Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • re-name the book
  • Ignore the Haters; they didn't get it
  • simple good advice and nothing more
  • Friends close, Enemies closer
  • Fun Learning
 Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
Blake Snyder
Manufacturer: Michael Wiese Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1932907009

Book Description

This ultimate insider's guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz Veteran who's proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat!

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars re-name the book.......2007-10-03

The book should've been named "How to take the joy out of screenwriting."

Although Blake Snyder is at the top of the screenwriting industry (he has had two spec scripts that have been made into movies), it is fortunate that he wasn't born during the Renaissance and wound up teaching artists how to precisely paint.

Perhaps everything he states in the book may be the absolute gospel in Hollywood (ala Syd Field/Robert McKee at al), but Blake Snyder believes all screenplays must be severely structured:
- The script must have precisely 40 scenes for some unknown reason
- the theme of the script must be made by page 5
- the catalyst (a life-changing event) must occur precisely on page 12
- the hero finally making the decision to act must be on page 25 (end of act one)
- the B story of a script must begin around page 30
- there must be an identifiable midpoint (exactly on page 55 of a 110-page script) where the hero peaks or the world collapses all around the hero or vice-a-versa
- the hero's "All is lost" scene must be on page 75
- and so on.

True, he reveals previously unknown industry secrets such as all scripts must have a terrific logline, a great title, a likeable hero (thus the title of the book), and must have conflict.

On the plus side, the book is certainly well organized and extremely well written. Is it worth shelling out 3 bucks on E-bay? Check your public library.

5 out of 5 stars Ignore the Haters; they didn't get it.......2007-10-03

If you think this book is just for family-film-oriented writers, you missed the big picture. Blake Snyder has hit the ball way, way, way, WAY out of the park with this one. Take the analytical tools he provides and unleash them on any mainstream movie from any genre from JAWS and SAW to E.T. and BACK TO THE FUTURE. I guarantee that the ones that follow his structure most closely are the ones that not only struck a chord with viewers, but laughed all the way to the bank.

Want to write a nice indy flick that you and your twenty closest friends can watch in someone's basement? Ignore Blake Snyder. Want to write a loud, crash-and-bang, content-missing movie people will forget in five years except to laugh? Ignore Blake Snyder. Want a movie you won't be able to pitch in five HOURS, let alone the five minutes you'll really have? Ignore Blake Snyder.

But if you want to write/direct/produce a film that satisfies on every level from the superficial to the sublime, then this is the book for you.

I never had a single offer on my work until I followed his advice.

SAVE THE CAT. Live it. Love it. Learn from it. Buy extra copies, 'cause if you're smart, you'll wear out the first one.

3 out of 5 stars simple good advice and nothing more.......2007-09-30

This book contains alot of good advice for screenplay writing. however, the book is really aimed towards making "family films". all the movies he references are family films, and sometimes his own. It is a good book to get yourself in the right mindset for writing a screenplay but you can't rely on it to much or you might find yourself writing really dumb kids movies like "Blank Check". The process he gives you is very formulaic and his approach is more toward making money. but overall good read and good information. and who knows, maybe if you follow his advice to the point you could sell a screenplay to Spielberg for a million dollars too!

5 out of 5 stars Friends close, Enemies closer.......2007-09-29

This IS a book about writing incredibly formulaic screenplays period. For my likes and dislikes, I would refer to Blake's movie ideas as groaners. That said, I find this book to be INCREDIBLY HELPFUL, amazing, on laying out that Hollywood 'movie' formula. It's great for creating structure. I'm not expecting this book to make me a more intersting storyteller. But I've worked with a number of hugely successful film producers / directors, and for the most part, they comletely rely on formula. Now, it's YOUR job to make that intersting. It's your job to know HOW breaking that formula makes your idea work better. It's all really valuable information. Do other books cover this same subject? Probably. But since I don't want to waste too much of my time reading screenplay books, I found this one to give me exactly what I needed. And I'll make it interesting.

5 out of 5 stars Fun Learning.......2007-09-13

The kind of book I wanted to read and write at the same time. Fun, very informative, inspiring and helpful. I've already ordered some as a gift for other writer-friends.
How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Almost Worthless
  • Read this one - but not first.
  • Entertaining overview of the things most new screenwriters do wrong
  • Excellent workbook
  • Okay, Okay
 How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make
Denny Martin Flinn
Manufacturer: Lone Eagle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1580650155

Amazon.com

How Not to Write a Screenplay is an invaluable addition to any aspiring screenwriter's shelf--and you'd best make the shelf within arm's reach of the computer. Author Dean Martin Flinn, an experienced script reader, details the common rookie mistakes that drive script readers crazy. Flinn makes no pretense of being able to teach anyone how to write the next Great American Film--or for that matter the next Stupid Summer Blockbuster. Instead he offers information that will help keep the novice screenwriter's opus from being immediately tossed on the trash pile (arguably a more valuable service). As Flinn says in his introduction, if you follow the advice in this book, "you may not write a particularly good screenplay, but you won't write a bad one." Flinn offers practical advice on formatting, such as the proper form for a slugline and where to set your margins, and more general rules of thumb on giving the actors room to interpret their roles and avoiding dictating camera angles to the director (who will ignore them anyway). The second half of the book deals with content, also in a remarkably pragmatic way--structure, pacing, plot resolution, and dialogue that really stink are all handily dealt with. Flinn illustrates almost all his points with excerpts from screenplays both good and bad (names have been changed to protect the guilty), giving the reader concrete examples of the difference between poorly and well-structured scenes. Not sucking is an unusual goal for a screenwriting manual, but any script reader will agree it is a noble one. --Ali Davis

Book Description

Finally, what may be the last screenwriting book a writer will ever need to buy!

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Almost Worthless.......2007-05-13

There are at least two valuable books on screenplay writing - this is not one of them. Once a writer has read David Trottier's "Screenwriter's Bible" and Robert McKee's "Story", it is obvious that "How Not to Write a Screenplay" is full of obvious points and platitudes that are almost worthless. Most of this book is excerpts from screenplays that blatenly seem to be there so the book has more pages. Don't waste money your money on Flinn's book.

4 out of 5 stars Read this one - but not first........2007-03-12

I have several "How to" books on screenplay writing. If you do too, then you need this one. It tells you what you are doing wrong. I promise many more than one "Oop!" moment from this entertaining and easy to read work.

4 out of 5 stars Entertaining overview of the things most new screenwriters do wrong.......2006-08-29

Flinn has a sense of humor. That is the first thing one notices while reading his book, and that's the one thing that makes it stand out.

"How NOT to Write a Screenplay" is a witty and entertaining tool for learning the DOs and DON'Ts of the screenwriting craft. Packed full of examples drawn from real and make-believe scripts, it can be a definite help to a writer new to the industry. Anyone who has ever read another of the many available books on script formatting will find his commentary amusing. For example:

"Don't use (CONTINUED) at the top and bottom of each page. You're wasting four lines. Anyone reading your screenplay who doesn't know he's supposed to turn the page is a numskull."

Or his comments regarding music suggestions:

"Leave the music track alone: 'THIS SHOULD BE AN UPBEAT SCENE WITH A GOOD MUSIC TRACK.' (Darn. The studio really wanted to use a bad music track.)"

The second half of the book, covering content and story development, provides similar information to that of books by more well-known authors such as Linda Seger or Syd Field, but offers that information encapsulated in smaller sections that make everything quite easy to relate to...sections such as "Suspense", "Believability", "Twists" and "Whammies".

While the book doesn't teach you how to write the perfect screenplay, it does cover many of the practical details. Its strength isn't in storycraft but rather in addressing all the little details screenwriters tend to forget or abuse. Though some of the information is repetitive, there are plenty of examples and excerpts from screenplays -- some good, most bad, and some you may even recognize. Flinn's advice coupled with the many examples can help you avoid the pitfalls so many screenwriters encounter.

4 out of 5 stars Excellent workbook.......2006-08-07

So happy I purchased this before starting my screenplay so I didn't have to do endless edits.

As a reader of many bad screenplays Mr. Flinn certainly knows the pitfalls that will keep a screenplay from even being finished. excellent workbook.

Barbara Gilmer

3 out of 5 stars Okay, Okay.......2006-08-05

This is a book that could have been a long article, or two. But those article would have been interesting. I found the book getting very repetitive in the last half, when we started getting the same material over and over again. But the notions is good: that you need short scenes, with a whammy.
Screenwriting for Dummies
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good information
  • Good to read, you will not waste time.
  • A smooth, decent guide
  • Same ol' song and dance
  • good book. too much information in one book.
 Screenwriting for Dummies
Laura Schellhardt
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764554867

Book Description

Includes all the essentials for writing a screenplay, from crafting dialogue to marketing a script
Packed with easy-to-understand guidelines and writing projects, Screenwriting For Dummies makes film writing accessible to novices and helps more experienced writers improve their scripts. This engaging guide walks readers through the essential elements of every good screenplay, from character development, to creating a story, to writing compelling dialogue, to adopting a screenplay from a different source. It also includes all the specific formatting details that go into writing a visual screenplay from scripting character introductions, to writing the camera into the script, to creating a cinematic collage. In addition, Screenwriting For Dummies covers the important task of selling a screenplay, including tips for getting a spec script into the proper marketing format, protecting intellectual property rights, and securing an agent.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good information.......2007-10-02

This book is full of helpful information in screenwriting. It is easy to understand and a go to if you get stuck in the middle of writing. I recommend this to all screenwriters.

