Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay, Updated and Expanded edition

Author: Andrew Horton
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 9780520924178
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 260

Book Description
"We need good screenwriters who understand character." Everywhere Andrew Horton traveled in researching this book—from Hollywood to Hungary—he heard the same refrain. Yet most of the standard how-to books on screenwriting follow the film industry's earlier lead in focusing almost exclusively on plot and formulaic structures. With this book, Horton, a film scholar and successful screenwriter, provides the definitive work on the character-based screenplay. Exceptionally wide-ranging—covering American, international, mainstream, and "off-Hollywood" films, as well as television—the book offers creative strategies and essential practical information. Horton begins by placing screenwriting in the context of the storytelling tradition, arguing through literary and cultural analysis that all great stories revolve around a strong central character. He then suggests specific techniques and concepts to help any writer—whether new or experienced—build more vivid characters and screenplays. Centering his discussion around four film examples—including Thelma & Louise and The Silence of the Lambs—and the television series, Northern Exposure, he takes the reader step-by-step through the screenwriting process, starting with the development of multi-dimensional characters and continuing through to rewrite. Finally, he includes a wealth of information about contests, fellowships, and film festivals. Espousing a new, character-based approach to screenwriting, this engaging, insightful work will prove an essential guide to all of those involved in the writing and development of film scripts.

Screenwriting Updated

Author: Linda Aronson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781879505599
Category : Motion picture authorship
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Today's screenwriter must be adept at today's popular yet often complex and unconventional script forms, such as the parallel storytelling of 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Magnolia', the multiple protagonist narrative of 'American Beauty', and the complex flashback forms of 'The Usual Suspects' and 'The Sweet Hereafter'. Becoming comfortable with and skilled in such modern script forms is the focus of this text which identifies basic parallel structures, clearly explains how and why they work (or fail to work), and establishes the basic principles of their construction. These modern forms are presented in tandem with and in relation to tried-and-true, traditional screenwriting forms, rendering unconventional structures as easily grasped as conventional ones. Unlike any other screenwriting book, this book combines solid, basic screenwriting craft with a thorough presentation of very contemporary script structures. The result is a unique, wide-ranging, in-depth screenwriting text and do-it-yourself script-doctoring manual suitable for both seasoned and novice writers.

Screenplay

Author: Syd Field
Publisher: M J F Books
ISBN: 9781567312393
Category : Motion picture authorship
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Providing examples from well-known movies, Field explains the structural and stylistic elements as well as writing techniques basic to the creation of a successful film script.

Save the Cat!

Author: Blake Snyder
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781615931712
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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!

Scriptwriting Updated

Author: Linda Aronson
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781876351038
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 324

Book Description
A practical and up to date guide to scriptwriting.

Now Write! Screenwriting

Author: Sherry Ellis
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1101486074
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 319

Book Description
An essential handbook featuring never-before-published writing exercises from the acclaimed screenwriters of Raging Bull, Ali, Terminator 2, Fame, Groundhog Day, Cape Fear, "Lost", "True Blood", "The Shield", and many other hit films and television shows. Now Write! Screenwriting-the latest addition to the Now Write! writing guide series-brings together the acclaimed screenwriters of films like the Oscar-winning Raging Bull, Oscar- nominated Ali, era-defining blockbuster Terminator 2, musical classic Fame, hit series "Lost" "True Blood" and "The Shield," Groundhog Day, Cape Fear, Chicken Run, Reversal of Fortune, Before Sunrise, Mystic Pizza, Indecent Proposal, and many more, to teach the art of the story. *Learn about why it is sometimes best to write what you don't know from Christina Kim ('Lost') *Find out how Stephen Rivele (Ali, Nixon) reduces his screenplay ideas down to their most basic elements, and uses that as a writing guide *Learn why you should focus on your character, not your plot, when digging yourself out of a plot home from Danny Rubin (Groundhog Day) *Take tips from Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, The Spiderwick Chronicles) on how to give an inanimate object intense emotional significance *Let Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset) teach you how to stop your internal critic dead in his tracks This lively and easy-to-read guide will motivate both aspiring and experienced screenwriters. No other screenwriting book offers advice and exercises from this many writers of successful, iconic films.

Screenwriting For Dummies

Author: Laura Schellhardt
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118052625
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 368

Book 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

The Screenwriter's Bible

Author: David Trottier
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781879505445
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 330

Book Description
One of the most popular and useful books on screenwriting, now greatly expanded and completely updated. This edition includes a list of resources and contains approximately 100 new entries.

The Complete Book of Scriptwriting

Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 296

Book Description
To survive and thrive in the fantasyland that is show business, you need to know the realities of writing and selling. J. Michael Straczynski learned these realities the hard way. With his help, you'll learn them the easy way. Here the writer/producer of Murder, She Wrote and creator of Babylon 5 tells you how it really is - and how you can really succeed writing scripts. Straczynski shows you the importance of distinguishing yourself, through professionalism and discipline, from the wannabes. He helps you strengthen your writing technique while urging you to bring your own vision to your work, avoid formula, and create from passion. And he takes you in for a close look at every entertainment medium hungry for good scriptwriters.

Screenplay

Author: Robin U. Russin
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781879505704
Category : Motion picture authorship
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
This is a complete screenwriting course -- from developing a theme, researching a story, plotting and structuring a script, developing characters, and plying methods that aid the actual writing and rewriting processes to understanding the ins and outs of marketing and pitching scripts. Well-written, comprehensive, and filled with illustrative screenplay examples, both innovative and tried-and-true writing techniques, sage advice from veteran writers, and pertinent writing anecdotes, this one-of-a-kind screenwriting book will help both novices and working screenwriters to improve and sell their scripts.