Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story

by Angus Fletcher

One of the 20th century’s greatest fiction writers, F. Scott Fitzgerald, was lured by the promise of Hollywood glamour to try his hand at screenwriting. He failed. His misadventure became a cautionary tale for aspiring screenwriters for decades. Meanwhile, Oscar-nominated scriptwriter John Milius, who penned the script for Apocalypse Now, once said that his job was “hackwork.” So which is it? Is writing for the screen a glamorous vocation or formulaic drudgery? Is it a difficult undertaking that can sink a great novelist at the height of his career, or simply another boring day job that requires minimal skill?

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Film, Language, Reference

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[wirrow wirrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

basically a series of practises in reverse engineering. actually really interesting if you’re interested in movies (uses some classic examples like pulp fiction, godfather, star wars, toy story, fargo and a few others) even if you’re not interested in writing, it may give some great deconstructed views on your old favs.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books about film. Angus Fletcher takes you on a journey through some of my absolute favorite movies. It's also applicable to novels and I think is a useful addition to an editor or writers shelf.

[Savannah Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

And when I write a good screenplay and win an Oscar what then

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I have a friend A fellow UMUC Professor whose Daughter is a Long Distance Swimmer and she has written a Screen Play about her. She is also the Daugher of the Man who started Minor League Baseball... I think I have that correct I have never like to watch Baseball since I played when young. If only they had Womens Professional Sports then my life would have been oh so different. But then I am sure we would already have men/Women wanting to take my spot so perhaps things are just as they are for a reason and to be happy with your lots because surely its it already predestined? I will read this book again because I was outside fixing the Crown Molding on the outside of the house and really I should have been taking notes since this was a GREAT COURSE which I love because I love to learn things, everything so perhaps I am like the wind which ever way it blows... is that a Willow Tree or OAK.

Oh Wait it's a GREAT COURSE so it has an Accompanying PDF yeah so I could just take notes on the provided information how wonderful these GREAT COURSES are. I used to watch the VIDEOS but was not getting my things done and just sitting around getting fatter... lol. So this was very interesting and filled with lots of tales we have all heard passed down through history and he says if you have not heard this STOP NOW AND GO READ IT! What do I recommend ... READ IT READ MORE READ READ READ. Well ask me if I like all of the stories he discusses well NO but it doesn't matter because he is using them to support his ideas and it teaches me what I wanted to learn. So now I feel comfortable enough to send this BOOK this COURSE to my friend as a GIFT. Thank you AUDIBLE and than you Margo for suggesting that I should be able to send the EXACT BOOK not just some gift certificate. So buy a book for your friend, family whomever it doesn't matter. Ai recommend writing something nice in the cover page with INK and Date it and most importantly wrap that book with plain Construction Paper and tie it with a string. NO not fancy sparkly paper or Christmas paper nothing so flashy just plain Construction paper and twine and hand it to them and smile. You are offering them the WORLD.

So I am sure you know I recommend giving books as gifts. If you meet a neighbor police officer buy them a copy of THE BELL CURVE. Even if they do not read it and you try to start a conversation about the topic and you see them put up their walls at least you TRIED to enlighten them, TRIED to expand their world, Tried to educate and make their daily job easier and that is all you can do but to do it to know the people around you and what they need you have to listen to them and you have to READ MORE because their is something out there for EVERYONE.

READ MORE!

[Elwin Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it.

As an avid reader, television show watcher, and long time movie goer (pre-Covid), a lot of the content in this really shows the deep level of thought and analysis that goes behind the scenes when writing this type of content.

There is heavy emphasis on sampling and reverse engineering in this, like it or not... music and entertainment has been doing this for longer than I've been alive and it is not going away. People will continue to do so and honestly at this point, while possible, it would more than likely be extremely difficult to write something truly unique that a reviewer/the audience could not make any connection with off of other genre-similar material.

All in all though this was fantastic and very inspirational to write something of your own. Different strategies from character building, tension then relief, comedy, romance, false hope, the importance of the first page/pilot, etc., are all presented with great detail in a very entertaining way. Author/content creator did an amazing job.

As much as I would love to write something of my own, right now is just not the time in my life with two kids under the age of three, working full time, currently pursuing my masters degree, and still wanting to pursue other hobbies like reading and writing reviews like this. Hopefully though, one day I will give it a go. Resources like this are perfect to support getting started and/or refining what you already have.

Very enjoyable and I highly recommend.

