USC Scripter Awards: "Death By Lightning" SHOCKS Hollywood! What's Next?!

Hollywood's award season is in full swing, and the USC Libraries Scripter Awards just added a fascinating layer to the conversation. This isn't your typical "best screenplay" recognition; the Scripters uniquely celebrate the often-overlooked connection between original written works and their adapted screenplays. Last Saturday night, the 38th annual ceremony honored two very different, yet equally compelling stories: Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" and Netflix's limited series "Death By Lightning."

USC Scripter Awards: "Death By Lightning" SHOCKS H...

The big winner in the film category was undoubtedly "One Battle After Another." Anderson, along with the elusive literary genius Thomas Pynchon, took home the award for their collaboration. It's a fascinating pairing, considering Pynchon's notoriously private nature. The film, a complex and stylish crime drama, draws its inspiration from Pynchon’s sprawling 1990 novel. This Scripter win is just another feather in the film's cap, following its successes at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and arriving just ahead of its impressive 13 Oscar nominations. Talk about momentum!

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Anderson and Pynchon have been recognized by the USC Scripters. They were previously nominated in 2014 for "Inherent Vice," another Pynchon adaptation. It seems they've found a winning formula. "One Battle After Another" faced some stiff competition, though. It edged out adaptations of literary classics like "Frankenstein" and "Hamnet," as well as compelling stories like "Peter Hujar’s Day" and "Train Dreams," showcasing the diverse range of narratives being adapted for the screen.

On the television side, "Death By Lightning" emerged as the victor. This Netflix limited series captivated audiences, and its adaptation clearly resonated with the Scripter voters. The competition was equally fierce in the television category, with "Death By Lightning" triumphing over other noteworthy adaptations like "Dark Winds," "Dept. Q," "Slow Horses," and "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light." It just goes to show the increasing quality and prestige of television adaptations these days.

The black-tie event, held at USC's Town and Gown ballroom and hosted by USC Libraries Dean Melissa Just, wasn't just about celebrating recent adaptations. The ceremony also honored crime writer Michael Connelly with the USC Libraries Scripter Literary Achievement Award. Titus Welliver, who brilliantly portrays Connelly's iconic detective Harry Bosch in the Prime Video series "Bosch" and its various spinoffs, had the honor of presenting the award. It was a fitting tribute to a writer whose work has not only captivated readers but has also successfully translated to the screen, showcasing the power of compelling storytelling across different mediums. It's nice to see the Scripters acknowledge the lifetime contribution of a writer, in addition to celebrating individual adaptations.