Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16234 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

I'll admit it's a good idea to read this book, but...
Screenplay is a fine book, in a sense, simply because it has achieved such popularity that it has affected what studios expect from spec screenplays. A lot of it still holds true: most screenplays seem to have a "three act structure", whether or not the writer was thinking in these terms; most screenplays are very formulaic and created with buzzwords and phrases like "less black per page" and "show don't tell" in mind... Basically, most people want an easy paint-by-numbers approach to screenwriting. And all too often the paint-by-numbers crowd gets something produced (thankfully, most of them fail).

The problem with this book is that the "Syd Field paradigm" isn't such a hot thing anymore. Movies such as Pulp Fiction, LA Confidential, and Unforgiven, to name a few, have shown us and Hollwood that story is much more important than structure. The other major problem is that many suggestions within the book will get your work rejected at a glance. For instance, Syd Field basically suggests that we "direct on the page" when he advises occasional references to camera angles, reverses, POV, and close-ups in the slug line. Bad idea.

I found this book interesting but creatively stifling and a bit misleading. The author has his heart in the right place but seems a bit too sure of his theories.

Story and creativity are much more important than structure. The best way to tell if you're "on track" with your story is to ask yourself, "Do I like this?" Don't ask yourself, "How can I get Act One to end on page 27?"

Easy to read, great to learn!
I am almost finished with this book & it's an absolute find! I am studying screenwriting at the moment & found this book to be extremely helpful, both in & out of the class.
Syd Field's style is so very easy to follow & his use of repetition is excellent in making everything stick firmly in your mind!
I would suggest to anyone contemplating writing their own script to invest the time & money in this book. It will certainly help you achieve your goal...and maybe even your dream!

Best of luck:-)

All beginners must read!
Anyone interested in the art of screenwriting should read this book, preferrably before they start a script. I started mine beforehand and now I wish I'd had this first.

Every aspect of your writing and your attitude towards what you will get out of writing will be improved with reading this book. Everything from structure (the famous paradigm) and your expectations of how to seel your script are covered.

This book is so effortlessly written (at least it seems so) that reading it is very easy and you may well finish it in a few sittings.

This guy is a master in his field and you can get a lot of expertise from him for a very small sum of money. BUY IT!!