How I Wrote Arrival

Summary

This video provides an insightful behind-the-scenes look at the writing and development process of the film *Arrival*. The screenwriter shares their journey with the heptapod language, the challenges of adapting Ted Chiang's story, and the emotional depth of the mother-daughter relationship at the film's core. With reflections on creative choices, such as the inclusion of non-verbal language and the deterministic versus free-will themes, the writer emphasizes the collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve. This behind-the-scenes glimpse offers valuable insights into the meticulous crafting of a film that balances intellectual depth with emotional resonance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The challenge of writing the heptapod language was significant for the screenwriter, who initially struggled with making it work without over-explaining it.
• 😀 The writer used a visual diagram of the heptapod language to help convey its complexity, leading to the realization that it could be included in the script as a graphic.
• 😀 The writer discovered Ted Chiang's story 'Story of Your Life' online and was deeply inspired by it, which influenced the creation of the movie.
• 😀 The central focus of the film was on the character Louise and her relationship with her daughter, with the alien visitation as a secondary element.
• 😀 The writer intentionally avoided the usual 'magic trick' structure in films, preferring to reveal the emotional core of the story early on.
• 😀 Early drafts of the script included scenes of Louise teaching basic vocabulary to the heptapods, but these were deemed too boring, leading to a more engaging scene about the complexity of language.
• 😀 The film's narrative was crafted carefully to avoid over-explanation, balancing exposition and story development without making it feel like a 'TED talk.'
• 😀 A key thematic shift occurred when the writer chose to emphasize free will, allowing the character of Louise to have the choice of whether to embrace the inevitable future with her daughter.
• 😀 The director, Denis Villeneuve, played a highly collaborative role, consistently discussing and scrutinizing every part of the script, adding depth to the filmmaking process.
• 😀 A memorable moment in the film was the use of Mandarin, with the director pushing for a crucial line that would 'save the world' but ultimately decided to leave it untranslated, adding complexity to the scene.

Q & A

Why did the screenwriter find the heptapod language challenging?

The screenwriter found the heptapod language challenging because he was initially struggling to describe it in a way that felt cinematic, instead of getting too novelistic. He wanted to avoid overcomplicating the script with excessive descriptions and exposition.

How did the screenwriter’s wife contribute to solving the issue with the heptapod language?

The screenwriter’s wife suggested simply including a graphic of the heptapod language in the script, rather than trying to describe it in words. This advice helped streamline the process and avoid unnecessary verbal explanations.

What was the screenwriter's reaction to reading Ted Chiang's *Story of Your Life*?

The screenwriter was deeply impressed by Ted Chiang's *Story of Your Life*. He found it emotionally overwhelming and was inspired to adapt it into a film. The story’s exploration of determinism and free will resonated with him, leading to a desire to make a profound film adaptation.

What significant change did the screenwriter make to Ted Chiang’s original story for the film?

One of the key changes the screenwriter made was to have the heptapods show up at Louise’s front door, creating a more immediate sense of urgency and a ticking clock. This deviated from the original story, where the heptapods’ presence was more passive and less focused on the protagonist.

Why did the screenwriter want to avoid a ‘magic trick’ approach to storytelling?

The screenwriter wanted to avoid a ‘magic trick’ approach to storytelling, where a big reveal would be the centerpiece of the film. Instead, he wanted to present the story and its emotional weight from the beginning, allowing the audience to understand the stakes without relying on surprise twists.

What approach did the screenwriter take in writing the relationship between Louise and her daughter?

The screenwriter focused on writing scenes that depicted the mother-daughter relationship, drawing inspiration from Ted Chiang's short story and creating some new scenes to emphasize the emotional core of the story. This allowed him to explore themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.

What was the issue with the early drafts involving language learning scenes?

In early drafts, the scenes where Louise teaches the heptapods basic vocabulary were deemed boring and not engaging. The screenwriter initially tried to depict these scenes in a very literal and straightforward way, but they lacked the excitement and depth needed for the film.

How did the screenwriter improve the language learning scenes?

The screenwriter reworked the scenes by framing the language-learning process as part of an argument or debate, making it more engaging for both the characters and the audience. This helped convey important exposition about language without being overly simplistic or boring.

What was Denis Villeneuve’s involvement in shaping the script?

Denis Villeneuve was deeply involved in the script development process. He meticulously reviewed every detail, often calling the screenwriter to discuss minor changes, subtext, and specific lines of dialogue. His approach ensured the film stayed true to the emotional essence while maintaining authenticity.

How did the screenwriter feel about the final version of the Mandarin line in the film?

The screenwriter was initially stressed about finding the perfect Mandarin line that would be integral to the film. After drafting many versions, he eventually crafted a poetic line. However, Denis Villeneuve chose not to include subtitles for that line, creating a more impactful moment where the meaning was left to the audience's interpretation.