'The Farewell' Screenplay Breakdown: Lulu Wang Compares First To Final Drafts

'The Farewell' Screenplay Breakdown: Lulu Wang Compares First To Final Drafts | Vanity Fair

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4 жыл бұрын

Director and screenwriter Lulu Wang takes us through the process of creating the script for her film “The Farewell.” Through tedious translation, copy editing and formatting, she explains the necessary textual steps for distributing a foreign film to an English speaking audience.
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'The Farewell' Screenplay Breakdown: Lulu Wang Compares First To Final Drafts | Vanity Fair

Пікірлер: 160

@obamna666 4 жыл бұрын

And she didn’t even get nominated for best director!

@travisspazz1624 4 жыл бұрын

Jennifer Kent should've been nominated for director.

@chrizchanang 4 жыл бұрын

@Diego Pisfil If you saw 1917 and how technically challenging it was to coordinate all of the blocking for the long takes and sequences, then you'd know it makes sense for him to get the nomination. The issue isn't necessarily WHO gets nominated, but rather the amount of directors nominated. There are 9 films nominated for Best Picture, and only five of those films' directors were nominated (all of them male, with Bong Joon-Ho being the only person of color, which is another mixed bag in and of itself). The Academy needs to equalize the amount of nominations for the director category, if they're going to recognize that many films for Best Picture. Yet, at the end of the day, like what Joaquin Phoenix said in the Golden Globes, there is no "best" anything. These award shows are only meant to sell and promote those films to get people watching.

@chrizchanang 4 жыл бұрын

@Diego Pisfil I mean, to each their own, but the opinions that did select it, did choose it because they saw some sort of merit of recognition to the film, whether if you or I agree with it or not. Like I said, there's no real value in being nominated, it's just to sell the product, or at the very least, generate interest in seeing the films nominated. Even if the Farewell wasn't nominated for the Oscars, it did get exposure at the Golden Globes which also functions a similar way in creating buzz for these pictures

@adamtak3128 4 жыл бұрын

@Diego Pisfil Cynthia Erivo had a good performance.. No clue why you're knocking her.

@daftbanna7202 3 жыл бұрын

@@chrizchanang 1917 was a snooze fest

@dollyhoneypie 4 жыл бұрын

I admire Lulu Wang so much omg thank you for this video but I think you should put her name in the title and the movie name

@carkod 3 жыл бұрын

Wow they read your comment and did it!

@marii5713 2 жыл бұрын

they done it!!

@ivanissac858 2 жыл бұрын

InstaBlaster.

@ScoobyandShaggy5554 4 жыл бұрын

We need more of these for aspiring writers, thanks for this.

@saranghaedosh 4 жыл бұрын

That’s it, I’m turning on my notifications for Vanity Fair. Notes on a screenplay is EXACTLY what writers need. Who is coming up with these fantastic ideas for KZfaq content?!

@owensanfordstuff 3 жыл бұрын

Film Courage is also an excellent channel for screenwriters

@malum-inse 4 жыл бұрын

It shows your maturity and professionalism of a director to trust your audience to know that even 傻孩子 translates to English as "stupid child", the context of the situation plus 奶奶's performance shows that the nuance is playful and the subtext loving. LuLu made the right choice to keep the literal translation. I'd rather watch a director that trusts the intelligence of their audience and not pander to the lowest common denominator.

@user-lb4bz8tu2k 4 жыл бұрын

translate.google.ca/#view=home&op=translate&sl=auto&tl=en&text=%E5%82%BB%E5%AD%A9%E5%AD%90 It kinda doesn't sit right with me because if she wanted 'stupid', ’笨‘ would have been a better choice. '笨孩子’ would have translated well to 'stupid child', it has the same level of harshness in both languages. Generally in Chinese, '傻‘ as an adjective is most of the time spoken with endearment and not meant seriously, it is when you directly use '傻’ as a noun to refer to a person that it becomes offensive. Even more so that when you say a silly person in English, it usually implies that the person is not mentally challenged, unlike 'stupid' which is demeaning. Similarly, when you say someone 傻 in Chinese, again as long as you are using it as an adjective, it means this person is usually smart, just not right now; whereas '笨‘ makes a judgement on their intellect. Since it was a scene that they are playing around, 'stupid child' just doesn't have the same goofiness '傻孩子’ has compared to 'silly child'.

@wannabeth2815 4 жыл бұрын

I always felt so ashamed that I only understand chinese, but never was fluent in it nor read or write it. When Lulu Wang said that she speaks chinese, but doesn't read or write it, I felt my whole heart lifted. I think I just gained a lot of hope. Thank you.

