics can't do anything for her. "I'm sorry," the paramedic says, "But I have to tell you that your mother's dead." (Yes, I know this is completely not the way it would go in real life. Paramedics don't stop until an MD takes over for them.)"
First of all, an MD isn't there at the scene where the body is... so, that notion kind of falls by the wayside here. Secondly, even if that is the typical protocol, couldn't the paramedics just in this situation be making a professional mistake or no-no in telling her that her mom's indeed passed away? Protocol or rules aren't always followed in real life so why should fiction always do it?
... Just sayin'.
J Linc | August 24, 04:43 CET
demon magnet | August 24, 05:52 CET
Yes, in many jurisdictions paramedics CAN discontinue CPR on their own initiative. In technical terms, if the patient meets one of a predefined set of criteria, there's essentially no hope. In the episode, IIRC one paramedic says to the other, "She's cold, man"--implying that Joyce has by that time assumed room temperature. I, personally, have never seen any CPR discontinuation criteria based on temperature, but others like dependent lividity, rigor mortis, or initial presenting cardiac rhythm being asystole might apply.
The more unrealistic thing about the scene is that the paramedics are called away and leave an unattended death outside of the immediate control of EMS or law enforcement. Every place I've been, if EMS is called to an unwitnessed, unexpected death, the scene is to be secured by EMS until law enforcement or the coroner's office arrives. EMS aren't trained to ascertain whether a death was a murder or not, nor are they trained to collect evidence.
However, I fully understand the narrative reason the paramedics are "called away" and leave Buffy alone with Joyce's body. It's a forgivable gloss, just like the fact that we don't see Joyce's body intubated or with chest bared for a 12-lead ECG.
jclemens | August 24, 10:18 CET
Simon | August 24, 10:40 CET
Tin Ear Tom | August 24, 13:26 CET
ern | August 24, 13:37 CET
[ edited by shambleau on 2010-08-25 02:18 ]
shambleau | August 24, 17:17 CET
I will agree that this is (one of) the episode(s) I would show anyone questioning SMG's acting. A.Maz.Ing. Just powerful, powerful stuff. Everyone else is excellent as well, but her acting is occasionally called into question, and I just don't get it.
guidedby | August 24, 20:44 CET
benisglory | August 24, 21:32 CET
digupherbones | August 25, 01:46 CET
J Linc | August 25, 02:33 CET