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A Quick Guide to Screenwriting
The Quick Guide to Screenwriting is the ultimate reference manual to the art, craft, and business of writing for the movies. In a series of brief but comprehensive segments, the book covers the entire process of creating a film script, from conceiving the initial idea, to developing the story, to producing a polished and professional final draft. Covered topics include the history of screenwriting; commercial vs. "personal" writing; the three basic types of screenplays; how to brainstorm ideas; developing and structuring a story; the techniques of cinematic storytelling; screenplay style and formatting; essential tools of the screenwriting trade; the seven basic steps to writing a screenplay; important screenwriting dos and don'ts; how to get quality feedback and then use it to improve your work; and the business of screenwriting, including copyright and registration of finished material, the function of agents and managers, the Writers Guild, contracts, the development process, and how to bring your work to the attention of the industry. Written in smart, reader-friendly prose, the book is chock-full of the vital information, helpful tips, and keen advice that will help you make your script the best it can be.
- GenresFilm
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
About the author
Ray Morton
12 books3 followersA writer, film historian, and script consultant, Ray Morton graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television Production, and from Pepperdine University with a Masters in Clinical Psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 29, 2017
"A Quick Guide to Screenwriting" is in my opinion a must read, if you are a beginner and not wanting to start off reading a complex How-To. Not only is it a short read, but its very straight to the point of what a beginner needs to know when working towards moving forward in the area of screenwriting.
I have read some good articles concerning this topic, and did some research as to which book titles made for a good starting point to become more educated with screenwriting, and I found this one made the cut within a list of recommendations. "The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script" by David Trottier, makes the top of each list I've come across - respectively, I'm sure (hoping to get my hands on a copy at some point). My local library only has a very select few titles on screenwriting though, but I still thankfully found that it carries this Quick Guide. Fully grasping the concept of formatting is what I've had a rather difficult time with. This book served helpful in that area of screenwriting, as well as in other areas I had in mind when thinking of the original story I'll use to practice on, but I hadn't realized until I read this that such features are part of the ingredients that go into creating a script.
To some this book up, it gives a basic look on the ingredients and technique used in formulating a screenplay for beginners - even giving you the do's and don'ts. If you want to take up screenwriting but don't really know where to begin, and want a read that is insightful but not so in depth that it might leave you feeling even less understanding of the concept of screenwriting; this is a book for you. I found it to be quite helpful, and its one I may find myself reading again, while I'm still new to the idea of screenwriting.
I have read some good articles concerning this topic, and did some research as to which book titles made for a good starting point to become more educated with screenwriting, and I found this one made the cut within a list of recommendations. "The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script" by David Trottier, makes the top of each list I've come across - respectively, I'm sure (hoping to get my hands on a copy at some point). My local library only has a very select few titles on screenwriting though, but I still thankfully found that it carries this Quick Guide. Fully grasping the concept of formatting is what I've had a rather difficult time with. This book served helpful in that area of screenwriting, as well as in other areas I had in mind when thinking of the original story I'll use to practice on, but I hadn't realized until I read this that such features are part of the ingredients that go into creating a script.
To some this book up, it gives a basic look on the ingredients and technique used in formulating a screenplay for beginners - even giving you the do's and don'ts. If you want to take up screenwriting but don't really know where to begin, and want a read that is insightful but not so in depth that it might leave you feeling even less understanding of the concept of screenwriting; this is a book for you. I found it to be quite helpful, and its one I may find myself reading again, while I'm still new to the idea of screenwriting.
August 3, 2017
Very concise and to the point, an excellent place to start with my studies into screenwriting.
April 30, 2014
The book I think is a ok book the book feels to me like another how to book. And it did not have the "hold your hand feel" well to me at least. The book is ok to look to if you are looking to do screen writing but it not the best one to choose. Well to me.
The book to me had a strange air when I read it. The book read fine but it dose not feel wright. As I read the book I felt after I had learned nothing. The book is not well written and not well crafted I feel I need to reread most of the book and it fails at teaching me the lesson. The book is very bland to me and the book is not an ok book to read. And rereading is a pain to do. So I would not reread this book but you have too if you want too learn the lesson but it not good at teaching so you reread over an over again. So I say the book is bad.
The book to me had a strange air when I read it. The book read fine but it dose not feel wright. As I read the book I felt after I had learned nothing. The book is not well written and not well crafted I feel I need to reread most of the book and it fails at teaching me the lesson. The book is very bland to me and the book is not an ok book to read. And rereading is a pain to do. So I would not reread this book but you have too if you want too learn the lesson but it not good at teaching so you reread over an over again. So I say the book is bad.
June 13, 2016
Served as a great Introduction to the dynamics of screenwriting. There were some things I had known and it gave quick, pointed tips on the different aspects of a screenplay. Good for anyone new to screenwriting looking to build their foundation of knowledge on the craft.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews