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On Screen Writing
Loaded with practical information, including an extensive discussion of adaptation, an obvious but often ignored subject in most screen writing books.
- GenresNonfictionWriting
180 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 15, 2021
I feel like you’d have to be an knowledgeable screenwriter who knew what’s what and who’s who to fairly evaluate this book but if you were already a knowledgeable screenwriter who knew the what’s and who’s there’d be no reason to read this book
January 25, 2016
The author, Edward Dmytryk, directed over 50 feature films, including the well-regarded “The Caine Mutiny” (nominated for best picture) and “The Young Lions,” as well as campy pictures like “Walk on the Wild Sides” and “Captive Wild Woman,” and many war pictures and westerns. In short, the man knew how to direct and he knew the business. This book is one of four that he wrote about the business of film, the topics being filmmaking, directing, editing, and screen writing.
This book came out in 1985, from Focal Press - an outfit known for their excellent books on the techniques and technology of photography and film. The book is short, at 178 pages, but packed with insightful details and examples that demonstrate the methods of screen writing. I have not studied filmmaking, much less screen writing, so I found myself learning new things on virtually every page. Dmytryk teaches by example and he stresses the importance of understanding film and how it differs from the stage and the novel. Adaptation is one of the main themes of the book, with excellent chapter length example from “The Caine Mutiny.”
Dmytryk’s writing style is direct, punchy, and tight. He fascinates, the book simply oozes his years of experience; he has clearly made every mistake he describes and has exercised all the advice he gives. He covers the technicalities of screen writing quickly, mostly by showing real scripts. The parts I found most enlightening were his detailed breakdowns of script excerpts, especially when they were revised in response to points he made.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, even if like me, you have no intention of ever writing a screen play.
This book came out in 1985, from Focal Press - an outfit known for their excellent books on the techniques and technology of photography and film. The book is short, at 178 pages, but packed with insightful details and examples that demonstrate the methods of screen writing. I have not studied filmmaking, much less screen writing, so I found myself learning new things on virtually every page. Dmytryk teaches by example and he stresses the importance of understanding film and how it differs from the stage and the novel. Adaptation is one of the main themes of the book, with excellent chapter length example from “The Caine Mutiny.”
Dmytryk’s writing style is direct, punchy, and tight. He fascinates, the book simply oozes his years of experience; he has clearly made every mistake he describes and has exercised all the advice he gives. He covers the technicalities of screen writing quickly, mostly by showing real scripts. The parts I found most enlightening were his detailed breakdowns of script excerpts, especially when they were revised in response to points he made.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, even if like me, you have no intention of ever writing a screen play.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews