Breaking bad
Executive Summary
Pass/Consider/Recommend/Highly Recommend
Overview
Genres: Drama, Crime, Thriller, Family, Slice of Life, Comedy
Setting: Contemporary, Various locations including a cow pasture, a high school, a car wash, a house, a kitchen, a meth lab, and a Winnebago
Overview: The screenplay garners a strong overall score of 8.15, reflecting its compelling character arcs, well-crafted dialogue, and exploration of complex themes. However, areas for improvement exist in pacing, originality, and fully maximizing the emotional impact.
Themes: Moral Conflict, Family Relationships, Power and Corruption, Identity, Consequences
Conflict and Stakes: The primary conflicts revolve around Walt's internal struggle with his actions, his battle with cancer, and the consequences of his choices on his family. The stakes include his life, his family's safety, and his moral integrity.
Overall Mood: Dark, intense, suspenseful
Mood/Tone at Key Scenes:
- Scene 1: The opening scene sets a dark and foreboding tone with a sense of desperation and danger.
Standout Features:
- Complex Characters: Walt's transformation from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug lord is a standout feature.
- Moral Ambiguity : The exploration of moral gray areas and the consequences of one's choices adds depth to the story.
- Intense Drama : The tension, suspense, and high-stakes situations create a gripping viewing experience.
Comparable Scripts:
Market Analysis
Budget Estimate:$50-70 million
Target Audience Demographics: Adults aged 18-54, fans of crime dramas, thrillers, and character-driven narratives
Marketability: The intense drama, complex characters, and moral dilemmas make it highly marketable to a wide audience
The unique blend of genres, strong character development, and gripping storyline make it appealing to viewers seeking depth and complexity
The high production value, critical acclaim, and strong fan base contribute to its marketability
Profit Potential: High, due to the show's cult following, critical acclaim, and potential for syndication and merchandise sales
Scene Level Percentiles
Emotions Elicited Percentiles
This is a rough estimate of how the average intensity of emotions elicited in this script compare to all scripts in the Vault (all genres).
Higher isn't necessarily better. This is FYI.
Screenplay Analysis
- Strong conceptualization with a high percentile ranking of 92.68%
- Emotional impact is well-executed, ranking at 71.13%
- Unpredictability is a standout feature, scoring an impressive 90.67%
- Formatting could benefit from attention, with a relatively lower percentile score of 37.95%
- Internal goal development could use further exploration, as indicated by its percentile score of 40.96%
The writer exhibits a strong conceptual foundation and a knack for creating unpredictable and emotionally impactful stories. Dialogue and character development could benefit from further refinement to complement the conceptual strengths.
Balancing Elements- Balancing predictability with the high unpredictability score could enhance the story's overall impact.
- Elevating the formatting score would complement the screenplay's strong conceptual basis.
Integrated
Overall AssessmentThe screenplay shows promise with its strong conceptualization, unpredictability, and emotional depth. Balancing elements and addressing areas for improvement can enhance its overall potential.
How scenes compare to the Scripts in our Library
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Percentile | Before | After |
---|---|---|---|---|
Script Emotional Impact | 8.70 | 98 | 12 years a slave: 8.60 | Breaking bad: 8.70 |
Scene Concept | 8.4 | 84 | The King's speech: 8.3 | fight Club: 8.4 |
Scene Unpredictability | 7.82 | 82 | Pirates of the Caribbean: 7.81 | Breaking bad: 7.82 |
Scene Engagement | 9.00 | 81 | The Addams Family: 8.99 | fight Club: 9.00 |
Scene Character Changes | 7.5 | 78 | American Fiction: 7.4 | fight Club: 7.5 |
Scene Originality | 8.86 | 75 | Her: 8.85 | Blade Runner: 8.86 |
Script Premise | 8.60 | 75 | The Fabelmans: 8.50 | a few good men: 8.60 |
Scene External Goal | 7.39 | 67 | Ex-Machina: 7.38 | Deadpool: 7.39 |
Script Theme | 8.40 | 66 | Memento: 8.30 | Titanic: 8.40 |
Scene Story Forward | 8.3 | 65 | The Brutalist: 8.2 | Titanic: 8.3 |
Scene Overall | 8.5 | 63 | The father: 8.4 | Casablanca: 8.5 |
Scene High Stakes | 7.8 | 61 | Emilia Perez : 7.7 | Shaun of the Dead: 7.8 |
Script Characters | 8.10 | 61 | Pirates of the Caribbean: 8.00 | Erin Brokovich: 8.10 |
Scene Conflict Level | 7.8 | 59 | Birdman: 7.7 | Spy kids: 7.8 |
Scene Plot | 8.1 | 57 | The father: 8.0 | Vice: 8.1 |
Overall Script | 8.15 | 56 | September 5: 8.14 | Breaking bad: 8.15 |
Scene Characters | 8.4 | 54 | Spotlight: 8.3 | True Blood: 8.4 |
Script Structure | 7.90 | 54 | Argo: 7.80 | Black mirror 304: 7.90 |
Scene Dialogue | 7.9 | 52 | The substance: 7.8 | glass Onion Knives Out : 7.9 |
Scene Emotional Impact | 7.9 | 52 | Triangle of sadness: 7.8 | fight Club: 7.9 |
Script Structure | 8.11 | 43 | A Complete Unknown: 8.10 | Casablanca: 8.11 |
Scene Formatting | 8.07 | 29 | Witness: 8.06 | Breaking bad: 8.07 |
Script Conflict | 7.20 | 28 | Mr Robot: 7.10 | There's something about Mary: 7.20 |
Scene Pacing | 8.14 | 24 | Promising young woman: 8.13 | Arsenic and old lace : 8.14 |
Scene Internal Goal | 8.00 | 20 | KILLING ZOE: 7.98 | fight Club: 8.00 |
Script Visual Impact | 7.10 | 13 | Triangle of sadness: 7.00 | Labyrinth : 7.10 |
Script Originality | 6.60 | 2 | Shaun of the Dead: 6.40 | Breaking bad: 6.60 |
Writer's Voice
Summary:The writer's voice is characterized by its grit, intensity, dark humor, and focus on morally complex characters.
Best representation: Scene 14 - . This scene is the best representation of the writer's voice because it showcases the writer's ability to blend dark humor with intense drama and create morally complex characters.
Memorable Lines:
- Hank: Meth labs are nasty on a good day -- but when you mix that stuff wrong, you wind up with mustard gas. (Scene 6)
- Walt: What if I showed you my secret? Every cook's got his recipe -- what if I taught you mine? Let us both live, I'll teach you. (Scene 13)
- Walt: Either that, or I turn you in. (Scene 7)
- Dupree: This is art. Mr. White (Scene 12)
- Walter White: My name is Walter Hartwell White. I live at 308 Belmont Avenue, Ontario, California 91764. I am of sound mind. (Scene 1)
Writing Style:
The screenplay exhibits a diverse range of writing styles, with influences from renowned screenwriters like Vince Gilligan, David Chase, and Aaron Sorkin. The focus on complex character development, moral ambiguity, realistic dialogue, and societal commentary is evident throughout the screenplay.
Style Similarities:
- Vince Gilligan
- David Chase
- Aaron Sorkin
Story Shape
Emotions Elicited
Highly Recommend
Executive Summary
Breaking Bad's pilot screenplay is a masterclass in character development, showcasing a dramatic transformation of its protagonist set against the backdrop of illegal drug manufacturing. The narrative is gripping, with a well-paced plot and rich dialogue that hooks the audience effectively.
