ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 3 months ago - jacqueline kirwan

Thank you ;)

Will definitely check them out, as there's tonnes of books but more concerned with learning the basic structure etc, then break them!

Cheers

10 years, 3 months ago - jacqueline kirwan

Thank you all for your responses and will definitely check out the suggestions-I'm just going to get cracking and read along the way so I don't get side tracked.

Once again thank you ;)

10 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

There are a couple of classic books you can read 'save the cat' and 'Writing movies for (-fun and-) profit'. Look for them in the library or you can easily find secondhand copies.

Writing Movies... is largely about the ecosystem surrounding getting scripts sold in Hollywood, but does have some occasional gems from guys whose scripts have done $8,000,000,000 at the box office. Each case is different, but something might apply.

'Save the Cat' is a misunderstood book, and widely hated by writers. Some people (alas, including the people you're trying to sell your script to) take it as a bible for timing and pace and overall. It's a guy who did a survey of popular scripts, pulled out the common factors, and wrote a book about it. Read it as that, and not a template of 'must-hit' elements, and it's very interesting. Write to it if you like, it may limit you in some ways but at least it means all the 'readers' (who act as gatekeepers to the real buyers) won't discount your script for not fitting! Yes, rules are there for breaking, but it's easier to break the rules after proving you understand them :)

10 years, 3 months ago - Abid Khan

There are so many courses and so many books about structure and they give you safe middle-of-the-road advice and if you follow them that's where you'll be - middle-of-the-road and safe. Avoid the books pass your script to a few friends writers and non-writers and let them give you feedback - you'll figure out what works and doesn't work for your story. Don't fall into the trap of believing your script won't be a success unless you adopt a certain safe formula structure.

10 years, 3 months ago - Mark Owen

Hi Jacqueline.
I have a few books on screenwriting, but I find this one to be the one I keep picking up more and more ...

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/919115.Teach_Yourself_Screenwriting#other_reviews

Teach Yourself: Screenwriting

It has a whole chunk on structure and should hopefully serve you well.

Best,
Mark

10 years, 3 months ago - Natasha Berger

Hi Jacqueline - one of the best books on screenwriting I've read is Alexander MacKendrick's classic On Filmmaking. Though it was written with directors in mind the chapters on writing go into great and useful depth on character, concept, structure, tone etc. More than you'll often find in the more flash writing books.

Short courses are also a great idea because they'll introduce you to people at your level and help you develop some trusted readers. As a bonus (and unlike the full time programmes), they are often taught by working pro's who can give you some basic contacts in the industry. Most of the art and film schools offer good ones, just pick the most appealing ones you can afford.

Natasha

10 years, 3 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

If you are looking for a course that can teach you structure, character, plot etc and 'can' open doors to you in Hollywood, try www.screenwritingU.com. They are based in California but only do online courses. Highly popular and a lot of the people coming out of the other end are now writing professionally. It's hard work but wont break the bank.

Wozy

10 years, 3 months ago - Charles Harris

Hi Jacqueline

I agree with Natasha on Sandy MacKendrick's book, excellent, and Mark mentions Ray Frensham's book which is definitely worth a look. I have an extensive list of books I've personally found useful with brief - one sentence - reviews on my site at http://www.charles-harris.co.uk/best-screenwriting-books/

Putting modesty aside for a moment I'd like to suggest you check out my book, which is in fact the updating of Ray's and covers both mainstream and indie, film and TV, non-American as well as Hollywood - Teach Yourself: Complete Screenwriting Course - htpp://www.completescreenwritingcourse.com Reviews (I immodestly say) have been excellent.

And finally the organisation I help direct, Euroscript. Our courses are deliberately designed to be accessible and affordable, run by (and the courses taught by) people who work in the industry. http://www.euroscript.co.uk

10 years, 3 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Hi Jacqueline, I just wanted to double down on Sandy's (Alexander MacKendrick) book. He was my directing instructor when I attended California Institute of the Arts. Every week we'd get a pile of hand-outs that Paul Cronin boiled down to a book. And he did a really good job of it.

Why not let some people read your script? At this stage, friends and family is fine. It can be invaluable. I know I have written a successful script when everybody hates something different. If 12 people point out the same problems, then you know you have to fix that.