4 out of 5 stars Good to read, you will not waste time........2007-08-28

This was my second book about screenwriting. thats mean I had a good background of screenwriting when i decided to buy and read it.

For starters this is an excellent book to know every detail. some informations repeated in other chapters but u can skip if u understood them.

Too detailed and direct too! just as the title said.

the most thing i liked in this book is the "Formatting a Screenply". the book well organized and that is why i gave this book 4 stars. if its organized why some informations repeated in other chapters?

if this is the style of for dummies series, you can ignore my words about repeating.

3 out of 5 stars A smooth, decent guide.......2007-07-22

If you're just starting out, this is a decent guide. There are other books which cover the basics like The Bare Bones Book of Screenwriting that are more simple, clear and precise. Overall Screenwriting for Dummies does its job.

2 out of 5 stars Same ol' song and dance.......2007-04-10

A friend of mine bought this book and shouldn't have. Laura Schellhardt isn't a seasoned pro at screenwriting, she is a TEACHER. Not a good one at that.

Yes, the book is informative, but it doesn't say anything different that any other book does, other than the Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier. Trottier is a professional writer with numerous credits under his belt. So my advice is to "Schell" out an extra dollar so you can buy the Screenwriter's Bible and just leave Screenwriting for Dummies alone.

5 out of 5 stars good book. too much information in one book........2006-06-01

I bought it 1 month ago and I haven't finished it yet. it's more of a reference book. I refer to it quite a bit. her writing has flow and easy to understand. I personally don't like "dummies" series but this one is good.

I wish she had a CD with it for search and indexing. this book has lots of information, I orginally planned to finish it in a week and I am still reading it.

I haven't bought it for actually writing a script but for a project I am working on.

probably the best I've seen so for.

cheers
The Writer's Guide to Writing Your Screenplay: How to Write Great Screenplays for Movies and Television
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A Great Book!
  • The best!
  • Read it Thrice
  • Finally, somebody who knows what they're talking about!
  • Writer's Guide to Writing Your Screenplay
 The Writer's Guide to Writing Your Screenplay: How to Write Great Screenplays for Movies and Television
Cynthia Whitcomb
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  4. Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to
  5. How to Write a Selling Screenplay How to Write a Selling Screenplay

ASIN: 0871161915

Book Description

With the average payment for a screenplay over $100,000, every writer knows that screenwriting is where the money is. In this guide, successful screenwriter and teacher Cynthia Whitcomb shares her extensive knowledge on writing for the screen. This book will teach you her proven techniques, including how to:

• test an idea for its commercial potential
• plan a compelling script
• write great openings and endings
• create characters that grow and evolve
• revise and hone your script to attract Hollywood agents and producers

Includes lists of the best movies to study—and why!

Cynthia Whitcomb has sold more than 70 feature-length screenplays, 25 of which have been filmed. She has made millions of dollars for her work, and her scripts have won and been nominated for many awards, including the Emmy Award, Cable Ace Award, Edgar Allan Poe Award, Humanitas Award, and Writers Guild of America Awards. Her students have also gone on to write successful box-office hits. She has taught screenwriting for many years, including seven at the acclaimed UCLA Film School.

Whitcomb's commercial success and teaching experience make this an essential resource for anyone who wants to write winning scripts for Hollywood.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Great Book!.......2007-04-04

I'm writing my first screenplay and found this book to be invaluable. Worth its weight in gold.

5 out of 5 stars The best!.......2007-03-14

I've read other screenplay books, watched videos and this book is the best! Not just telling you what to do but with real world suggestions. She rewrites movie endings for you so you can see how a good movie could have been a great movie. She shows you mediocre dialogue and rewrites it so it's great movie dialogue.
It's a great book for novelists too. Creating crisp believable dialogue, creating conflicted characters, pacing. It's all here.
She is direct and like a great movie, gets to the real issues fast.

5 out of 5 stars Read it Thrice.......2006-10-08

"A Brief History of Time" for scriptwriters.

Compressing novel-length stories into an interesting 90-120 minutes, is a big part of the art.

Whitcomb puts a huge quantity of important information into very few pages.

She writes with simple words in short sentences, yet the content is astonishingly information rich.

And spot on.

A rare talent seen only in the very gifted.

There are books on scriptwriting that run to 500+ pages that are quite good. J. Michael Straczynski's works come immediately to mind.

However you can re-read this book 5 times in fewer minutes than it takes to read any of those longer books once. With repetition, you'll surely retain much more of what you read.

