What do you think?
Rate this book
Psychology for Screenwriters
Screenwriters must understand human behavior to make their stories come alive. This book clearly describes theories of personality and psychoanalysis with simple guidelines, thought provoking exercises, vivid film images and hundreds of examples from classic movies.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
101 people are currently reading
1232 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 25, 2013
I wrote this book, so I don't feel comfortable commenting on it. However, I would be happy to answer questions about it and respond to other readers' comments and reviews.
December 6, 2016
Aslında amacı ve içeriği göz önüne alınırsa oldukça değerli bir çabanın ürünü. Ancak senaryo bu derece sentetik ve mekanik bir şey olarak ele alınacaksa gözetilmesi gereken onlarca dinamik ortaya çıkar. Bu kitapsa genel bir yaklaşımla, yalnızca psikoloji ekseninde bir ilişki kurmayı tercih etmiş. Bu noktada başarılı gibi gözükse de, temel yöntemin bu olduğu söylemiyle biraz iddialı bir bakışa sahip.
İkinci bir handikap ise şu: Film, yapısı itibariyle zaten psikanaliz yapmaya uygundur. Kitap da bunu gösterebilmiş. Fakat okuyucunun bunu kavraması için eski okumalarının bu anlamda oldukça güçlü olması gerekiyor şartını da koymuş. Bu amatör senaryo yazarları için eksik metin duygusu yaratacaktır diye düşünüyorum. Bilgileri toparlamak, bilenin gözünden kaçma ihtimalini göz önünde bulundurarak, bilmeyenin de öğrenmesini sağlamak amacıyla daha ayrıntılı anlatımlar yapılabilirdi.
Tüm bunlar dışında bölüm sonlarında verilen ev ödevlerini eğlenceli görünecek kadar gereksiz bulduğumu söyleyebilirim.
Ama bunlar dışında senaryo yazan insanlar için, temel bilgilerden farklı bir şey sunması itibariyle güzel bir çalışma olduğunu söyleyebilirim. En azından bir başlangıç noktası oluşturabilecek ve yazılan karakterlerin üç boyutlu olmasını sağlayabilecek bir niteliğe de sahip. Keza izleyicilerinde karakterlere ve öykülere daha bilinçli yaklaşmasını sağlayacaktır.
İlgilenenlerin kesinlikle edinmesi gereken bir kitap.
İkinci bir handikap ise şu: Film, yapısı itibariyle zaten psikanaliz yapmaya uygundur. Kitap da bunu gösterebilmiş. Fakat okuyucunun bunu kavraması için eski okumalarının bu anlamda oldukça güçlü olması gerekiyor şartını da koymuş. Bu amatör senaryo yazarları için eksik metin duygusu yaratacaktır diye düşünüyorum. Bilgileri toparlamak, bilenin gözünden kaçma ihtimalini göz önünde bulundurarak, bilmeyenin de öğrenmesini sağlamak amacıyla daha ayrıntılı anlatımlar yapılabilirdi.
Tüm bunlar dışında bölüm sonlarında verilen ev ödevlerini eğlenceli görünecek kadar gereksiz bulduğumu söyleyebilirim.
Ama bunlar dışında senaryo yazan insanlar için, temel bilgilerden farklı bir şey sunması itibariyle güzel bir çalışma olduğunu söyleyebilirim. En azından bir başlangıç noktası oluşturabilecek ve yazılan karakterlerin üç boyutlu olmasını sağlayabilecek bir niteliğe de sahip. Keza izleyicilerinde karakterlere ve öykülere daha bilinçli yaklaşmasını sağlayacaktır.
İlgilenenlerin kesinlikle edinmesi gereken bir kitap.
April 11, 2023
some psychologists (men) do say weird things
April 21, 2011
I think every writer needs to refill the creative well as often as possible and this book not only made me think about past characters in some of my books, it also gave me some terrific ideas for the stories I'm currently working on/about to start. From Freud to Jung to Adler to Joseph Campbell's 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces', theories of why characters do the things they do are broken down into easily digested chapters with well known Movies used as a way of demonstrating the points. As a Movie fan this was always going to work for me. Since I found talks from both Michael Hauge and Blake Snyder (who is much missed) so inspirational at RWA conferences a few years back, I've been fascinated by the commonalities between screen writing and prose. It all comes down to character in the end, doesn't it? So big thumbs up for this one and as an added bonus it made me look at my own life with the conclusion I need to stop being a spectator. Am therefore vowing to be a more pro-active heroine in my own story!
This book stays on the keeper shelf.
This book stays on the keeper shelf.
May 14, 2016
This is a useful resource for identifying plot, motivation and character development. It provides a helpful understanding of the character traits, thoughts and actions which govern human behaviour.
The Psychology for Screenwriters delves into the complexities of the human psyche and is broken down into sections to help the reader digest the points raised in a logical structure.
