Chapter 2-- Carringer Scripting

Chapter 2 was an interesting look into the scripting that went into producing Citizen Kane. It begins by discussing Mankiewicz and how he came to be hired for the scriptwriting and the trouble that went along with it. Then it goes on to describe the first rough draft that was to become Citizen Kane. It was called "American" and Carringer described it as "rough drafts usually are-- excessive in content and lacking focus."
He goes on to explain though that what was most important about that first draft was that it gave them a solid story to build off of. Reading about the scripting was interesting because as viewers, we hardly ever think of what came before the finished product. It's hard to imagine that there were multiple drafts and discrepancies. It gives the film a new perspective knowing it morphed into many different versions before it was ever seen on screen. In the latter part of the second chapter, Carringer discusses the controversy surrounding writer credit for Citizen Kane. Welles claimed the credit was his and Mankiewicz didn't agree. Again, as viewers we rarely ever get a glimpse into the artistic process and Chapter 2 gave me a chance to see the trials and tribulations that go into making an iconic film such as Citizen Kane.