- The screenplay offers a compelling transformation of the protagonist, Walter White, from a subdued high school teacher to a determined participant in the drug trade, providing a strong character arc. high
- The opening and closing scenes brilliantly bookend the pilot, starting and ending with high tension and action that effectively captures the viewer's attention. high ( Scene 1 Scene 14 )
- The dialogue is sharp and realistic, contributing to deep character development and enhancing the dark humor throughout the screenplay. high
- The use of setting in the isolated cow pasture adds a layer of tension and unpredictability, enhancing the overall mood and stakes of the narrative. medium ( Scene 12 )
- The pacing is meticulously crafted, balancing slower, character-driven scenes with fast-paced, high-stakes action sequences that drive the plot forward effectively. high
- Some scenes, particularly those involving drug manufacturing, might benefit from slight reductions to avoid potential pacing issues and ensure they contribute effectively to character and plot development. medium
- The screenplay could further explore the emotional impact of Walter's actions on his family, providing a deeper look into the personal consequences of his transformation. medium
- The transformation of Walter White is not only a personal journey but also a critique of societal expectations and the hidden potentials within a person. high
Screenplay Insights:
Premise: 8.6, The screenplay's premise effectively establishes a compelling and clear narrative, introducing a high school chemistry teacher's descent into the criminal underworld. However, there's potential to further enhance the originality and depth of the premise by exploring unique aspects of the drug trade and delving deeper into the moral complexities of Walt's transformation. See More
Structure: 7.9, The screenplay demonstrates a strong narrative structure, engaging plot, and coherent character arcs. It effectively sets the stage for the protagonist's transformation, deftly interweaving elements of tension, conflict, and suspense. While the premise and initial plot points are well-structured, there are opportunities to refine and enhance the storytelling dynamics to potentiate the screenplay's impact. See More
Theme: 8.4, The screenplay effectively conveys its themes and messages, highlighting the transformation of individuals amidst challenging circumstances and the consequences of one's actions. The themes are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, driving the character arcs and emotional depth. However, there is room for improvement in refining the message's clarity and resonance with the audience to fully harness its thematic potential. See More
Visual Impact: 7.1, The screenplay's visual imagery exhibits strengths in capturing the transformative journey of its main character, Walt, as he enters the criminal world. Vivid descriptions of meth preparation and the RV setting effectively immerse readers in the story. However, the screenplay could benefit from enhancing its consistency and originality to elevate the visual storytelling. See More
Emotional Impact: 8.7, The screenplay exhibits a strong foundation for emotional resonance, effectively immersing the audience in a compelling character-driven narrative. The depth of characterization and the richness of storytelling techniques contribute to the emotional depth, leaving room for further enhancement through the exploration of emotional complexities and transformative arcs. See More
Conflict: 7.2, The screenplay effectively establishes a central conflict and personal stakes for the protagonist, Walt. However, the overall presentation and integration of conflict and stakes throughout the narrative could be enhanced to deepen emotional engagement and heighten tension. See More
Originality: 6.6, The screenplay exhibits originality and creativity through its unconventional protagonist, the exploration of complex moral dilemmas, and the incorporation of scientific concepts. However, it could benefit from more innovative narrative techniques and a deeper exploration of themes. See More
Screenplay Story Analysis
Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here
Summaries
- Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, flees the law in an RV with an unconscious passenger. As he struggles with his guilt, he records a video message for his family, expressing his love and hope for their understanding. With sirens approaching, he stands ready to confront the police.
- Walt and his family share an awkward breakfast, setting a tense tone for the day. Despite Skyler's reminder about his work hours, Walt is pressured by his boss, Amir, to work overtime at the car wash. Reluctantly, Walt agrees, leaving the scene with a sense of frustration.
- Walt, frustrated at work, drives home and notices a triple overpass. At home, his brother-in-law Hank boasts about a drug bust on TV, intriguing Walt with the large amount of cash seized.
- In this scene, Walt and Skyler interact playfully and intimately in their bedroom at night. Skyler bids on an eBay auction while Walt checks himself out in the mirror. They have a sexual encounter before Walt goes to Caltech the next day, where he reflects on his past achievements. The tone is intimate and nostalgic, with no major conflicts present.
- Walt anxiously awaits a diagnosis in an exam room and receives a devastating phone call. While undergoing tests, he learns he has stage 3 multiple myeloma and only two years to live. Emotionally overwhelmed, he leaves work abruptly and nearly has an accident. At home, he appears withdrawn, hiding his diagnosis from Skyler. Despite their financial concerns, Skyler remains unaware of Walt's inner turmoil.
- Walt Jr. defies his parents and watches a violent movie featuring a drug lord. Walt, lost in thought about his cancer diagnosis, ignores his son's behavior. The next morning, Walt pushes himself too hard while exercising, breaking the machine. Realizing the severity of his condition, Walt enlists Hank's help in raiding a meth lab, leading to the arrest of a suspect. Walt's decision to confront his situation marks a turning point in his journey.
