The New Screenwriter's Survival Guide; Or, Guerrilla Meeting Tactics and Other Acts of War

by Max Adams

Are you looking for the secret decoder ring owned by all successful screenwriters? Or at least a map with a spot marked X? Sit down with Max Adams.

The Screenwriter’s Survival Guide delivers 65 chapters ranging from “Don’t Write Batman” to “What You Really Get Paid.” Other topics include pitching, the screenwriter’s uniform, meetings, the etiquette of “getting read,” navigating social media, and the care and feeding of agents – along with lists of screenwriters’ directories and organizations, a generic release form, examples for cover pages and query letters, and other useful resources.

Adams’s authority is unmistakable. After scooping up the prizes at a number of prestigious screenwriting contests including the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and the Austin Film Festival, Adams launched her Hollywood career with a big spec script sale (Excess Baggage). The book shines with Adams’s streetwise attitude. She shares her worst Hollywood memories — the cold calls to producers, the credit arbitrations, and the meetings, meetings, meetings — as well as her victories. Max Adams has the inside story on the writer’s life in Hollywood. Now, you will too.

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction

423 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

Max Adams is an author and award winning screenwriter. She has written professionally for Columbia Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, and Tri-Star Pictures. She has lectured and taught at University of Southern California, Squaw Valley Community of Writers, Film Arts Foundation, New York Film Academy, Gotham Writers, University of Utah, and the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences. She is a former Writers Guild of America online screenwriting mentor, is the founder of two international online screenwriting workshops, The Left Door and 5150, is the author of The New Screenwriter’s Survival Guide; Or, Guerrilla Meeting Tactics and Other Acts of War, is a University of Utah associate professor and is the founder of the The Academy of Film Writing. Her produced feature film projects include Excess Baggage, The Ladykillers, and One For the Money.

Reviews

[Doug Solter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-have guide for any screenwriter who wants to run the Hollywood gauntlet to get their script sold. This book gives you the tools to help build a lasting writing career with indispensable insider information about Pitching, Meetings, Networking, Agents, Producers, Critique groups, Potential traps...you name it and it's all in this book. Max Adams' humor and wit are on every page with the attitude of a Hollywood veteran giving out priceless advice. I switched from Screenwriting to Novel writing a couple years ago, but after reading this book, I feel like I'm back in the trenches again, feverishly trying to finish another script draft before the deadline to the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.

[Debi Yazbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Screenwriter's Survival Guide is crushingly, refreshingly honest. It brings a chuckle and a cringe in the same sentence and never fails to entertain. The insight into what the movie world is really like is a bit frightening but appreciated (when I make it there, maybe I won't be a complete moron, sigh).
Max is an amazing teacher (I am completely qualified to say that after eight classes with her), and she upholds that reputation in The New Screenwriter's Survival Guide. She tells it as it is. This is information worth retaining.

[James Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Max published the original Screenwriter's Survivsl Guide I thought it was a shame that it wasn't around before I went to Hollywood. I'm not saying it would have left a trail of breadcrumbs leading to success but I am saying that there were several mistakes that might have been avoided. The new version is even better because the quick witted Max is a quick learner and not afraid to say what she learned and how she learned it. She is also a funny writer and an extremely clear one.
If you are a writer who thinks he belongs in Hollywood read this book first. It may save you. Better, it may even save your new born screenplay from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Adams' "The New Screenwriter's Survival Guide" is a fun, breezy, hard finger-flick to the forehead for the Hollywood uninitiated. It's an education cover to cover of unwritten screenwriter etiquette regarding scripts, managers, producers, and agents. Its conversational tone and hard knocks stories make for a memorable experience. Other guides cover the basics, but Max gives the reader the benefit of her experience -- things she would have never done had someone had thought to write a Screenwriter's Survival Guide when she was starting out. Well-worth the money.

[Dijana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read for the aspiring and seasoned screenwriters alike or total newcomers to the game. Max Adams delivers an informative guide of hows, whys and do's and don't's for all concerned. Funny at times (at the author's own expense), The Survival Guide arms the reader with know how and 'tools' of the trade.
Even if you're not serious about your writing and do not want to become a screenwriter, this book will change your perception about reading.

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This update is long-awaited and exactly what you need if you're going after a screenwriting career. Screenwriting isn't just about writing. It's about meetings, relationships, and navigating the Hollywood scene without getting swallowed up by it.

Nobody addresses these issues with the knowledge and wisdom of Max Adams. Buy this book. Read this book. Absorb its wisdom.

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book you need if you want to be a screenwriter. Max Adams doesn't stick to the basics. She gives you info you never thought to ask, whether it's what to wear to meetings (and the message you send with your clothes) or how to pitch. This should be in every screenwriting library.

[Stacy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my go-to book for navigating hollywood. it shares everything you need to know to land a deal from a perspective you can only get from having a seat at the table. hilarious, insightful, honest.

[Angelia Almos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice and tips. Written in an easily understood manner. Once you're ready to start selling that spec screenplay be sure to read this book.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The how to, must-have book on conquering Hollywood mayhem. Max Adams knows her stuff!

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I havent seen any of her movies, but this is a very nice guide to what it must be like to be a working screenwriter. There is a lot of advice about the business side of things. How to deal with agents, producers, and contracts. How to sell your scripts and get recognized. (Excuse me, I couldnt resist the urge to write like Ms. Adams there for a minute. She regularly writes in blunt fragments. Does it all the time. And what does she also use? Question marks that pop up conversationally? Yup.) Adams goes over a lot of things, and gives straight from the shoulder advice on how to swim around the rocks and avoid the sharks.

Her advice on writing is less priceless, and one cannot help but wonder if her screenplays perhaps have not been selling as well as they once did. If they were, why would she need to write this book? But that is just show biz bitchiness. She she won a couple of major contests, sold scripts, and saw at least some of her work reach the silver screen. This is a good book, and I would call it a must-read for someone planning to move to Tinseltown and really give screenwriting a serious go.

[James Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Adams did the job, before deciding to teach it. She's worked for half a dozen film studios, written films (including Excess Baggage), taught, lectured, tamed lions (or beginning screenwriters, at least), etc.. She knows whereof she speaks.

This isn't about how to write book. It's about how to make a career as a screenwriter. Although all the major issues of scripts are covered, the focus is on the career: meetings, sales, taxes and death.

Every screenwriter can benefit from this book, working or struggling. Or both. If you're going to try then you should at least learn from the experiences of one who's been there. Max has and is very good at explaining what she learned, in her smart-assy way.

[Eugene Caputi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little glib but useful to read

[Gwenda Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is one of the smartest people out there, and I'd recommend this book to anyone who's considering the business of screenwriting. No nonsense, just smarts.

[Karen Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Max. Met her at a seminar for the Utah Screenwriter's Project. Lots of good advice, written in her speaking style, so a little difficult to read - but well worth it.

[Brandon Clutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best resource for screenwriters. I highly recommend this book be read before submitting to agencies and producers.