Live data from Hacker News

What does “execution dependent” mean? (2009)

johnaugust.com

11–12 of 12 posts

Re: What does “execution dependent” mean? (2009)

#11
post #10
post #2

It's hard to think of many movies above the crap level that are not "execution dependent". An "execution independent" script has to be so good it works as a bad production. The reverse is more likely. Action movies today are quite often great executions of a mediocre script. Especially action movies, most of which don't hold together if viewers have enough time between the explosions to think about the plot and dialo…

You might say generic rom-coms, or a retread of a Shakespearean play have proven to be consistent and execution independent. Television medical dramas or other formulaic TV might also fit the bill. They're not immune to execution flaws but they have a clear winning formula.

You might say generic rom-coms, or a retread of a Shakespearean play have proven to be consistent and execution independent.

Good point. There are lots of theater pieces which merely need competent actors to be OK. The bar for a successful movie today, though, is higher. Viewers expect very high production values to justify the overpriced popcorn.

Re: What does “execution dependent” mean? (2009)

#12
post #2

It's hard to think of many movies above the crap level that are not "execution dependent". An "execution independent" script has to be so good it works as a bad production. The reverse is more likely. Action movies today are quite often great executions of a mediocre script. Especially action movies, most of which don't hold together if viewers have enough time between the explosions to think about the plot and dialo…

I was thinking of Twilight. Was the choice of actors, location, fight directors etc. relevant to the success of the movie? Or was it down to the plain jane Mary Sue the viewer could inject themself into that a sexy vampire was in love with for no real reason? (And in the sequel, a sexy werewolf is also in love with Mary Sue for... ...reasons?) Like, I feel you could've cast this movie entirely differently, or had a d…

Twilight was actually kind of revolutionary.

Till that point urban fantasy romance really focused on adult women, and thus had enormous amounts of graphic sex, violence, and BDSM.

Twilight was a story about a teenage Virgin, and a chaste vegetarian vampire. It was so safe reading even fundamentalist religious parents would let their kids enjoy it.

So it found a huge, until then untapped market.

Post reply on HN