Successful Scriptwriting: How to write and pitch winning scripts for movies, sitcoms, soaps, serials and variety shows

by Jürgen Wolff, Kerry Cox

SUCCESSFUL SCRIPTWRITINGLet's start with "The End." The credits roll - we see "Screenplay by " and there's your name. The show's a hit! It's Emmy/Oscar night, and you're seated up front. The nominations are revealed; your name is called. Your acceptance speech is memorable, an inspiration to the new writers "breaking in." Variety says your "future looks very bright." Hooray for Hollywood! But how did you get here?

With talent, determination, and the help of this comprehensive guide, you'll have the wherewithal to move your dream from your mind onto the page and to succeed in this fiercely competitive, highly selective field.

Starting with a basic course in scriptwriting, Jurgen Wolff and Kerry Cox teach you the fundamental skills of writing the feature film script, from original idea to finished screenplay. Then you'll learn how to apply your new-found skills to every type of television and film movies-of-the week, episodic television, situation comedies and soap operas.

You'll also find helpful insight from the greats in the business, like Colin Higgins (Harold and Maude, Foul Play, 9 to 5), Larry Gelbart (Oh, God!, Tootsie, "M*A*S*H"), William Bickley ("Perfect Strangers," "Happy Days"), and Steven Bochco ("Doogie Howser, M.D.," "L.A. Law"). And you'll find answers to these essential


What fundamental skills and essential ingredients do I need to write a feature film script?
By what criteria do producers and studios evaluate scripts or ideas presented to them?
When should I write an outline or a treatment for my script, and what are the formats?
How do I go about protecting my work?
Is there a cut-and-dried technique for pitching my ideas?
Every part of this book reflects the needs and realities of today's TV and film industry, providing you with insight as well as practical knowledge. With this book as your guide, you can start at the beginning and follow a well-defined path to successful scriptwriting."

Genres: Writing

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jurgen Wolff is a writer and creativity and writing coach who divides his time between London and Southern California. He has taught at the University of Southern California, the Academy for Chief Executives, the University of Barcelona, the Pilots Project, and workshops around the world.
He has written nine books including “Your Creative Writing Masterclass” (Nicholas Brealey Publishing), “Creativity Now!” (Pearson), “Marketing for Entrepreneurs” (Pearson), “Focus: the power of targeted thinking” (Pearson), “Your Writing Coach” (Nicholas Brealey), “Do Something Different” (Virgin – foreword by Sir Richard Branson).
He has written more than 100 episodes of television, the feature film “The Real Howard Spitz” starring Kelsey Grammer, the miniseries “Midnight Man” starring Rob Lowe, two TV movies starring the Olsen Twins, been a script doctor on feature films starring Eddie Murphy, Walter Matthau, Michael Caine and others. He created the animated series, “Norman Normal” (56 episodes) and co-created the series “Lukas” (39 episodes). He teaches screenwriting at the Raindance Film Festivals and in workshops around the world.
He is a NeuroLinguistic Programming practitioner, a certified hypnotherapist, and has studied improvisation with The Groundlings in Los Angeles and Keith Johnstone in London.
He is currently writing “Reptile Nations,” a novel for Young Adults.
His other sites include:
www.yourwritingcoach.com (which includes bonuses to the book);
www.creativitynowonline.com (which includes bonus materials for the “Creativity Now” book);
www.focusquick.com (with bonus material for the “Focus” book);
www.timetowrite.com;
His writing blog is at www.timetowrite.blogs.com, where he posts most days with writing news and tips.
- See more at: http://jurgenwolff.com/about/#sthash....

Reviews

[Peter Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I refer to time and again. This book even gives you tips on how to market your script to get it on screen. Wolff and Cox also put together a number of interviews with successful screenwriters, producers and creators of movies and television.

[Leonard Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best guide out there -- it's pretty hidebound and more than a tad formulaic. Still, it's widely considered the essential text, and has tons of practical value.