Blueprints Quote by Paul Auster
“Actually, screenplays were much more detailed than what I did in the book In the book I had to invent a style for communicating what the sensation of looking at a film would be, whereas the screenplays I wrote in Paris were actual blueprints for how to do the film, with every gesture, every little movement noted in exhaustive detail.”
About This Quote
The author contrasts detailed screenplays with the prose of a book, emphasizing that screenplays serve as precise visual blueprints, while prose must evoke cinematic sensation through descriptive style.
In simple terms: Screenplays are exact film plans; books must suggest film feeling.
Key Takeaway
Use precise detail when directing visual work.
Themes
writing
film
detail
visual storytelling
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
instructional
reflective
When to use this quote
- directing a film
- writing a novel
- creating storyboards
Key Concepts
screenplay structure
cinematic description
Questions to Reflect On
- How does medium dictate level of detail?
- When should you prioritize visual precision over narrative imagination?
A Different Perspective
Prose cannot match the exactness of a screenplay for visual execution.
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