There’s an enormous amount of information here with some references to the theories of Freud, Jung and Adler among others. Despite its title, the information contained in this book is universal to any form of fiction writing and can, therefore, be applied to screenwriters, playwrights and novelists alike. If you’re searching for something which provides a comprehensive and clearly-defined narrative on the psychology of human behaviour, then I recommend this helpful resource.
The Psychology for Screenwriters delves into the complexities of the human psyche and is broken down into sections to help the reader digest the points raised in a logical structure.
There’s an enormous amount of information here with some references to the theories of Freud, Jung and Adler among others. Despite its title, the information contained in this book is universal to any form of fiction writing and can, therefore, be applied to screenwriters, playwrights and novelists alike. If you’re searching for something which provides a comprehensive and clearly-defined narrative on the psychology of human behaviour, then I recommend this helpful resource.
August 3, 2022
Full of new knowledge. Really useful not only for film makers but also for writers.
January 8, 2022
I'm surprised by some of the reviews here about this book. I'm a screenwriter and I just couldn't put it down, I was underlining everything and putting stickers all over! This book is so clear and easy to understand, filled with clear examples, tools and exercises of how to apply psychology to whatever you're writing.
I was a psychology student once (dropped out, such is life), and the concepts weren't as clear and as applied (for me) as it is here. Freud makes much more sense to me now with Dr. Indick's explanation and step-by-step descriptions. After all, I am a writer, and what I needed was THIS kind of explanation, this way of going through Freud's concept of the unconscious and its structures.
This book is not "psychology for dummies" either. It's a friendlier approach to some psychological theories that help with character development when you're writing a script. There's Freud, Erickson, Jung, Adler, May, Campbell... And there are tips of how to write a story based on the psychological aspects. There's no formula to write a screenplay... No, I'm lying, there are a few, but what's the point? Creativity and imagination are the things that makes us all unique writers with different voices and stories to tell. There's a space for everyone, and this work by Dr. Indick is a great step in that direction.
I was a psychology student once (dropped out, such is life), and the concepts weren't as clear and as applied (for me) as it is here. Freud makes much more sense to me now with Dr. Indick's explanation and step-by-step descriptions. After all, I am a writer, and what I needed was THIS kind of explanation, this way of going through Freud's concept of the unconscious and its structures.
This book is not "psychology for dummies" either. It's a friendlier approach to some psychological theories that help with character development when you're writing a script. There's Freud, Erickson, Jung, Adler, May, Campbell... And there are tips of how to write a story based on the psychological aspects. There's no formula to write a screenplay... No, I'm lying, there are a few, but what's the point? Creativity and imagination are the things that makes us all unique writers with different voices and stories to tell. There's a space for everyone, and this work by Dr. Indick is a great step in that direction.
March 29, 2018
One can illustrate literally every psychological theory applied to the screenplay by Star Wars
May 20, 2022
The perspectives of each psychologist (and anthropologist in Joseph Campbell's case) are so clearly conveyed and thoroughly supported that this book no doubt makes a great guide for those who may feel lost in how best to shape their stories and characters, whether screenwriter, novelist, videogame writer or nearly anything else. One relatively small issue is found in the occasional cases wherein the author seems to have conflated one character motivation/plot point with another in a strange, seemingly hasty desperation to exemplify one of his arguments, leading to him missing the mark when he perhaps should have thought of a more relevant example. Another small but larger issue is that the author seems overly eager to accept Maureen Murdock's female hero "myth" as a universally salient archetypal cycle, whereas other feminine story archetypes exist that are obviously much more deeply rooted in our psyche, and Murdock's scheme is more probably a highly modern amalgamation of male and female mythic imagery that is more in line with the recent unification of the male and female cognitive worlds brought on by today's developed societies (although the lack of study around the female hero myth, especially around the time of the book's publication, renders this more excusable from the author's perspective). A great guide all in all, with some small flaws that render it slightly less useful and more confusing that it could have been.
May 19, 2017
There are umpteen books for screenwriters but this one stands out !
Author William Indick explains the human psyche & its relation to storytelling through the eyes of renowned psychologists experts.
Each chapter offers some refreshing perspectives to character development which is sure to help filmmakers, screenwriters & the like.
Summary points will serve as bullet points as the author has briefly conveyed the contents of each chapter.
Indick offers a very condensed version of each Psychologists theories so each topic is restricted to a few paragraphs.
Reading works of Sigmund Freud, C.G.Jung, Joseph Campbell is an exhaustive effort in itself & this book effectively offers a glimpse into the their worlds.
Author concludes well & asks the readers not to be bound by any formulaic approach but at the same time encourages to comprehend the theories put forward to have a better command over the storytelling medium.
Author William Indick explains the human psyche & its relation to storytelling through the eyes of renowned psychologists experts.
Each chapter offers some refreshing perspectives to character development which is sure to help filmmakers, screenwriters & the like.
Summary points will serve as bullet points as the author has briefly conveyed the contents of each chapter.
Indick offers a very condensed version of each Psychologists theories so each topic is restricted to a few paragraphs.