- Walt, Hank, and Gomez witness Dupree's escape from a raided house. They confront him at a bungalow, where Walt offers to partner with him in meth production, promising more knowledge and money. Dupree is hesitant but intrigued, leaving their confrontation unresolved.
- While Skyler and Marie discuss Walt's concerning behavior, Walt secretly gathers lab equipment from the high school, facing potential consequences in the process.
- Walt arrives at Dupree's house with stolen lab equipment, eager to start cooking meth. However, Dupree is critical of Walt's methods and lack of safety precautions. They argue about proper cooking techniques and the risk of attracting attention. Ultimately, they decide not to cook at Dupree's house and consider renting an RV as a mobile meth lab.
- Walt withdraws $4,000 from his pension account, despite concerns from the bank manager. He gives the money to Dupree in a parking lot to buy an RV, claiming he is "awake." Walt helps his son, Walter Jr., get dressed after a fundraising walk, despite Walter Jr.'s struggles with cerebral palsy.
- In the men's department of a Target store, Walter, Jr. tries on new jeans while his parents, Skyler and Walt, watch. Walt, distracted by his thoughts, doesn't notice three high school-aged boys making fun of Walter, Jr. for his disability. Skyler is about to confront the boys, but Walt stops her. Instead, he walks over to the boys and confronts the biggest one, kicking him in the knee and standing on his ankle. The boy's friends pull him away, and the boys leave. Skyler and Walter, Jr. are amazed by Walt's actions, and Walt feels a sense of power and realizes he likes it.
- In the evening, Walt and Dupree successfully produce high-quality crystal meth in the Winnebago. Dupree is amazed by the quality and compares Walt to an artist. They decide to sell the meth and visit Krazy-8's house to gauge his interest. Krazy-8 is impressed but suspicious of Dupree, believing he betrayed his cousin Emilio. Despite the tension, they manage to leave Krazy-8's house successfully.
- In the woods, Walt's meth-cooking is interrupted by Krazy-8, Emilio, and Dupree. Krazy-8 offers Walt a job, but Emilio recognizes Walt as a DEA agent and threatens him. To save his life, Walt offers his secret meth recipe. While pretending to prepare, Walt plots his escape by unscrewing a red phosphorus bottle. He releases the smoke, incapacitating the cousins, and flees with Dupree. Krazy-8's cigarette ignites a brush fire, trapping Walt in his Winnebago. Donning a gas mask, Walt drives through the fire and crashes, escaping as the Winnebago burns.
- Walt contemplates shooting himself but is interrupted by the sound of fire engines passing by. He vomits after inhaling toxic gas, cleans up the mess, and hides the money and confession tape in the garage. Walt then has a passionate encounter with his wife.
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Character Walter White
Description Walter's transformation from a meek chemistry teacher to a ruthless criminal mastermind happens abruptly. His willingness to resort to violence and manipulation seems inconsistent with his initial characterization.
( Scene 1 Scene 11 Scene 14 ) -
Character Jesse Pinkman
Description Jesse's initial resistance to safety precautions and his flippant attitude towards the dangers of meth production seem out of character for someone who has been involved in the drug trade.
( Scene 8 (EXT. BUNGALOW - AFTERNOON) Scene 9 (EXT. BUNGALOW - GARAGE/BACK YARD - AFTERNOON) )
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Description The ease with which Walter is able to withdraw a large sum of money from his pension account without raising suspicion seems unrealistic.
( Scene 10 (INT. CREDIT UNION - AFTERNOON) )
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Description The connection between Walter witnessing Jesse's escape from the meth lab bust and Jesse later bringing Krazy-8 and Emilio to meet Walter is not explicitly explained, leaving a gap in the narrative logic.
( Scene 7 (EXT. TARGET HOUSE - MORNING) Scene 13 (EXT. WOODS - DAY) )
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Description Walter's video message to his family while in a state of panic feels overly formal and rehearsed, which could be attributed to the stress of the situation but might seem slightly unnatural.