Recommended. Highly.

5 out of 5 stars Finally, somebody who knows what they're talking about!.......2006-07-04

Whenever I am about to buy a 'how to write' book, I first look at the bio to see what the writer has actually done. Just about every 'how-to' is written by a 'haven't-done-much.' Cynthia Whitcomb's professional experience is far and away the most.

Not to say other books don't have sound advice, but I sensed a depth here that was lacking elsewhere. I attribute that to her experience.

BTW, I'm a published prose writer, and I recommend this book for prose writers, since a lot of what she says translates over to the written page. It wouldn't hurt novelists to structure plots and develop scenes with as much craft and skill as screenwriters do.

5 out of 5 stars Writer's Guide to Writing Your Screenplay.......2006-03-06

As an old writer who is new to the field of screemwriting, I have found the industry full of mystery when attempting to write a screenplay. Cynthia's book takes away a lot of the confusion and worry by succinctly explaining terms, giving multiple clear-cut examples, and laying out the entire process so that rookies can learn the basics, and experienced writers can get a quick review from an entertaining source. I am sincerely hoping Cynthia plans to write a similar book in the future with regards to publishing hints!
Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Still Unbeatable
  • I love this book
  • AWESOME Book for anyone who wants to learn or improve your Screen writing
  • The best first book on screenwriting without a doubt
  • How great is this book? I've bought five copies!
 Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to
Michael Hauge
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0062725009

Book Description

The up-to-date, acclaimed guide to writing and selling screenplays to today's film and TV markets. This is the new screenwriter's bible.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Still Unbeatable.......2007-04-27

I'll go straight to the point: the part on character creation and development is worth all the books published about the subject in the last twenty years. The simple-straightforward-logical method displayed here is simply unbeatable.

This is really an old book, but don't make the mistake to think of it as outdated. Sure, it's kind of weird read things as "recent films like Rambo" but all the eighties movies that he mentions and uses as practical examples are totally time tested.

Also, I would pay its full price for the single analysis of The Karate Kid included. Laugh if you want. I'm sure you will learn a lot.

A final thought: There are two kinds of "how-to" books. The ones that should be called "how-should" (yeah, that ones that tell you how a good script should look judging by the subsequent movie, i can do that too) and real "how-to's", that guide you step by step with a logical process so you can learn.

Obviously, Hauge's book stands proud among the last ones. Thank you, Mike, wherever you are.

5 out of 5 stars I love this book.......2007-04-17

I just finished taking a continuing education course on script writing at my local college and this book has been very helpful with supplimenting what I learned. It is packed with all kinds of info and is very easy to read. There are several good books out there and this is one of them.

5 out of 5 stars AWESOME Book for anyone who wants to learn or improve your Screen writing.......2007-03-31

I purchased this book and Mike's Hero's Journey DVD and he has a great way to explain the magic of screen writing, his advices and examples are clear and helps you apply right away to your screen writing. I enjoyed very much reading his book and seeing his DVD. I highly recommend any book or materials from Mike to anyone that might be aspiring to become a screen writer or wants to improve your screen writing techniques.

5 out of 5 stars The best first book on screenwriting without a doubt.......2006-12-24

First of all, I feel I have to say that English is not my mother language, but never mind; I have read this book easily. To be honest, I've just read only a first half of the book; the second part - An Analysis of The Karate Kid - I was not interested in.

However, the first half (which is about 160 to 170 pages) gave me the full insight of the ingredients of a good screenplay and how to obtain them. Although the book is not perfect, I think that after reading it you can easily write your first screenplay with the confidence.

These days I am reading Ray Frensham's Teach Yourself Screenwriting which (in my opinion) has more extensive approach to screenwriting, although it is more concise written. However, the knowledge gained from the Writing Screenplays that sell helps me great to absorb the material from that book very easy.

So, if you want to start learning how to write screenplay from the beginning, first read Writing Screenplays That Sell, and you will not regret. On the contrary, you will be very satisfied with that decision. After that, you can read any book you like or immediately start writing you first screenplay, whatever you wish.

5 out of 5 stars How great is this book? I've bought five copies!.......2006-11-02

If my house were burning, and I could only rescue ONE screenwriting book of the 60 that I own and (yes) have read, it would be Michael Hauge's "Writing Screenplays That Sell."

While it is terrific for the beginner, I had already written three scripts before reading this book, but the advice and guidance in this book focused me so well that I now judge my writing experience as "pre-Hauge," and "post-Hauge." Post-Hauge, I have had five scripts reach Semi-Final stage in the Nicholl Fellowship, and three have been optioned.

I have also bought this book as gifts for five friends, including my son, who said that they wanted to learn how to write a feature script.

You won't go wrong following the advice in this book.


The Screenwriter's Manual: A Complete Reference of Format & Style
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Note from the Publisher
  • excellent resource (but buy the other cheaper copy)
 The Screenwriter's Manual: A Complete Reference of Format & Style
Stephen E. Bowles , Ronald Mangravite , and Peter A. Zorn
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. The Screenwriter's Workbook (Revised Edition) The Screenwriter's Workbook (Revised Edition)

ASIN: 0205426557

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Note from the Publisher.......2006-06-30

We're extremely happy that the book has been found to be an excellent resource.

We wanted to clarify why there are two books available on Amazon with two prices. Allyn & Bacon, a Pearson Education Company, is an educational publisher, and as such we publish books with pedagogical tools to be used in college courses. The edition with the sample log line and treatment and sample step outline appendices is for the education market. When we decided to publish an edition for the broader consumer market, titled The Complete Screenwriter's Manual: A Comprehensive Reference of Format and Style, the pedagogical tools were no longer necessary, and thus we could remove them and set the trade edition at a lower price.

5 out of 5 stars excellent resource (but buy the other cheaper copy).......2006-03-28

Every page of this book -- except two appendices (16 pgs: Sample Log Line and Treatment, and Sample Step Outline) -- is identical to what is found in "the Complete Screenwriter's Manual, another version of this book at $12.32 Amazon ($18.95 retail). That being said, the content that is identical is absolutely excellent. Both works outline in extreme detail how to format all the elements of a screenplay: dialogue, slug lines (scene designations), instructions or action description, parentheticals, and transitions. Copious examples of how to write into a screenplay the following: sound effects, flashbacks, phone conversations, car scenes, foreign languages, dreams, time-shifts, voiceovers, and much more. Also shows common MISTAKES in formatting that mark a script as the work of an amateur.
500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader: Writing the Screenplay the Reader Will Recommend
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Cuts to the chase!
  • Fast and easy...
  • A Great checklist for improving your screenplay
  • 500 Reasons You Should By This Book
  • Quick. Interesting. Informative
 500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader: Writing the Screenplay the Reader Will Recommend
Jennifer Lerch
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

ASIN: 0684856409

Amazon.com

So you want to write a movie! You could consult Robert McKee's influential Story, Syd Field's rather schematic Screenplay, which extrapolates lessons from famous films, or novelist-turned-screenwriter Meg Wolitzer's literate Fitzgerald Did It, inspired by her own experience.

But the script you pour your soul into won't be read by a single soul you've ever heard of. If a star or mogul reads anything about your story, it will be in the form of "coverage," a brief report reducing your screenplay to a one-sentence summary, with a very few pages of synopsis and ratings of your characters, dialogue, and plot. That report is written by a Hollywood reader, who is likely to be a smart woman desperate to find something she can recommend to her boss--someone like Jennifer Lerch. If her eyes glaze over, you're dead.

Your eyes won't glaze over reading Lerch's 500 brisk mini-lessons. How many pages can you turn in? Not over 120. How crucial are the first 30 pages? Utterly. How many big, climactic moments do you need in those 30 pages? Two. How many scenes do you need in the dramatic opening sequence? Three to five. How many parenthetical comments directly addressed to the reader can you include? One or two per script. How about your favorite passages, where you plumb your characters' inner depths? Throw them away: "If the character doesn't say it, wear it, or do it, delete it." How do pros write? "Staccato. Economical." That's how Lerch writes. And if you want to get anywhere in Hollywood, you'll have to please someone just like her. Know your enemy--and make her your best friend. --Tim Appelo

Book Description

If Your Screenplay Can't Get Past the Hollywood Reader, It Can't Get to Hollywood

This ultimate insider's guide to screenwriting is designed to get you past the fiercest gatekeepers in Hollywood: the Hollywood script readers. This small army of freelancers will be among the first to read and evaluate your script and then to recommend it -- or not -- to the studios, directors, and stars.

Designed for quick and easy access, these 500 points are a step-by-step recipe. They cannot guarantee success, but failure to follow them can almost certainly guarantee failure. Tips include:

* Get your foot in the door: 23 ways to make a good first impression on the Hollywood Reader

* Screen talk: why it is essential to write dialogue that looks good on the page

* Your goals in each act: how to make your story unputdownable from beginning to end

* Specific genre issues: writing a romance? a mystery? a thriller? Learn their special requirements and pitfalls

* The final scenes: how to go out with a bang that will wow the Hollywood Reader

* Still didn't get positive coverage? Inside info on what to do and how to do it

Written by an industry insider who has recommended scripts that have sold for as much as one million dollars, this is the only book to show you what the Hollywood Reader wants to see. Clear, smart, and completely authoritative, 500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader is by far the simplest, most practical book ever to hit the entertainment shelf.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Cuts to the chase!.......2006-03-23

