Break Into Screenwriting

by Raymond G. Frensham

For budding screenwriters, this is their go-to, comprehensive, jargon-free guide"Break Into Screenwriting"'s aim is not just to guide you through the techniques and skills they need to write for the screen (film and television), but also to give them guidance on how to approach the industry as a whole. Focusing on every aspect of screenwriting, from how to set about the writing process to how to develop one's characters, plot and structure, this book will give budding screenwriters all the guidance they need to break into this highly competitive industry and make careers for themselves as screenwriters.One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.Extra online articles at teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of screenwriting.Includes a foreword by Andrew Davies, screenwriter of "Pride and Prejudice," "Little Dorrit," and "Bridget Jones's Diary."Fully updated to include discussion of the most recent films and developments in this fast-moving industry.

Topics include:
Acknowledgements; introduction; screenplay layout: your visual language; originating your ideas; developing your ideas: from idea to framework; creating your characters; character growth, motivation and conflict; structure; structural variations; 'deep structure'; enhancing emotion; the next step; the actual writing; the craft of the rewrite; the 'finished' item; assembling your portfolio; copyright; agents: what they do, how to get and keep one; adaptations, shorts, soaps, series, sitcoms and collaborations; the industry: how it works and your place in it; your career as a writer; final comments; appendices

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2010

Reviews

[Collin · Rating 3 out of 5]

the epic highs:

“All characters (just like people) have this hole right through their middle and all of them are desperately trying to hide it and live with it.”

and the epic lows:

"Will Annakin [sic] Skywalker and Princess [sic] Amadalla [sic] finally get together [sick]?"

sorry Attack Of the Clones wasn't a movie about Amish murders, but the least you could do is look at a press release or cast list for spelling.

[Mark Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. A good summary of most of the current approaches. Clear. Good examples and stories. Excellent sample documents.

[Ian Hiett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay for foundational knowledge of the skill, but sorely outdated. I don't know that all the resources on Myspace would still be useful. That said, if the author wrote a modern version for the streaming era, I'd mark it want-to-read.

[Y Diên Vĩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Đừng bao giờ để phần kết trượt khỏi tay nhân vật trung tâm, hãy dồn nhân vật trung tâm vào bước đường cùng’

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A self explanatory book. Exasperated by how much one has to think about, when considering writing a screen play.

Clearly laid out plans of action and an informative delivery of ' How to's and ' Do's and Don'ts '.

Easy to read and apply, and for those who are ready to take the next step in their chart for success in the world of TV writing.

A must read for those who are serious about screen writing. Intelligently written and a useful book to have at every planned stage.

Go get it...Budding writers of the Silver Screen....

Regards.

Petula Hippolyte