014 - La La Land (Damien Chazelle)

In this episode of The Screenplay Lab, host and screenwriter Jeff Barker takes a closer look at the screenplay behind La La Land by Damien Chazelle. Known for its music and emotional impact, this film offers just as much inspiration on the page as it does on the screen.

Jeff examines how the screenplay employs musical storytelling without lyrics, subverts traditional romantic structures, and utilizes formatting and choreography to convey character and emotion. He also shares the backstory behind the script’s development, early rejections, and how Whiplash helped bring La La Land back to life.

Whether you are a screenwriter, filmmaker, or a fan of the film and its stars, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, this episode reveals what makes the script stand out and what writers can take into their own work.

Highlights include
• Writing visual musical sequences
• How the screenplay was originally developed and rejected
• Chazelle’s use of structure and seasonality
• Standout dialogue and formatting choices
• What the ending teaches about character and storytelling

🎙️ About The Screenplay Lab:
We study and appreciate screenplays as stand-alone literary works, not just blueprints for film. We deconstruct a script in each episode, uncovering what makes it unique and exploring what writers can learn.

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