"I went straight in. Fade in, one... whatever. He's playing the piano in the radio station"
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The quote from Ronald Harwood uses a peek into a creative story procedure, perhaps referring to writing for film or theater. The expression "I went straight in" suggests an immediacy or directness in the storytelling approach, suggesting that the writer dives straight into the action or a pivotal scene without preamble. This might recommend a passion to capture the audience's immediate attention, engaging them rapidly with compelling storytelling.
The expression "Fade in, one ... whatever" gives insight into the technical side of the writing process, specifically scriptwriting. "Fade in" is a common movie script term showing the beginning of a scene, typically used to transition from darkness or a previous scene to a brand-new visual element. By somewhat playfully or dismissively stating "one ... whatever", Harwood could be suggesting a sense of familiarity or casualness with the technical details of scriptwriting, as if to say that these are simply formalities in the art of crafting a story.
The final part of the quote, "He's playing the piano in the radio station", positions the reader or audience into an evocative setting. This expression is abundant with potential interpretations, as it paints a vivid picture and recommends a scene where music is central to the narrative or character advancement. A piano being played in a radio station could symbolize a mix of conventional and modern-day components-- live, symphonic music converging with the technological medium of radio. It might signify a moment of creative expression, a broadcast of human emotion, and even a metaphor for communication beyond words.
Overall, Harwood's quote records the essence of scriptwriting as a craft that demands both technical precision and imaginative spontaneity. It highlights the balance between structuring a scene to fit within the technical confines of a screenplay and letting the creative elements of the story come to life, capturing the imagination and eliciting feeling from the audience.
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