I Am Norah Fields!

Review by ISA
Title:
I AM NORAH FIELDS!
Genre:
Drama
Written by:
David China Woolf
I AM NORAH FIELDS!
is a thought-provoking script with wonderful, well-rounded characters and
high stakes all the way to the end. The writer does an amazing job of crafting the characters,
diving into who they are and making each character's actions match their personality and point
of view on life. The characters are complex, and while reading the script I was impressed by how
the writer slowly introduces them, never giving the reader too many new characters to handle
at once. It's also easy to relate to most of the characters, and in particular I love Norah and feel
bad for what she's going through with her dad. By the end of this script, I felt like these
characters were real people, com plex and not completely likable, but I could envision myself
spending time with them or encountering them out and about in the real world.
In addition to the strong characters, the writer does a pretty good job with the plotting in this
script. The struct ure feels professional, and the story hits most of the right beats, with an
engaging opening hook that sets the tone for the film, a clear inciting incident, and high stakes. I
like how the writer shows Nora struggling with the fact that her dad has been accused of sexual
harassment. The way she deals with the whole situation feels believable. The writer does a
great job of pacing the plot points, giving the characters time to breathe and process the events
as they unfold. All of the major plot points are written in an engaging way too.
This is an imaginative script that deals with real world problems. The writer does a great job of
not holding back, letting Norah deal with situations that are super difficult and that have big
implications for her and her family. Even though it's really sad that she has to deal with the fact
that her father has committed sexual harassment, it's a great subject, because I'm sure she's not
the only one. This script opens your eyes to the fact that you never know what anyone's capable
of. It's truly a thought provoking, original piece that stands out because of the way that it
conveys this theme. By the end of the film, I felt like I had just read a unique and memorable
story.
Though the big picture stuff largely works, some of
the finer details could use improvement. In
particular, there is a lot of room to improve on the action/description. As I was reading the
script, I noticed that the action/description sometimes tells rather than shows. This often takes
the form of a line that just says that something happens, without describing how it happens on
screen. For example, on page 1, the script says: “Traffic stalls for a while, but the officers restore
order and things calm down.” On page 4, the script says: “Michael finishes ed iting the clip and
sends it to Norah who forwards it to her father and to her bestie Tia, right away.” Since a
screenplay is a blueprint for a movie, it's important to be specific about how action like this is
shown on screen. How long does traffic stall f or? What do the officers do to restore order? How
long does it take for things to calm down? How do we, the viewers of the film, know that
Michael has finished editing the clip? How does Nora receive the clip? How do we know she's
sending it to her father? Does she text him? Do we see his name on screen?
Similarly, there are places where dialogue is included in the action/description. It's important to
Similarly, there are places where dialogue is included in the action/description. It's important to always format dialogue as dialogue, otherwise actors may miss their lines when they are going always format dialogue as dialogue, otherwise actors may miss their lines when they are going through thethrough the script. For example, on page 74, the script says: “As he steps out of the building, the script. For example, on page 74, the script says: “As he steps out of the building, the reporters approach him, asking for a response.” This should instead be written something like: reporters approach him, asking for a response.” This should instead be written something like: “As he steps out of the building, the reporters approach him” and then i“As he steps out of the building, the reporters approach him” and then it should be followed by t should be followed by a line or lines of dialogue where the reporters ask for a response.a line or lines of dialogue where the reporters ask for a response.
The script generally has strong formatting, however, I was taken out of the story at times by
The script generally has strong formatting, however, I was taken out of the story at times by typos, grammar issues, and awkward sentence construction. Especially typos, grammar issues, and awkward sentence construction. Especially in the latter half of the in the latter half of the script, there are quite a few times when the wrong version of your/you're is used. Your is script, there are quite a few times when the wrong version of your/you're is used. Your is possessive, so it should be used when talking about about someone's possession, family possessive, so it should be used when talking about about someone's possession, family member, friend, etc. For example, one might say: youmember, friend, etc. For example, one might say: your house, your father. On the other hand, r house, your father. On the other hand, you're is a contraction, which means it should only be used in place of the words “you are.” For you're is a contraction, which means it should only be used in place of the words “you are.” For example, instead of saying: “You are my best friend” one might say: “You're my best friend.” example, instead of saying: “You are my best friend” one might say: “You're my best friend.” However, it's improper toHowever, it's improper to say: “You're best friend is over there” since in that case someone's say: “You're best friend is over there” since in that case someone's best friend is being discussed. The correct version of that sentence is: “Your best friend is over best friend is being discussed. The correct version of that sentence is: “Your best friend is over there.”there.”