I have bought this book 12 times as a gift for various friends who aspire to be screenwriters. This book is deceptively easy to read and at first glance, it's easy to dismiss the content as "phoned in". Once you begin reading the 500 suggestions, you begin to see the structure and form of "Drama" come through. I keep referring to this book over and over as I write because One writes to be read. What Jennifer Lerch accomplishes is the gentle reminder that screenplays are literary experiences before they are visual experiences. That in order to get produced, the screenplay must sell the story and create a reasonable expectation in the reader's mind of what the audience will experience once the film is made. I've read all the other screenplay books and taken the seminars and all that and this book is the one I keep around because it reveals more information the more times you read it and take it's lessons to heart.

4 out of 5 stars Fast and easy..........2006-01-27

As I surfed Amazon.com looking for good books to improve my craft, I came across this book and each time I saw it, I decided NOT to purchase it.

For some reason...it just seemed cheesy. Perhaps it's the cover or the title.

Well, now that I am ¾ finished my screenplay, I decided to come back to this book. And I must say...it isn't as what I thought it would be. Each one of the ways she listed it good information of what to look for within your screenplay to see if you've minimized any mistakes that would stand out to a Hollywood Reader.

The book is written in simplistic terms. It's fast and easy to read. Yet it packs a lot of good insider information that will assist even a novice of how to get their script read instead of flipped through.

I recommend this book as a secondary resource.

4 out of 5 stars A Great checklist for improving your screenplay.......2005-09-05

Many of the reviews I've read of this book I feel seem to be missing the point of this book. This is not the one and only book on screenwriting that anyone should read. Not even Robert McKee's "Story" or Chris Vogler's "The Writer's Journey" can claim to be that. There are books to teach you structure, books to teach you about format, and books to teach you about character and plot development. This book is none of the above.

I see this book more as a reference guide. The first 200 or so tips are for complete newbies who have never written a script in their life However, when you get to Part 2 of the book, which covers tips for Acts 1 through 3, that's the real meat of the book and the real reason to buy it.

While writing your screenplay or even while plotting your outline, read this book. It is no more and no less than a 500-point checklist of what you should and shouldn't be doing in your script.

Sure, some tips would make more sense if they were combined with others. And yes, some tips are reworded versions of previous tips, but that's what it took to reach the 500 number.

On the positive side, I have lost count of the number of times I have found a hole in my plot or realized that I could eliminate or scene or two without damaging my story thanks to one or more of the tips in this great book.

So, if you're reading it hoping it will explain the awe and mystery that is screenwriting, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you use it as a checklist, you should find it quite valuable. I know I did.

5 out of 5 stars 500 Reasons You Should By This Book.......2005-07-27

Forget the bad reviews; this book is a WINNER. It may not teach detailed structure or delve into the intricate process of creating a solid concept, but I don't think that's the point. IMHO, this is more of a book for *quick* starters, or intermediates / pros. Once you already know you have a good story and know the ins and outs of structure, read this book and it'll put you over the top. For one, it forces you realize that you are writing for an audience, who is expecting to see certain things. In this respect, Lerch's perspective is invaluable. After reading Rob McKee's Story, Trottier's Screenwriting Bible and also books by Seger and more, I think that this book's exploration of 'Act Goals' is a superb resource that I haven't seen anywhere else. I imagine that I'll constantly refer back to these gems as I write. To sum it up, DO NOT PASS this book. The best $12 I've spent all year.

5 out of 5 stars Quick. Interesting. Informative.......2005-06-02

I enjoyed this book. I am not much of a reader (of literature and stuff) but I have read quite a few screenplay books. This seems to have all the right info (i.e. brevity and purposeful details only). But I felt I learned a few new things too. I agree that this isn't the only book to read. Writing the Picture is the closet I have come to finding that. But this is an important one for new screenwriters to read.
Write Screenplays That Sell: The Ackerman Way
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Book. Explain's alot about screenwriting with perfect simplicity
  • cool beans
  • Very Complete. Touches on All Aspects
  • Write Screenplays That Sell: The Ackerman Way
  • Hal Ackerman - Nice guy, great instructor
 Write Screenplays That Sell: The Ackerman Way
Hal Ackerman
Manufacturer: Tallfellow Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Direction & ProductionDirection & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1931290520

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Book. Explain's alot about screenwriting with perfect simplicity.......2007-08-23

Very easy to understand. Explains a ton about screenwriting without getting fancy or trying to fool you. Might want to brush up on the Godfather trilogy before you read the book; he uses that particular movie for alot of examples.
It is a joy to read. Ackerman has a great sense of humor.

