«Strong Curtains» and «Dramatic Punches»: The Legacy of Playwriting in the Screenwriting Manuals of the Studio Era

The Hollywood Golden Age was a revolutionary moment in the history of cinema and is pivotal to understanding historical passage peculiar new art form –screenwriting. This early film period, from Tens Sixties, determined by key interactions between respective forms stage. Together, these wider screenwriting “discourse.” There are reoccurring disputes scholarship over paternity conventions techniques screenwriting. One solution that theatre playwriting persisted extensively production practices classical cinema. Whether or not its professionals were aware this at heart dispute. It possible identify contribution manuals Hollywood’s toward standardization techniques. article aims examine period some statements practitioners who document normalization codification narrative structures used time –in particular, three-act structure. validity origin structure constantly debated among screenwriters. While formula known writers Silent Era due legacy throughout centuries literature, it reappeared Seventies guise theory. attempts fill certain gaps theorization juxtaposing found scholars educators field. Ultimately, belonging tradition theatre, as well technological exigencies integral shaping use today.