Product Description

Having read tons of screenplays as an executive, Denny Martin Flinn has come to understand that while all good screenplays are unique, all bad screenplays are the same. Flinn's book will teach the reader how to avoid the pitfalls of bad screenwriting, and arrive at one's own destination intact. Every example used was gleaned from a legitimate screenplay. Flinn's advice is a no-nonsense analysis of the latest techniques for crafting first-rate screenplays that sell.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26951 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
A "must-have" new screenwriting book
Having read tons of screenplays as an executive, Denny Martin Flinn has come to understand that while all good screenplays are unique, all bad screenplays are the same -- they’re bad. Flinn's book will teach the reader how to avoid the pitfalls of bad screenwriting, and arrive at one's own destination intact. Every example used was gleaned from a legitimate screenplay. Flinn's advice is a no-nonsense analysis of the latest techniques for crafting first-rate screenplays that sell. Includes script excerpts.

* Don't list a cast of characters. * Don't use (CONTINUED) at the top and bottom of each page. * Don't number your scenes. * Don't use CUT TO unless it's a new scene. * Don't tell the actors what words to punch. * Don't interpret everything. * Don't put acting notes into your script unless they are unavoidable. * Don’t coach an actor on how to say his lines. * There is no such thing as (a beat) and using this amid dialogue because you want the actor to take a pause, is incorrect. * Leave the music track alone. * People don’t talk to themselves. * Don't put in a lot of gratuitous camera instruction. * Don’t lecture. * Don't write current fads. About the author: Denny Martin Flinn is a produced screenwriter. Flinn authored the books What They Did For Love (Bantam Books) and Musical! A Grand Tour (Schirmer Books). He has also written two mystery novels. Mr. Flinn lives in Los Angeles.

About the Author
Denny Martin Flinn is a produced screenwriter and the author of the successful book "How NOT to Write a Screenplay" (1580650155, GBP14.99).

Customer Reviews

This is how to write a screenplay
This is not a book on story, or archetypes, but a great guide on how your screenplay should be written. That's your screenplay, not how your story should be written. This book is for someone who is ready to write, and all the questions that will come up about what you should put on the page, and how you should put it on the page, will be answered.
If you are ready to write your screenplay this is the book you will need at hand to dip into everytime you need to know how to formatt a telephone call or how not to give stage or acting directions to the actor.
Extremly helpful book you'll keep referring to as you write.

Done Deal's Review
"Rather than learn how to write the 'perfect' screenplay (as if there is such a thing), Flinn preaches how not to write the one that will make the agents, producers, and readers laugh at you."

"Flinn gives a no-nonsense, brutally honest look at what makes a screenplay terrible, and how to avoid the fate most screenplays - reaching the reject pile. For the sake of your screenplay and the paper wasted on poorly written screenplays, buy this book, analyze this book, and learn from this book." -Excerpts from Jason Antebi's review at Done Deal (Scriptsales.com)

Learning through mistakes, and professionals
The book is devided into 3 sections. The first section (the most part of the book) I would give 5 stars. The reason being that it teaches you, through mistakes and quality writing how to/ or not to write for film.

I found myself laughing at the witty comments the author makes. Often referring to bad writing submitted through 'quality agents'. It's a shame that the rest of the book tapers off towards the end.

The second part, is story developemt. The book only glazes over story. Other books dedicated to story development I would have to recommend, McKee's Story, for example.

The third section, only lasted a few pages, and is not worth mentioning about.

Overall, the book is very helpful. I've read about 9 other screenwriting books before, and this one made a very good impression on me. Despite its later flaws, it's still worth buying for the larger 1st part.

over and out, Daniel