@nothingbettertodo7398 4 жыл бұрын

when she was talking about the use of the word stupid and having to relearn the meaning of the word when your grandmother says it really hit me bc I had to do the same thing, in Jamaica the word worthless has a similar meaning when elders say it, but as an American child I didn't understand that.

@null6955 4 жыл бұрын

even tho we aren't chinese, nai nai acts exactly like my south asian grandma. the scene of her explaining to billi what she should say just gave me flashbacks.

@sharwandsouza1747 4 жыл бұрын

SAME!! I miss her

@karinarivera2089 3 жыл бұрын

I'm Mexican, and she acts just like our elders too!

@samuentaga 4 жыл бұрын

I'm an amateur screenwriter and am trying to write a bilingual script myself. The brackets are a great idea that I haven't thought of. I know some writers use parentheticals to indicate the change in language, but that seems a bit tedious to do, especially when there is a constant change between two or more languages.

@TwistVisuals 4 жыл бұрын

I've seen some Indian scripts where they write the script in English but the dialogues are written in phonetics. Either that or just writing the dialogues in that language while the action is in English.

@JunebugPresents 4 жыл бұрын

Check out how it was done for Toy Story 3 when Buzz turned into his Spanish version.

@sharwandsouza1747 4 жыл бұрын

@@TwistVisuals this is what I do, I sometimes use five different languages so using different text styles or brackets and all would be confusing

@drema1051 3 жыл бұрын

Don’t give up!

@menevetsny 4 жыл бұрын

Wang also played the piano accompanying soloist in one of the pieces in the score in addition to dealing with multiple languages. Many hats. Many hats. 加油!

@jenniferariesta6635 4 жыл бұрын

It's kinda sad that Lulu has to explain her decision to keep the word "stupid child", in Chinese culture it's considered one of the most common terms of endearment.

@Breerox108 4 жыл бұрын

why is it sad? other cultures are not aware that's why it's great she can explain it!

@saarah5816 3 жыл бұрын

sad?

@eatonkuntz 3 жыл бұрын

I can think of many insults Americans use as compliments. It shouldn't be a surprise

@krezcelyborja9334 4 жыл бұрын

I love the movie.. I haven't talk to my grandma in a long time. Called my grandma right after n realized she discovered facetime.. We facetime almost everyday now.. Thank you

@brilliantbookworm8407 4 жыл бұрын

Omg that’s so cute!

@CJayin 4 жыл бұрын

It’s always so impressive to hear how a director talks about a scene. To us it’s just a scene, to them it’s a mini story within a story. Goes to show just how much time and effort goes into making an incredible movie like The Farewell.

@amiciprocul8501 4 жыл бұрын

It's so awsome that she fought the studio's want for a more Western friendly perspective (i.e having the boyfriend of Billi be an American).

@muhammadrajabal-mukarrom4013 4 жыл бұрын

Whoa. She is so smart! That’s the reason why The Farewell was so good.

@sam112293 4 жыл бұрын

VF your film content so informative. Keep going I live for these masterclasses.

@abrahamcb 4 жыл бұрын

Best post-oscars film I’ve seen this year. Highly recommended.

@ams914 4 жыл бұрын

I wish they went more into change in structure/story versus dialogue.

@xiesalicaceae2482 4 жыл бұрын

VF, thanks so much for this! So great that Lulu had her Mom helping her out with this. Such a great family film and such great background info on the script. This was awesome.

@MovieHypeSA 4 жыл бұрын

You just sold a couple of tickets. Definitely a film I'll be checking out

@drema1051 3 жыл бұрын

It’s a great movie, my favourite. Hope you liked it

@shannenvinent4988 4 жыл бұрын

I love these screenplay breakdowns. Give us more!!!!

@jameszhuang9402 4 жыл бұрын

I never thought I would see vanity fair explains "一脸懵逼“

@aandwdabest 4 жыл бұрын

James haha

@mimi-sk2ip 4 жыл бұрын

This movie has to be a future Oscar nominated movie

@Gustyrd1 4 жыл бұрын

it wasn't :( Awkwafina and Lulu were robbed :(

@LiTtoSpArKl3s 4 жыл бұрын

Love these script videos! More please. The Farewell is a great movie btw!

@ScriptSleuth 4 жыл бұрын

This is excellent. Please do more of these videos on writing. We love them!

@chaostears 4 жыл бұрын

this is exactly how i imagined i would write a script like this also being american born chinese and not knowing how to read or write chinese but understanding the spoken language!

@Margotxmargot 4 жыл бұрын

This is so cool. Lulu Wang is excellent

@DanielaEditsThings 4 жыл бұрын

I love these types of videos. This was amazing. Thank you.