[Mia Wolffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This doesn't teach you how to write a screenplay, per se, but how to tell a story in a way the resonates using movies, naturally enough, to give the best of examples. It doesn't go deeply into technical jargon or specifics like three-act structure etc. It's about telling a story and learning how to do so by deconstructing the best movies. If you're any kind of writer this is a good read/listen. Deconstructing and reworking things is all we do as writers so I liked this take on stories and how to tell them.

I liked the reader. Pace and inflection were good so you don't fall asleep covering content you're already familiar with. There are spots to stop and read or watch the story in question but if you're not going to do that the specific scenes are acted out with the voice actor rather than using clips from the movies. I thought that was a nice touch.

I'll rewatch a couple of the stories (Jaws is Beowolf?!) and listen to this Audible book again and see how I feel about it a second time through.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This course is meant specifically for people who actually do want to write a screenplay (something I think would be fun but have no intention of doing). However, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the art of storytelling and filmmaking in general. The course details what is necessary to make a memorable screenplay and gives examples by dissecting several classic films.  These include: Casablanca, The Godfather, When Harry Met Sally, Jaws, Annie Hall, Star Wars, The Princess Bride, Do the Right Thing, Unforgiven, Pulp Fiction, Toy Story and Fargo. TV series discussed include MASH, Game of Thrones, The Simpsons, Grey's Anatomy and CSI. I'm not sure I learned all that much beyond his main point of using something called reverse engineering, but it was fun to delve into the screenplays of several movies I love. I haven't seen any of the TV shows discussed (except the first season of GOT) so I skipped most of those sections.  The professor had a lot of enthusiasm for the subject matter, which I always appreciate.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Always Reverse-Engineer” 🥸

‘ Start with the end emotion you want your audience to feel and work backwards, stacking the deck. The important thing is the method to make a blueprint, not the blueprint itself. Just like Shakespeare or Pixar, identify the ending of tour favorite story, then isolate what story elements generate this effect (or for TV, generate the story engine). ‘


I valued these succinct story lessons! Thank you Angus!

[Alicia Grega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher's focus is on the cognitive effect of film and reverse-engineering plot to arrive at the desired emotional response - it makes sense. The lectures analyzing specific films are worthwhile examples even if you're not a particular fan of the film in question.
There aren't as many books on screenwriting from a neuroscientific standpoint as I'd like - hopefully this lecture series will become one.

[JalapenoSoup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this approach to writing! It's not formulaic, but it is surgical. Or rather, it's the craftsman's approach. The focus on how to instill the desired cognitive effect in your audience, and achieving that through reverse engineering really appealed to me. This is the first Great Course that I've really delved into the accompanying PDF. This is probably one of my favorite books on writing I've read so far this year.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is a good primer for screenwriting. It covers the basics and then critiques the screenplays for the following movies/TV shows: Casablanca, The Godfather, When Harry Met Sally, Jaws, Annie Hall, Star Wars, The Princess Bride, Do the Right Thing, Pulp Fiction, Toy Story, Fargo, MASH, Game of Thrones, The Simpsons, CSI, and Grey's Anatomy. I skipped the chapters where I hadn't seen the movies, as they weren't that helpful without having seen them.

[Gwynneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally getting through writing reviews for books I've gone through in 2024 (on April 26, 2025). From what I remember about this one, I liked it well enough at a 7.5/10. It was useful to have had examples in each chapter and vivid in its explanations. Could be useful to revisit in the future, but I will likely pursue other texts to strengthen my understanding of screenwriting.

[G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to have to come back to this one and make another judgement on the quality. It's like I know the quality of the work that Project Narrative does, but in reading (or listening to this one), I didn't really absorb what I hoped to absorb.

[John Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good analysis of the basics of screenwriting for film & television.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inept

[Mujahid Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a guidebook on the art of Screenwriting. The Author uses some famous examples from TV and Film and demystifies them. A fun read, if you are dabbling into screenwriting.

[Quinn da Matta · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best lectures on writing (for screen, movies, and literature) that I've heard in quite a while. The range of topics is great, and detail incredible, and the insight invaluable.

[Hrishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommending

[Myk Pilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly my stand-out most useful "read" of 2020.
A masterclass in how to construct compelling narratives and what makes them work.

[Anastasia MacKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend to anyone interested in script writing, writing and storytelling in general, or just wanting to grow their appreciation for film and TV.

[A.D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Staggeringly incompetent.

[Pauline Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great lecture and PDF for scriptwriters and people who want to understand storytelling better.

[Yaaresse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This GC is marketed as a "how to" for both screenwriting and watching movies. I watched for the latter out of curiosity. Can't say I feel more educated as a movie watcher, but then I watch movies to be entertained, not to analyze them.

It is an interesting course, though. If I were interested in screenwriting, it would be a good resource. I won't