Screenwriting

Screenwriting		The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller John Truby Henry Holt, 2009 $34.00 pb John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood's most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares all his secrets for writing a compelling script. Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby's own unique approach to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.
Screenwriting		How to Write For Television Madeline Dimaggio Fireside, 2009 (re-issue) $19.95 pb In this guide for every student of the small screen and every scriptwriter dreaming of breaking into the business, writer-producer Madeline DiMaggio hands you the tools of the trade. With dozens of examples from today's hit shows, as well as perennial classics, DiMaggio walks readers through the scriptwriting process, from learning how to watch TV like a writer to developing your script, pitching it, and eventually sealing the deal. DiMaggio answers the questions on every aspiring television writer's mind, with chapters on: · The tools of scriptwriting · Hooks that sell · Creating the pilot · Developing the episode, step by step · How to create riveting characters · Writing long form and cable movies · Adaptations and collaborations · Marketing your script
Screenwriting		How to Write for Television: a guide to writing and selling successful TV scripts William Smethurst 6^th ed., How To Books, 2009 $27.95 pb Television is a growth industry with an insatiable hunger for writing talent. Soaps, series dramas, plays, situation comedies - television constantly needs new writers. This inspiring book is full of professional tips and techniques that producers, agents and script editors would give you themselves - if only they had the time. Complete with vital information on how to sell your writing - and how much you can earn. Packed with tips for writing and selling.
Screenwriting		Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc Dara Marks A&C Black, 2009 $39.99pb Inside Story offers the most important advancement in screenwriting theory to come along in years. Dara Marks's innovative method for structuring a screenplay is designed to keep writers focused on the heart and soul of their story so that plot, character and theme create a unified whole. This approach offers an easy to follow template for story construction, helping the writer to identify what the story is actually about: the thematic intention. It then uses the internal character development of the protagonist as a vehicle to drive the thematic intention and the line of action within the story.
Screenwriting		Raindance Writers’ Lab: Write & Sell the Hot Screenplay Elliot Grove 2^nd ed., Focal Press, 2008 $48.95 pb This is a straightforward, practical, no-nonsense guide to scriptwriting - The Raindance Writers' Lab guides you through the tools that enable you to execute a strong treatment for a feature and be well on the way to the first draft of your script. Written by the creator of the Raindance Film Festival himself, Elliot Grove uses a hands-on approach to screenwriting based on his many years of experience teaching the subject for Raindance training. He uses step-by-step processes illustrated with diagrams and charts to lend a visual structure to the teaching. Techniques are related to real-life examples throughout, from low budget to blockbuster films. The Companion Website contains interviews with British writers and directors as well as a handy series of legal contracts, video clips and writing exercises. In this 2nd edition, Grove expands on his story structure theory, as well as how to write for the internet and short films.
Screenwriting		The Screenplay: Authorship, Theory and Criticism Steven Price Palgrave Macmillan, 2010 $48.00 pb After a century of neglect, the screenplay is finally being recognised as a form that deserves serious critical attention in both film and literary studies. This book is the first to combine detailed study of the theory and practice of screenwriting with new approaches to the critical analysis of the form, structure and dialogue of the screenplay text. Authorship, adaptation, the process of script development and publication are all considered in depth. Individual screenplays receiving extensive and original analysis include The Birds, The Usual Suspects, Adaptation and Sunset Boulevard. Combining the insights of film and literary theory with a clear and accessible style, this landmark study will appeal to writers, students of film and literature, and anyone interested in the creative potential of screenwriting.
Screenwriting		Tales From the Script: 50 Hollywood Screenwriters Share Their Stories Peter Hanson Harper Collins, 2010 $24.99 pb Discover the secrets of Hollywood storytelling in this fascinating collection, in which fifty screenwriters share the inside scoop about how they surmounted incredible odds to break into the business, how they transformed their ideas into box-office blockbusters, how their words helped launch the careers of major stars, and how they earned accolades and Academy Awards. Entertaining, informative, and sometimes startling, Tales from the Script features exclusive interviews with film's top wordsmiths, including John Carpenter (Halloween), Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia), John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and David Hayter (Watchmen).
Screenwriting		Writing Dialogue for Scripts: Effective Dialogue for Film, Radio, TV and Stage Rib Davis A&C Black, 2008 $35.00 pb Writing Dialogue for Scripts provides expert insight into how dialogue works. It shows what to look out for in everyday speech, and how to apply dialogue in scripts for dramatic effect. Writers learn, on the whole by trial, error and practice, and this book will help guide them on their journey. A highly practical guide, the book includes much analysis and many examples of scripted dialogue from across different media: from Pulp Fiction to Goodfellas, The English Patient and The Constant Gardner, playwrights Arthur Miller, Caryl Churchill, Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett, Alan Ayckbourn to name just a few, as well as documentaries, TV and radio shows. Chapters deal with how conversation works, naturalistic and stylised dialogue, pace and variation, scripted narration, comic dialogue and presentation.
Screenwriting		Writing Movies: a practical guide to creating stellar screenplays Gotham Writers’ Workshop A&C Black, 2008 $32.95 pb From America's leading creative writing school, the ultimate book on screenwriting. To break into the screenwriting game you need a screenplay that is not just good, but great. In Writing Movies you'll find everything you need to know to reach this level. And like the very best teachers, Writing Movies is always practical accessible and entertaining. Inside you'll find: Explanations of the fundamentals of the screenwriting craft (plot, character, scenes etc). Insight into crucial (but seldom discussed) topics such as description, voice, tone and theme.
Screenwriting		Writing Short Film Scripts: A Student Guide Paul Kooperman Insight Publications, 2009 $19.95 pb An invaluable practical resource for media, drama and English teachers and students. Written by a former secondary drama teacher who is now a professional screenwriter and lecturer in writing screenplays.