Ask Spling – Episode 2: What’s your biggest frustration with the way films are made today?

In Episode 2 of ‘Ask Spling: Reel Talk and Real Life’… Spling answers: “What’s your biggest frustration with the way films are made today?”

The Spling Verdict

Script development is the bedrock of cinematic success; rushing the process is a disservice to the craft and the audience. A refined screenplay ensures a seamless “dream space” that prevents the viewer from disengaging to analyse technical flaws from the outside in.

Key Insights

The Decade of Development: Script development is an arduous, decade-long journey requiring patience in pre-production to transform a germ of an idea into a screenplay capable of transporting audiences.

Narrative Connectivity: Localized narratives require “super connective” and timely themes to resonate deeply with audiences, preventing them from being ejected from the film’s “dream space.”

The Fragility of Immersion: Cinematic immersion is fragile; poor dialogue or disjointed character arcs force viewers into external analysis – a hallmark of inferior filmmaking that often results from rushing into principal photography without a refined script.

Auteur Discipline: A dedicated auteur can master the technical “action” of scriptwriting alone, provided they commit the necessary time to refine character motivation and thematic relevance before seeking budget funding or production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a decade-long development period truly necessary for a successful film?

Yes, because the most enduring films are forged in the fires of long-term script development and meticulous pre-production. While the commercial urge to rush into principal photography is strong, shortcuts in the writing phase often lead to expensive fixes during editing or, worse, a film that fails to connect with its audience. In the South African industry, where budgets are often lean, a rock-solid script is your most valuable asset. It takes time to iterate on character dialogue and ensure the story is “timely” and relevant to the current cultural climate. This decade of work isn’t just about the words on the page; it’s about the holistic process of securing budget funding and aligning your creative vision. Rushing this process risks losing the “magic” that keeps audiences invested in the screen.

Can “distractions” within a film really derail an otherwise good story?

Yes, because the moment an audience member shifts from experiencing the story to “analysing the film from the outside in,” the cinematic illusion is shattered. These distractions – whether they be plot holes, inconsistent character behaviour or clunky dialogue – act as narrative friction that ejects the viewer from the “dream space” the filmmaker worked so hard to create. As a critic, I’ve seen how even high-budget productions can fail if they haven’t polished the script to remove these technical hurdles. A truly great film transports you so completely that you don’t notice the mechanics of the filmmaking until the credits roll. Protecting that immersive, transportive experience is the primary duty of the director and the screenwriter during the development phase to ensure the audience remains emotionally connected throughout.

Is it possible for a single screenwriter to create a high-calibre, “connective” script without a massive team?

Yes, provided that the individual is willing to put in the immense time and effort that the medium demands. Scriptwriting is a multidisciplinary act – balancing dialogue, action and character arcs – and while large Hollywood “writers’ rooms” are common, some of the most transporting cinema comes from a single, clear vision. The key is avoiding the trap of writing a first draft and immediately seeking production. One person can indeed create characters that are deeply connective and relevant, but they must be their own harshest critic during the revision process. In South Africa, we have a rich tradition of independent voices who have proved that a focused, individual effort in script development can result in a story that resonates internationally, provided they do not rush and allow the story to mature.