REVIEW: FROM SCRATCH

FROM SCRATCH - Now streaming on #Netflix. A lesson on show don't tell in screenwriting. #SpoilerAlert

What to say? Bravo doesn't feel like enough. I'll admit I didn't enjoy the first episode. It was on-the-nose, very prescribed, and the relationship moved so quickly that I didn't invest in their relationship, stopped halfway through and had to force myself to finish it, then had to talk myself into continuing with this series. But oh, am I glad I did. It's an amazing worldwind of emotions. Zoe is superb. The familial storylines play as much of a role as the love story, which brings us to the lesson.

A few examples of show don't tell using Lino and Giacomo's relationship:

Lino and his father have a strained relationship. Lino chose not to work for the family business and drop out of school to become a chef. This and the fact that Lino married a black, non-Catholic American brought shame to his father, so he refused the family to attend the wedding. When Lino becomes ill, Giacomo comes to visit. Instead of apologizing and telling his son he loves him, he first:
- Fixes his garden. 
- Watches him sleep. 
- Feeds him ice chips.
- Offers to get him coffee.
- Becomes jealous of Lino's relationship with his father-n-law

All of the above moments keep the tension present between these two, earning the moment when they finally face off and decide to forgive each other. This is how we reach one of the many moments of catharsis in the film. 

What was your favorite show don't tell moment?

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author

Shannan E. Johnson is a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO + Head Consultant of The Professional Pen, a script consultancy that develops screenwriters from idea to pitch to become more confident storytellers ready for a professional screenwriting career, and consults with scripted development teams at entertainment companies to streamline their notes process to get to pre-production more efficiently.