Threshold: Scripting a Coming-Of-Age

Not everyone enjoys a globe-hopping lifestyle à la Indiana Jones and 007, or endures the emotional peaks and valleys of a Scarlett O'Hara or Blanche Dubois. But most of us do come of age sooner or later, which makes it easy to relate to the pivotal events involved in growing up. First crush. Dawn of sex drive. Loss of virginity. Breakup with sweetheart. Senior prom. Graduation day. Going off to college.

In like vein, we're all familiar with the issues confronting adolescents. Forging an identity. Fitting in. Handling peer pressure. Bonds/bounds of friendship. Erosion of childhood illusions. Bridging the generation gap. Leaving the nest.

Threshold: Scripting a Coming-of-Age offers film buffs and prospective screenwriters insights into the essential elements. Chapter 1 develops the four cornerstones of all scripts irrespective of genre. Chapter 2 covers the genre's distinctive features. Chapter 3 analyzes one classic coming-of-age in depth: River's Edge. Inspired by actual events, the 1987 film confronts its seventeen-year-old protagonist with a daunting threshold rarely encountered by mature adults.

The book debuts three feature-film screenplays: "Homies"; "What Up Dawg"; "What Are Brothers For?" The respective protagonists--13, 19, 21--face age-appropriate challenges involving peer pressure, authority figures, and post-graduation blues.

Gregory G. Sarno received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of California, Berkeley. Several of his screenwriting how-tos have appeared in a London-based film journal (www.scriptwritermagazine.com). Published works include Contemporizing the Classics: Poe, Shakespeare, Doyle, and When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, which features three wartime dramas.