The Calling Card Script: A Writer's Toolbox for Screen, Stage and Radio

by Paul Ashton

The calling card script is the script that expresses your voice, gets you noticed and helps you reach commission and production. Written by Paul Ashton, Development Manager of the BBC writersroom, and born out of his wide experience of reading scripts, working with writers, and as an industry 'gatekeeper', this is a guide to the key writing tools you need to know and understand to write a truly original script.

As many professionals need to switch mediums and genres in order to survive and thrive, the book uniquely draws together the universal principles of dramatic storytelling for screen, stage, and radio. With a focus on the script as a blue print for performance, sections and chapters break down into bite-sized practical insights and the book mirrors both the journey of the story and process of writing it.

The Calling Card Script shows how to tell a great story in script form and offers valuable professional development insight for all writers, whether established or just starting out, who wish to hone their craft and speak their voice.

Genres: Writing

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2011

Reviews

[J. Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun overview of writing for different media and genre. Ashton takes great care to explain the differences between movies, tv, stage, and radio writing, as well as the challenges and opportunities for each. He also provides multiple examples from relatively recent series, films, etc., in order to illustrate his points. It was a helpful book.

With that said, I wish he would have included some material on things like formatting, staging considerations, and the like. It would have helped newbie writers who are trying to make that special script that will get them noticed.

[Dan Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful. Well structured, succinct and knowledgeable without ever being condescending.

[Elliot Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great read, truly inspiring. Firstly it's not a book about how to format and structure a script, it's not about the ins and outs of screenwriting, or how to fix a rubbish script, writing loglines or treatments, or pitching.

Instead it's the questions one needs to ask themselves before writing the script. It's all the thinking that goes into the preparation side of writing before you start with FADE IN. I use this when I've blocked out a story so I can think more deeply about my characters. The questions and examples it cites throughout are really helpful prompts and I for one am grateful for this book.