( Scene 1 (EXT. COW PASTURE - CONTINUOUS) )
Walt - Score: 82/100
Role
Protagonist
Character Analysis Overview
Skyler - Score: 73/100
Role
Supporting Character
Character Analysis Overview
Dupree - Score: 55/100
Role
Antagonist
Character Analysis Overview
Hank - Score: 78/100
Role
Supporting Character
Character Analysis Overview
Marie - Score: 54/100
Character Analysis Overview
Krazy-8 - Score: 68/100
Character Analysis Overview
Theme | Theme Details | Theme Explanation | ||||||||||||
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Moral Conflict (25%) | Walt's struggle with the morality of his actions as he becomes involved in the drug trade. He is initially reluctant, but as he sees the potential benefits, he becomes more comfortable with his choices. | The theme of moral conflict is a central part of the show. Walt is a good man who is forced to make bad choices in order to protect his family. The show explores the consequences of his actions and the toll they take on his soul. | ||||||||||||
Strengthening Moral Conflict:
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Family Relationships (20%) | The complex relationships between Walt and his family members. He is a loving husband and father, but he is also secretive and manipulative. His actions have a profound impact on his family, and they are forced to make difficult choices about how to deal with him. | The theme of family relationships is another important part of the show. Walt is a complex character who is both good and bad. His family loves him, but they are also aware of his flaws. The show explores the tensions and conflicts that exist within families, and the ways in which they can be overcome. | ||||||||||||
Power and Corruption (15%) | The corrupting influence of power on Walt. As he becomes more successful in the drug trade, he becomes more ruthless and manipulative. He is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his business, even if it means hurting others. | The theme of power and corruption is a common theme in crime dramas. The show explores the ways in which power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned people. Walt is a prime example of this. He starts out as a good man, but he is slowly corrupted by the power that comes with his drug empire. | ||||||||||||
Identity (10%) | Walt's struggle with his own identity. As he becomes more involved in the drug trade, he begins to lose sight of who he is. He becomes more isolated and paranoid, and he begins to make decisions that are out of character for him. | The theme of identity is a complex one. The show explores the ways in which our identities can be shaped by our experiences. Walt is a prime example of this. As he becomes more involved in the drug trade, he begins to lose sight of who he is. He becomes more isolated and paranoid, and he begins to make decisions that are out of character for him. | ||||||||||||
Consequences (10%) | The consequences of Walt's actions. As he becomes more involved in the drug trade, he puts himself and his family in danger. He also risks losing everything he has worked for. The show explores the ways in which our actions can have far-reaching consequences. | The theme of consequences is a common theme in crime dramas. The show explores the ways in which our actions can have far-reaching consequences. Walt is a prime example of this. As he becomes more involved in the drug trade, he puts himself and his family in danger. He also risks losing everything he has worked for. |
Screenwriting Resources on Themes
Articles
Site | Description |
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Studio Binder | Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters |
Coverfly | Improving your Screenplay's theme |
John August | Writing from Theme |
YouTube Videos
Title | Description |
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Story, Plot, Genre, Theme - Screenwriting Basics | Screenwriting basics - beginner video |
What is theme | Discussion on ways to layer theme into a screenplay. |
Thematic Mistakes You're Making in Your Script | Common Theme mistakes and Philosophical Conflicts |
Goals and Philosophical Conflict | |
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internal Goals | The protagonist's internal goal is to protect his family and ensure they know he loves them, despite the dangerous situation he finds himself in. |
External Goals | The protagonist's external goal is to evade law enforcement and escape the dangerous situation he is in with the RV, dead bodies, and money. |
Philosophical Conflict | The philosophical conflict revolves around the clash between personal integrity and societal expectations. |
Character Development Contribution: The protagonist's evolution from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to a morally ambiguous drug dealer is driven by his internal and external goals, as well as the philosophical conflict he faces. His decisions and actions shape his character development throughout the screenplay.
Narrative Structure Contribution: The protagonist's goals and the philosophical conflict provide a framework for the narrative structure, driving the plot forward and creating tension and drama. The resolution of these goals and conflicts influences the storyline and the protagonist's journey.
Thematic Depth Contribution: The protagonist's internal and external goals, along with the philosophical conflict, contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by exploring themes of morality, responsibility, sacrifice, and the consequences of one's actions. These elements add layers of complexity to the story and invite viewers to reflect on larger moral and ethical questions.
