An in depth and advanced look at the ‘words beneath the words’ in real life & the movies.
The difference between ‘US’ and ‘THEM’.
Or; identifying useless enemies for the lower classes to hate.
As a scriptwriter, you are eventually going to need to ‘jazz up’ your crappy scripts to add interest where there just isn’t any. This can be easily achieved by the use of distraction, plus a decent sprinkling of manipulation of a generalized or specific character obsessed with hatred and blame, possibly focused on Gov’t or
corporate entities.
More specifically, document and broadcast language usage differs in reference from individuals to corporations and other large faceless entities, which ultimately minimizes any easily seen evil, probably due to the fact that large corporations are indeed, very, VERY evil. But, it remains that giant bugs & hideously deformed demonic-nazi terrorist- zombie-space monsters are still far, far more exciting, easy to hate, and action filled, not that different from a gas station twinkie. Just with more ‘oomph’.
Assignment:
Locate news examples from television or newspaper, including any corporate or government documentation, i.e., bills, receipts, etc.
Notice & reflect upon the difference in language usage aspects in relation of ‘US to THEM’, i.e. – the common man (‘US’; typically referred to as a ‘consumer’) to the corporation or government entity, or, even the wealthy (‘THEM’). Language is altered from one phrase to another to extract and imply vague innocence of the corporation, government. or obviously amoral individual, but specifically identified and clarified when discussing the ‘consumer’ individual, typically of middle to lower class society.
Here are some established language use ‘relocation’ examples for reference to better comprehend the equation:
US: Theft, stealing, robbery, crooked, cheating, piracy.
THEM: ‘Price increase’, ‘Fluctuation’, ‘Market peak’, ‘Market Demand’, ‘Overcharge’, ‘Surcharge’, ‘Spike’, ‘Refund exemption’, ‘One-time-fee’, ‘Connection fee’, ‘Mandatory fee’, ‘Price Fixing’, ‘Duplication Fee’, ‘Printing Fee’, ‘Fee Calculation Fee’, etc.
US: Lying, Deceit, Dishonest.
THEM: ‘Misspoke’, ‘Mistake’, ‘Non-factual’, ‘Typo’, ‘Retraction’, Error’, ‘Misrepresented’, ‘False advertising’, ‘Stretched truth’, ‘Forgetfulness’, ‘Parkinson’s', ‘Non-admittance of guilt’, etc.
In your search for inherent evil, be ever aware, apprised and vigilant that corporations have rights and you (as a mere consumer dirtbag, depending on your financial status) don’t, further exemplifying differences, and adding potential plot interest (should you choose to thinly disguise your characters and plots using monsters and zombies, because well, obviously, truth telling would never get past the corporate owned censors).
Remember: A plot concerning killing evil space monsters is about a freedom fighting hero. Inversely, a plot about mass killing corporate CEO’s is about homicidal mania, and will most likely prevent future employment.
You have now completed “Scriptwriting for Hollywood” section #2. Congratulations.