@TotallyMH729TsMH 4 жыл бұрын

Clicked on this out of curiosity towards screenwriting breakdowns, and I'm glad I did - will check out the movie soon!

@robschneider8310 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Vanity Fair for yet another great screenwriting-focused video! We need more of these!

@BehindTheFrames 4 жыл бұрын

I saw this film in April and I adored it! Highly highly recommend!! Nai nai has my whole heart ❤

@sarahhart6814 4 жыл бұрын

It’s unbelievable that Lulu is 36. She looks amazing

@Torihappyness 4 жыл бұрын

36 isn't old...I should know☺️

@thereccher8746 3 жыл бұрын

Asian don't raisin.

@lishkoburger12 4 жыл бұрын

MORE OF THESE PLEASE!!!

@unchartedrocks1 4 жыл бұрын

More breakdown vids like this, please.

@chloebalisacan7548 4 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite movies of the summer! super cool vid!

@NateandNoahTryLife 4 жыл бұрын

The Farewell was such an amazing movie. Seriously if you can find it go watch it.

@Omomoification 4 жыл бұрын

Cried at the movie, cried at this bts with the director/writer. Too many painful parallels. So good.

@danversharpe 4 жыл бұрын

the beauty of chinese is that it can be very easily utilised to express emotion, and english words hardly achieve that same impact, in both writing and speaking. Im glad to see that she tried her best to accurately capture the vision in her head and put it into the script even with the language challenges.

@emmadebruyn295 4 жыл бұрын

This is so interesting and amazing! Haven’t seen the movie but I’ve heard amazing things about it. I wanna become a Screenwriter some day, so this was really cool.

@crono1357 4 жыл бұрын

you're incredible. thank you for making this film

@KK42299 4 жыл бұрын

Love the script videos. 👍 please do more

@cdcicaro 4 жыл бұрын

cant wait to see this! i dont think its coming to brasil so i cant way to have it in dvd

@MauriceBiron1 5 ай бұрын

What a beautiful movie! Thank you, Mrs Wang.

@adolfopena7358 4 жыл бұрын

I hope for a video about screenplay writing in general.

@pandashaveguns7770 4 жыл бұрын

I haven’t watched this movie, but it was rated very good

@YongeneW 4 жыл бұрын

it is HIGHLY recommended. one of my favourite movies of the year for sure by far

@Jasmine-gk4re 4 жыл бұрын

It is SO GOOD-beautifully made, hilarious and affecting! I loved it 😄

@realmediummike 4 жыл бұрын

Do more of these with the screenplays

@A.l.e.x.e.a 4 жыл бұрын

My god there are enough complex elements to screenwriting in one language!!

@tiffy_loves 4 жыл бұрын

I’m about to go watch this now

@MrRKWRIGHT Жыл бұрын

The ending of the scene in the wedding photographer's studio was, for me, one of the most poignant and emotionally arresting moments I can recall seeing in a film recently - specifically Billi's facial reaction when Na Nai tells her "When you get married, I'll throw you an even bigger wedding." Super acting on the part of Awkwafina.

@snkethan 4 жыл бұрын

just watched 12 hrs ago, loved it.

@shotmeindaface 4 жыл бұрын

Great movie. I hope she'll make more in the future.

@WilkineBrutus 4 жыл бұрын

Such a great movie. Well done.

@borne1 3 жыл бұрын

I was surprised at how good this movie was.

@justina3901 4 жыл бұрын

Why is the title of the film not in the title? I mean, it was a pleasant surprise after I started watching, but I would have clicked a LOT faster if I knew that it was related to The Farewell... It's not consistent with how other films are treated on this channel, I'm just saying.

@ryannixon4138 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this! Sometimes I wonder if Im changing too much kr not enough. This helped show what others consider enough, thank you.

@maximilianobarrionuevo9746 4 жыл бұрын

LOVE THIS

@_gen10_ 4 жыл бұрын

lulu wang is brilliant and the only director/screenwriter ever

@gabbyg2642 4 жыл бұрын

I love the writing videos the Best

@welintonvallejo5005 4 жыл бұрын

Great!!

@ZoraTheberge 4 жыл бұрын

This film is excellent. God I hope it does well at the Oscars

@tiffy_loves 4 жыл бұрын

YES MORE SCREENOLAYS

@lung325 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting.

@beyondcleon 3 жыл бұрын

Really wanted to enjoy this movie but.....yea. Good to see this process.

@joejellyfish 4 жыл бұрын

Now I want to watch The Farewell so bad!