5 out of 5 stars cool beans.......2007-04-05

This is a well-written and well-thought out book. It gets to the nuts and bolts of screenwriting without 500 pages of nonsensical theory.


-- Lee Rudnicki, Esq.

5 out of 5 stars Very Complete. Touches on All Aspects.......2007-02-10

I loved this book. It provided everything I needed to know about WRITING a screenplay. It does not focus on form, selling, query letters, producers, etc. It focuses solely on WRITING a screenplay, structuring a screenplay may be more accurate. Without a proper structure, you have nothing. No query letter in the world will be able to sell a poor idea. This book walks you through structuring that good idea.

The index method is one of the best. It allowed me to focus my thoughts. I highly recommend this book to anyone considering writing a screenplay!

1 out of 5 stars Write Screenplays That Sell: The Ackerman Way.......2007-01-10

I bought this book I never received it to this date.

Please chase the seller for me

5 out of 5 stars Hal Ackerman - Nice guy, great instructor.......2007-01-04

A well conceived and thought out book on the basics of screenwriting. The writing exercises are excellent and the many questions posed are thought provoking. Haven't tried his sceno-gram yet, but that's next on my list of things to do. Well written and easy to read.
Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434: The Industry's Premier Teacher Reveals the Secrets of the Successful Screenplay
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • One of the best books for writers, screenwriters and filmmakers alike
  • Lew takes you to the next level.
  • inspiring
  • Best Bet for anyone wanting to write screenplays
  • A must for budding screenwriters
 Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434: The Industry's Premier Teacher Reveals the Secrets of the Successful Screenplay
Lew Hunter
Manufacturer: Perigee Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0399529861
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Book Description

For decades, Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434 class at UCLA has been the premier screenwriting course, launching a generation of the industry's most frequently produced writers. Here, he shares the secrets of his course on the screenwriting process by actually writing an original script, step by step, that appears in the book.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of the best books for writers, screenwriters and filmmakers alike.......2007-01-13

In the process of getting my MFA in Creative Writing, I picked up many books to learn more about becoming a professional writer. Lew Hunter's Screenwritiing 434 was one of most interest, due to my evergrowing desire to break into the screenwriting business once I finish my degree. I finished it immediately and wasn't able to put it down.

Many might sratch their head and think, "what does a small-town Nebraskan know about screenwriting?" The answer is, "A HECK of a lot." Hunter has been a screenwriting professor at UCLA since 1979 and before that worked as a writer for television shows such as "Batman" and "Bewitched." He knows the business and has been a creative consultant for many writers working in the business today. Many of his alumni are prominent screenwriters today, such as David Koepp, Joel Schmacher and Alexander Payne. Steven Spielberg has claimed that Hunter is the best screenwriting teacher going. Pretty good evidence of his skill and knowledge, don't you think?

Hunter writes in a way that encourages, but at the same time is realistic. He wants people reading the book to open their mind and follow what they want. He also wants to make sure they know the do's and don'ts of the business. He gives excellent examples and explanations of what to do. Basically, he tells people that besides following a few certain groundrules, there is no one right or wrong way to write. A little bit of creativity, imagination and dedication will get the writer further than they ever thought possible.

I also went to one of Lew Hunters screenwriting colonies in Superior, Nebraska and must say that I have never had as great of an experience as that. So comfortable, peaceful, helpful, essential and enjoyable. Kind of like this book. Pick it up today.

5 out of 5 stars Lew takes you to the next level........2007-01-12

This book is especially good for those who know some screenwriting basics. Lew offers great examples and probes the writer into digging deeper and not taking the cliche' route. If you write, you should read this book. In fact, directors, editors, actors, cinematographers, etc. should also read it.

5 out of 5 stars inspiring.......2005-10-24

Lew's book not only provided time-earned experience and wisdom but was filled with interesting information only an insider could share.

5 out of 5 stars Best Bet for anyone wanting to write screenplays.......2005-02-28

As a writing teacher I had access to as many free books on screenplays and writing in general as I'd ever want. I went over the samples carefully,because I'd be married to the book(s) I'd selected for courses for a long time. Screenwriting 434 rose above them all. I taught with it course after course. Why? Lew's book is an inspiration to writers. It includes everything you need to know, along with a sample screenplay that makes many students believe you they can do better. If you've ever read ON BECOMING A NOVELIST you know what it's like to read a writing book that makes you feel you'd never be able to please the author. Lew just makes you want to get out there and do it, and he takes you by the hand and shows what needs to be done. There is no other book like it. I've noticed many negative reviews on this book by "a reader". Lew is a teacher and I suspect from the simliar sound of the negative reviews that he may have annoyed some "one." Don't let that stop you from at least looking at this wonderful guide. An argument that someone does not like a sample "story" has nothing at all to do with a writing book's teaching ability. And picking on a screenplay that actually got made is stupidity! Everyone can learn from a screenplay that sold and that students can actually watch. My students used this book for both fiction writing and screenplays, and they've had success in both areas.

