Product Description

Write a great script and get it into the hands of the Hollywood players!

So you want to be a screenwriter? Whether you want to write a feature film or a TV script or adapt your favorite book, this friendly guide gives you expert advice in everything from creating your story and developing memorable characters to formatting your script and selling it to the studios. You get savvy industry tips and strategies for getting your screenplay noticed!

• The screenwriting process from A to Z –– from developing a concept and thinking visually to plotline, conflicts, pacing, and the conclusion
• Craft living, breathing characters –– from creating the backstory to letting your characters speak to balancing dialogue with action
• Turn your story into a script –– from developing an outline and getting over writer′s block to formatting your screenplay and handling rewrites
• Prepare for Hollywood –– from understanding the players and setting your expectations to polishing your copy and protecting your work
• Sell your script to the industry –– from preparing your pitch and finding an agent to meeting with executives and making a deal

Open the book and find:

• The latest on the biz, from entertainment blogs to top agents to box office jargon
• New story examples from recently released films
• Tips on character development, a story′s time clock, dramatic structure, and dialogue
• New details on developing the nontraditional screenplay –– from musicals to animation to high dramatic style
• Expanded information on adaptation and collaboration, with examples from successful screenwriting duos

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10629 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 360 pages

Review
"A guide for absolute beginners, it will take you through the whole process". --Writers Forum, June 2008

Review
“Ideal for general readers, the book uses everyday examples and addresses social issues such as sweatshops and fair trade.” Moneywise June 2008

“A guide for absolute beginners, it will take you through the whole process”.Writers Forum June 2008

From the Back Cover
Write a great script and get it into the hands of the Hollywood players!

So you want to be a screenwriter? Whether you want to write a feature film or a TV script or adapt your favorite book, this friendly guide gives you expert advice in everything from creating your story and developing memorable characters to formatting your script and selling it to the studios. You get savvy industry tips and strategies for getting your screenplay noticed!

• The screenwriting process from A to Z — from developing a concept and thinking visually to plotline, conflicts, pacing, and the conclusion

• Craft living, breathing characters — from creating the backstory to letting your characters speak to balancing dialogue with action

• Turn your story into a script — from developing an outline and getting over writer′s block to formatting your screenplay and handling rewrites

• Prepare for Hollywood — from understanding the players and setting your expectations to polishing your copy and protecting your work

• Sell your script to the industry — from preparing your pitch and finding an agent to meeting with executives and making a deal

Open the book and find:

• The latest on the biz, from entertainment blogs to top agents to box office jargon

• New story examples from recently released films

• Tips on character development, a story′s time clock, dramatic structure, and dialogue

• New details on developing the nontraditional screenplay — from musicals to animation to high dramatic style

• Expanded information on adaptation and collaboration, with examples from successful screenwriting duos

Customer Reviews

Does exactly what it says on the label!
At last a readable book on screenwriting, albeit aimed at the American market. Lots of goods things in it - mine now includes loads of postitnotes to guide me back to the bits I need most. Like most of the '...for dummies' books, it cuts through the jargon. Thanks for the inspiration to continue writing!

Does exactly what it says on the tin
I've read similar books on the subject by other authors such as Syd Field. Whilst Syd Field's book "The Definitive Guide to Screenwriting" is valuable in explaining (at length and repeatedly) about getting into the mindset of being a screen writer - this book nicely lays the initial groundwork on all areas. I'd recommend getting this book before all others. If you still feel unsure after reading it, then move on to a heavier book such as the afore mentioned "The Definitive Guide to Screenwriting".