@tinymustache6156 4 жыл бұрын

i wish i had glasses that looked as good on me as hers do

@tiyonna6701 4 жыл бұрын

Okay I’m a beginner writer can anybody answer my question what does an outline or scriptment look like? Also please post more videos of screenwriters 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

@jarrenlumpkin5178 4 жыл бұрын

Nice:-)

@benhenderson8952 4 жыл бұрын

*Pretty*

@darkundereyes 4 жыл бұрын

The title is so bad. I thought she was a professional scriptwriter but she is the director of The Farewell. No mentioned of the movie either.

@liamsmyth3388 3 жыл бұрын

that first draft looks scary similar to the final draft

@emilysorano7768 4 жыл бұрын

this is so fuckin cool

@thereccher8746 3 жыл бұрын

Nai Nai sounds a lot like Nonna, Italian for grandmother.

@matthewyifeng 4 жыл бұрын

Just as soo many miraculous coincidences had to come together for Crazy Rich Asians to happen...I find it hard to believe that the original name of 'Nora' (before casting Awkwafina) was by pure chance!

@SR-kz9un 4 жыл бұрын

You dont usually see the writers get any attention, I like this a lot. The movie was beautiful

@vmoonlight4962 4 жыл бұрын

she is awesome, one of the best rising director

@ablearcherjames2375 4 жыл бұрын

hahaha that 一脸懵逼 is so hilarious

@sk8r_ 4 жыл бұрын

Oscars are blind 👀

@isabella3746 4 жыл бұрын

There is an opening bracket in the dialogue at 4:31 but not a closing bracket. Now I can't sleep because OCD.

@Figgy5119 4 жыл бұрын

This format doesn't really compare or teach anything. It would probably be better to pick something to compare the drafts that actually had an impact on the way the story was told to see the actual differences between the drafts.

@MrDjdecks 4 жыл бұрын

I haven't heard of this movie.

@jarelllevingston7882 4 жыл бұрын

She’s like 37 here but could pass for 20.

@seanjohn2312 4 жыл бұрын

Nanay means mom in tagalog.

@jimmysgameclips 4 жыл бұрын

*Sees script layout* Okay so I think I have to make some changes to my own stuff... :/

@lennypayne4241 Жыл бұрын

Thank God this culturally accurate Chinese movie full of much-needed representation and this lovely little behind-the-scenes documentary about writing the script aired before COVID hit in March of 2020. The Chinese needed a movie lole this and added video as a bonus before they sadly started being racially stereotyped as sicklings who carry the corona virus.

@jakobie 4 жыл бұрын

I'm confused. 傻孩子 can also translate as 'silly kid'. Case in point, 别傻了 can literally mean 'Don't be silly'. Hence, should 傻孩子 be referred to as 'silly kid' in the English script, the context of endearment can still retain in both languages.

@ashleymelo1924 4 жыл бұрын

LU LU got snubbed. No nominations for best screenplay or director ??? Are you KIDDING???

@crmags 4 ай бұрын

傻(sa) ...Is more "foolish" or "silly". I would use 笨 (bin) if I was going to call some "dumb" or "stupid".

@grecherryy 4 жыл бұрын

¿Vanity Fair is incredible? Like: yeah. Coment: Not.

@Antenox 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah 😏

@welikelethabo 3 жыл бұрын

Are Chinese and Mandarin the same language?

@carinaaugust643 2 жыл бұрын

Yes and no. There is no single “Chinese” language (like English). Rather, Chinese constitutes a family of various, distinct languages such as Mandarin, Yue, Wu, Min etc. Out of all of them, Mandarin is the most widely used.

@user-lb4bz8tu2k 4 жыл бұрын

Nah I disagree with the 'silly' vs 'stupid' in English...I didn't notice the translations before, and between these two, I would choose 'silly'. It is indeed important that she tries to show her feeling that she sometimes be taken aback and reexamine the context when people refer to her as '傻sha’, but to Chinese speakers there wouldn't be any misunderstanding. The problem is, will the audience member catch such complicated feeling? When audiences see a word that's slightly out of the tone of the conversation, what is stopping them assuming its just a translation error. It is hard enough to watch a film with subtitles, why burden them with doubts about the translation? Why not just let the audience enjoy a sweet moment between Billie and her grandmother? "silly child" would be a much much better choice if you have a good enough understanding of both languages.

@oof7882 4 жыл бұрын

i understand her pain, she can understand chinese but not read it and i can read korean but only understand like 2% of the language lmao

@Ruylopez778 4 жыл бұрын

All we learned about the final draft was that it combined several scenes into one, without really elaborating why. Most of this video was talking about translation - that's interesting in the context of the movie and the process, but it doesn't have much relevance to most screenplays.