5 out of 5 stars A must for budding screenwriters.......2004-09-24

I have now read several books on screenwriting. Most were good. This book is a MUST. If you just read one (but you better read many) this is THE one to read. I won't go into detail about the book--just read it.
Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Tools for Mastering of the Craft
  • Theory blends with applied instruction
  • Highly Recommended!!!!!
  • The definitive book on screenwriting!
  • The Holy Grail Of Screenwriting Advice
 Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting
Jeff Kitchen
Manufacturer: Billboard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0823069788
Release Date: 2006-10-01

Book Description

•State of the art screenwriting theory and technique from a master
•Author named one of today's top screenwriting teachers in Creative Screenwriting magazine

Lets cut to the chase. Writing a Great Movie is a practical nuts-and-bolts manual to dramatic writing for film.This hands-on course in screenwriting shows how to create, develop, and construct an original screenplay from scratch using seven essential tools for the screenwriter—(1) Dilemma, Crisis, Decision and Action, and Resolution; (2) Theme; (3) the 36 Dramatic Situations; (4) the Enneagram; (5) Research and Brainstorming; (6) the Central Proposition; and (7) Sequence, Proposition, and Plot—which break the writing process down into approachable steps and produce great results. Jeff Kitchen shares the insider secrets he has developed over years of writing and teaching. Writing a Great Movieis the complete guide to creating compelling screenplays that will sell.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Tools for Mastering of the Craft.......2007-09-25

Screenwriters who buy and read Jeff's book will, I suspect, find themselves returning more and more frequently as they master their craft and create great movies. It certainly has been happening to me. "Writing a Great Movie:..." forces you to ask the right questions. Is there any other way to come up with the right answers?

Not for the faint of heart. You will get grease on your pride and bruises on your ego using these tools, but the outcome is pages, scenes, sequences, acts and stories that work. I can't imagine trying to tell a story without referring to Joseph Campbell (and Chris Vogler) and I can't imagine trying to craft a screenplay without referring to Jeff Kitchen.

5 out of 5 stars Theory blends with applied instruction.......2007-05-12

Theory blends with applied instruction in WRITING A GREAT MOVIE, which offers a manual of tools for aspiring screenwriters. From learning how to set theme and understanding basic dramatic situations to working up demo plots and understanding when to stop, WRITING A GREAT MOVIE moves from basics to advanced techniques and will find a home on the shelf of any serious 'how to' library.

5 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!!!!!.......2007-03-14

I bought this book after watching Kitchen's Sequence, Proposition, Plot on dvd.

This is one of the most useful screenwriting books I have read yet. I am the type of writer that likes to plan everything out before I start scripting, and that is the basic approach of this book.

However, even if you have already finished your script or like to begin by just diving into the writing this book is still extremely useful for later development and rewrites.

Kitchen's techniques of Dilema, Crisis, Decision & Action and Sequence, Propostion, Plot are designed to help you create a most dramatically tight and seamlessly plotted screenplay.

Kitchen's unique approach to the 36 Dramatic Situations is alone worth the price of the book.

Valuable tools for your writing toolbox!

5 out of 5 stars The definitive book on screenwriting!.......2007-03-08

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Jeff Kitchen's book is the one book that anyone who's serious about screenwritng must have. He cvers in detail rarely dealt with yet very necessary aspects of and methods for writing films that are either totally ignored and skimmed over by other screenwriting books. It's an indispenable tool for serious screenwriters who are looking to improve the quality of their work and raise it to a higher level

5 out of 5 stars The Holy Grail Of Screenwriting Advice.......2007-03-05

Look no further, Jeff Kitchen's book is the gold standard for building a a screenplay. I've read dozens of books on the craft, and this is the only one that leads you through the dirty work of building your story piece by piece.
Jeff's tools help you transform your tale into a compelling drama.
As a reader, you will feel like you're looking over Jeff's shoulder as he lays the bricks of a pyramid from the ground up.
I've been applying the tools to a script I previously completed. The DILEMMA tool really helped me get a handle on some weak spots regarding my main character. And the Sequence, Proposition, Plot tool blew me out of the water.
I also plan to use "Writing a Great Movie" to build other story ideas I've been working on. Jeff offers all the ingredients needed to cook up an original and memorable story.
But you still have to add the spices, brew the potion to just the right temperature and serve it to an audience hungry for a film that will "rock their world."
Jeff's book will help you do that. Too bad I could only give it five stars. It deserves at least ten.

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