I was also confused by the line on page 52, where the script says that Norah a
I was also confused by the line on page 52, where the script says that Norah and Sammy “leave nd Sammy “leave the place hugged.” I've never heard that expression before, so it took me out of the script. Does the place hugged.” I've never heard that expression before, so it took me out of the script. Does it mean that they have their arms around each other? Or do they hug and then leave the place? it mean that they have their arms around each other? Or do they hug and then leave the place? It might be worth rephrasing this sentence, sincIt might be worth rephrasing this sentence, since I'm not sure that it's an expression, or if it is e I'm not sure that it's an expression, or if it is it's not a very common one.it's not a very common one.
It also struck me as strange that Norah and her father say “ahh” so much. When I read their
It also struck me as strange that Norah and her father say “ahh” so much. When I read their lines of dialogue with “ahh” the first couple times, I thought it gave them a uniqulines of dialogue with “ahh” the first couple times, I thought it gave them a unique way of e way of speaking and made them stand out. However, the script features this quirk so often that it speaking and made them stand out. However, the script features this quirk so often that it became distracting as I was reading the script. The script would be an easier read if Norah and became distracting as I was reading the script. The script would be an easier read if Norah and her father were to say “ahh” less frequently. Maybe it's jusher father were to say “ahh” less frequently. Maybe it's just used for emphasis, like when her t used for emphasis, like when her father is really stressed out.father is really stressed out.
Around page 71, I found myself wondering what exactly Norah's father is guilty of and how he
Around page 71, I found myself wondering what exactly Norah's father is guilty of and how he has been sexually inappropriate. There are so few details about it, at the start of the script ihas been sexually inappropriate. There are so few details about it, at the start of the script it's t's revealed that he did something to the librarian, but it's not clear what. Eventually, around page revealed that he did something to the librarian, but it's not clear what. Eventually, around page 80, Norah's father reveals that he touched a a bum or two, however, the stakes for the second 80, Norah's father reveals that he touched a a bum or two, however, the stakes for the second half of the script could be ratcheted up even more if this shalf of the script could be ratcheted up even more if this scene were to occur sooner. If the cene were to occur sooner. If the scene had occurred just 10scene had occurred just 10--15 pages sooner, it would have helped to keep me more invested, 15 pages sooner, it would have helped to keep me more invested, since after hearing her father admit that he was guilty, I really wanted to know more about how since after hearing her father admit that he was guilty, I really wanted to know more about how he was guilty and what was going tohe was guilty and what was going to happen with Norah.happen with Norah.
Though the dialogue is written in an engaging way, it could use some revisions. At times when I
Though the dialogue is written in an engaging way, it could use some revisions. At times when I was reading the dialogue, it was hard for me to believe that the characters were real people. was reading the dialogue, it was hard for me to believe that the characters were real people. Many of the characters speak in a way that maMany of the characters speak in a way that makes them feel younger than they are. The kes them feel younger than they are. The dialogue would be stronger if at least some of the characters were to speak in a more dialogue would be stronger if at least some of the characters were to speak in a more
intelligent, thoughtful way. One way to improve dialogue is to stop and listen at various times of
intelligent, thoughtful way. One way to improve dialogue is to stop and listen at various times of day, to the people speaking arday, to the people speaking around you. What do they sound like when they speak? How do ound you. What do they sound like when they speak? How do they choose their words? Some might be quiet, others frantic, some might be direct, others they choose their words? Some might be quiet, others frantic, some might be direct, others might stumble over their words like Ethan. It's especially hard for me to believe that someone of might stumble over their words like Ethan. It's especially hard for me to believe that someone of Ethan's aEthan's age gets frazzled every time someone tries to question him, to the point where he often ge gets frazzled every time someone tries to question him, to the point where he often doesn't make any sense.doesn't make any sense.