Screenwriting Resources on Goals and Philosophical Conflict
Articles
Site | Description |
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Creative Screenwriting | How Important Is A Character’s Goal? |
Studio Binder | What is Conflict in a Story? A Quick Reminder of the Purpose of Conflict |
YouTube Videos
Title | Description |
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How I Build a Story's Philosophical Conflict | How do you build philosophical conflict into your story? Where do you start? And how do you develop it into your characters and their external actions. Today I’m going to break this all down and make it fully clear in this episode. |
Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great | By Michael Arndt: I put this lecture together in 2006, when I started work at Pixar on Toy Story 3. It looks at how to write an "insanely great" ending, using Star Wars, The Graduate, and Little Miss Sunshine as examples. 90 minutes |
Tips for Writing Effective Character Goals | By Jessica Brody (Save the Cat!): Writing character goals is one of the most important jobs of any novelist. But are your character's goals...mushy? |
Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | Technical Aspects | |||||||||||||||||
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Click for Full Analysis | Tone | Overall | Concept | Plot | Originality | Characters | Character Changes | Internal Goal | External Goal | Conflict | Opposition | High stakes | Story forward | Twist | Emotional Impact | Dialogue | Engagement | Pacing | Formatting | Structure | |
1 - Breaking Dawn | Tense, Suspenseful, Intense, Emotional | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
2 - Breakfast and a Car Wash | Serious, Intimate, Realistic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
3 - A Triple Overpass and a Drug Bust | Tense, Dramatic, Sarcastic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
4 - Intimate Reflections | Tense, Intimate, Melancholic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
5 - A Disturbing Diagnosis | Anxious, Overwhelmed, Matter-of-fact, Disconcerting | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
6 - Walt's Epiphany | Intense, Suspenseful, Serious, Dark | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7.5 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 | |
7 - The Encounter with Dupree | Suspenseful, Intense, Serious, Dark | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
8 - Domestic Chaos and Secret Preparations | Playful, Reflective, Serious | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
9 - Meth Cooking Confrontation | Tense, Confrontational, Serious | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
10 - The Withdrawal | Intense, Serious, Tense | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
11 - Walt's Transformation | Intense, Tense, Dramatic, Confrontational | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
12 - Meth Masterpiece | Tense, Intense, Suspenseful, Dramatic | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
13 - Walt's Escape | Tense, Suspenseful, Dramatic, Intense | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
14 - Despair and Passion | Despair, Relief, Excitement, Fear, Passion | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Summary of Scene Level Analysis
Here are some things that came out of the scene level analysis.
This is a summary of the strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions found in each scene. Some things might appear in both strengths and weaknesses based on the variety of your scenes.
For summary of each criteria click in the top row on the criteria.
Scene Strengths
- Intense atmosphere
- Strong character development
- Engaging plot progression
- Tension building
- Unexpected twists
Scene Weaknesses
- Some cliched dialogue
- Lack of external conflict
- Potential for violence
- Limited character development
- Slow pacing in some moments
Suggestions
- Focus on eliminating cliched dialogue and finding unique ways for characters to express themselves
- Introduce more external conflict to create higher stakes
- Take care when portraying violence and potentially triggering content
- Strive for deep, multi-dimensional character development throughout the story
- Consider the pacing of different scenes and look for opportunities to increase momentum
Scene 1 - Breaking Dawn
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 2 - Breakfast and a Car Wash
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 3 - A Triple Overpass and a Drug Bust
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 4 - Intimate Reflections
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 5 - A Disturbing Diagnosis
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 6 - Walt's Epiphany
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 7 - The Encounter with Dupree
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 8 - Domestic Chaos and Secret Preparations
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 9 - Meth Cooking Confrontation
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 10 - The Withdrawal
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 11 - Walt's Transformation
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 12 - Meth Masterpiece
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 13 - Walt's Escape
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Scene 14 - Despair and Passion
The #1 Rule of Screenwriting: Make your reader or audience compelled to keep reading.
“Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.”
The scene level score is the impact on the reader or audience to continue reading.
The Script score is how compelled they are to keep reading based on the rest of the script so far.
Highly Recommend
Explanation: Breaking Bad's pilot screenplay is a masterclass in character development, showcasing a dramatic transformation of its protagonist set against the backdrop of illegal drug manufacturing. The narrative is gripping, with a well-paced plot and rich dialogue that hooks the audience effectively.