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Which Lie Did I Tell?
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Product Description
Following the bestselling "Adventures in the Screen" Trade Goldman has even more secrets to tell. He shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the sets of such movies as "The Princess Bride", "Misery and Maverick", and fills us in on what it's like to work with Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas, Clint Eastwood, amongst many other Hollywood players. He tells us what does and doesn't work on film and why, and conducts a virtual writer's clinic on classic moments in great screenplays: among them the crop-dusting scene in North by Northwest and the zipper scene in "There's Something About Mary". Finally, Goldman brings together some of today's top screenwriters to analyse and doctor a screenplay he created specifically for this book. "Which Lie Did I Tell?" is the definitve guide for any inspiring screenwriter in revealing the nuts and bolts behind the glitzy facade of contemporary Hollywood film.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #78222 in Books
- Published on: 2001-05-21
- Original language: English
- Binding: Paperback
- 496 pages
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Veteran Hollywood screenwriter William Goldman's sequel to Adventures In The Screen Trade is every bit as good as its illustrious predecessor. Part memoir, part screenwriting lesson, Goldman's book is everything that his readers have come to expect--opinionated, chatty, digressive and (most importantly) honest. Goldman is utterly distrustful of the Hollywood machine and with good reason: as he warns fellow screenwriters, "Most studios are planning on firing you as soon as you hand them your first draft." As the writer of numerous hits including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Marathon Man and Misery, few people are better placed to offer an insider's view of the film industry, and even fewer could be so entertaining in the process.
The way Goldman tells it, screenwriting is an unstable business at best. Yet his enthusiasm is evident in practically every sentence and his advice on writing is invaluable for those who would follow in his Oscar-winning footsteps. Throughout the book, Goldman offers numerous insights into his creative process, culminating in the final third of the book with an original script, followed by the critical comments of other top screenwriters. However, this is not just a great read for budding writers-Goldman's tales about Hollywood are so compelling that even the most casual film fan will be fascinated by this world in which, as the author has famously maintained, "nobody knows anything". --John Oates
Review
'This is a book no movie buff should fail to beg, borrow or steal' Observer 'Brilliantly told ... an irresistible, wickedly funny read' Empire
Sunday Times
'This is an excellent guide to screenwriting...an essential document of the movie industry.'
Customer Reviews
Well worth the wait
I picked up 'Adventures in the Screen Trade' in a second hand shop a couple of years back and devoured it inside a few hours. Only problem - it was written in the early 80s and a hell of a lot has happened in Hollywood since then. To wit, Burt Reynolds was the top box office star at the time. I knew it would be great if Goldman could update Adventures, giving us his pungent and ascerbic views on recent happenings amongst the rich, famous and shallow. Lo and behold, it's here - and a damn fine read it is too, even better than its predecessor. Yes, Goldman refers to 'Butch' too often, but at least he's apologetic and at least it's worth remembering. Yes, Goldman tends to butter up his buddies and slate his enemies, but don't we all do that. I'm also pretty unequivocal about friends and foes and there's nothing wrong with that. No point sitting on the fence. Yes, Goldman's judgement isn't always spot on - see the 'Magician' sequence in his original Maverick screenplay for an example of his occasional flirtations with the misguided. Hell, nobody's perfect. What's truly impressive about 'Which Lie...' is the way the inconsistency of form flows over you. Every few pages he changes tack, leading you to another entertaining anecdote, writing masterclass or super-charged rant. Just as in his better screenplays, the narrative never lets you off the hook. It's pretty compelling stuff. Oh, and despite all the sour recollections and righteous anger, don't think for one moment that Goldman hates films. I'm not even convinced he hates Hollywood as much as he pretends. There's a passion for the medium that runs throughout his work. It's this passion and whole-heartedness about everything he does that belies his brand of witty cynicism. The passion is why he finds it so hard to accept betrayal, mediocrity or ostentation. The man has a big heart, and writing 'Adventures' and 'Which Lie..' must have been as cathartic for him as the results are inspirational for the budding screenwriter.
Very enjoyable and informative for budding writers
My greatest ambition and desire is to become a screenwriter but due to a complete lack of ideas and, let's face it, talent, I'm still stuck in the desk job. Still, Goldman's book gives you a brilliant glimpse at the life one could lead given only a fragment of his ability. It's full of witty insights into the workings of Hollywood, crammed with his teachings on the craft of screenwriting. Despite all that, he is also careful to point out that there are no hard and fast rules, no right or wrong method and of course not - it's an artistic process. REally a joy to read, and I've found it has effected the way I watch movies and listen to the dialogue.
It just goes to show
I bought this book because I wanted to understand more about the process of screenwriting and I was not disappointed.
I would agree with the other reviewers of this book that Goldman does not set out to explain how to write a screenplay but rather to talk about screenplays within the context of his own Hollywood life. The insights it gives into the film world are well worth a read - and, as a consequence, the book sails along at a great pace.
But there are two things that come across very strongly: the first is that you get an overwhelming sense of pace within movies. This is not something I had given much thought to before but Goldman's book makes it hard to watch another film without being affected by its rhythm and that can make a wonderful difference if you're a writer.
The second is that the final part of the book, his own original screenplay, is awful. The guy has spent a lot of time pointing out what's great and terrible about all manner of stories, scripts, films and scenarios and then manages to come up with something that would embarrass most novices. Which is great. Because it underlines everything he says throughout the rest of the book - that writing is not easy and that story is everything.
I thought it invaluable to have read this book - and extremely enjoyable too.