Reading works of Sigmund Freud, C.G.Jung, Joseph Campbell is an exhaustive effort in itself & this book effectively offers a glimpse into the their worlds.
Author concludes well & asks the readers not to be bound by any formulaic approach but at the same time encourages to comprehend the theories put forward to have a better command over the storytelling medium.
October 7, 2022
Another fine book to skim when you're procrastinating on your script.
Psychology for Screenwriter breaks down 6 approaches to answering the number 1 question you ask yourself when writing: What does your character want? Indick can sometimes get lost in the weeds of psychology lessons. It certainly reads like a grad school textbook early on in the Freud section. When he brings it back to writing, it feels like he only grazes tropes and archetypes. I've read countless screenwriting books at this point, so i might be callous to such basic storytelling lessons. Also, could've used a couple movie examples closer to this century.
However, Indick stands out from his contemporaries by departing from the act structure lessons and instead harps on letting the protagonist's desire lead you to the end of your story. And each chapter ends with a summary for easy reference when you find yourself stumped. Overall a somewhat beneficial book to keep on your shelf between McKee and Truby.
Psychology for Screenwriter breaks down 6 approaches to answering the number 1 question you ask yourself when writing: What does your character want? Indick can sometimes get lost in the weeds of psychology lessons. It certainly reads like a grad school textbook early on in the Freud section. When he brings it back to writing, it feels like he only grazes tropes and archetypes. I've read countless screenwriting books at this point, so i might be callous to such basic storytelling lessons. Also, could've used a couple movie examples closer to this century.
However, Indick stands out from his contemporaries by departing from the act structure lessons and instead harps on letting the protagonist's desire lead you to the end of your story. And each chapter ends with a summary for easy reference when you find yourself stumped. Overall a somewhat beneficial book to keep on your shelf between McKee and Truby.
April 10, 2021
Никогда бы не подумала, что впервые буду читать о основных теориях психологии в книге по сценаристике. Не знаю что мне понравилося больше, то насколько эта книга интересна и познавательна, или то как хорошо структурирована. Книга всегда держит внимание читателя удачными и яркими примерами фильмов которые дают возможность представить себе как вся эта теория должна выглядеть на практике. И ведь дело не только в фильмах но и в жизни. Эти теории дають возможность разобраться и в своей собственной жизни, которая впрочем не сильно отличается от кино.
June 6, 2024
This was a transformative book that helped me feel so much more confident while writing. I now have a much deeper understanding of characters and gained insight into the motives behind their actions, which is especially useful in writing my own stories. This book is as crucial as any of the popular screenwriting books assigned in film schools, and I wish I had read it in college. It's incredibly beneficial for anyone wanting to have a successful screenwriting career or for film fans who want to broaden their understanding of their favorite movie characters.
June 4, 2021
Great "go to" book for developing a plot arc, scene by scene. Detailed outline of what purpose each scene should serve and how it needs to contribute to the entire story. Movies provided as examples. Exercises for deeper understanding. Explains how to setup the characters' motivations and how the characters should play off one another for optimal effect.
April 24, 2019
The good: the book offers an ordered collection of psychological paradigms related to human development and corresponding examples in films.
The bad: I wished that the author dealt in more depth and presented more examples. It feels that the content is a bit shallow.
The bad: I wished that the author dealt in more depth and presented more examples. It feels that the content is a bit shallow.
February 24, 2024
Якщо ви цікавитеся психологією хоч трохи, то нічого особливо нового ви для себе не побачите. Розбір фільмів був корисним, але все дуже очевидно, як на мене.
Але для людей які мало знайомі з теорією Фройда, Юнга чи Еріксона, можливо це стане початком для розбору героїв фільмів чи книг.
Але для людей які мало знайомі з теорією Фройда, Юнга чи Еріксона, можливо це стане початком для розбору героїв фільмів чи книг.
Read
May 15, 2021Güzel bir başlangıç kitabı
May 19, 2021
Для общего обозрения отлично: с упражнениями в конце глав, с примерами (хоть фильмография и сильно устаревшая). Написано просто, структурировано и без воды.
January 2, 2022
Out of date, totally biased toward male perspectives, and not worth the bother
September 21, 2024
Great reference material; it's on my shelf, though I seldom use it.
Read
November 13, 2025eye rolled so hard at the Buffy slander
November 17, 2015
A diverting run through of 20th century psychology and how it applies to movies.
A little plain from what I remember, in the sense that if you already have a cursory sense of Freud, Jung, or Erik Erikson, it's going to feel a little redundant. But there is a little sublime pleasure from seeing movies listed that apply to basic psychology processes. It's at times a fun read.
But the application of its ideas could have been a little more exhaustive and tightly written.
I read this book for a class in my film school program, I imagine that's where most people would find it otherwise. I think there must be a better way to experience film theory than a book this simple.
That being said, there's nothing truly wrong with this book, only its plainness. 4/5
A little plain from what I remember, in the sense that if you already have a cursory sense of Freud, Jung, or Erik Erikson, it's going to feel a little redundant. But there is a little sublime pleasure from seeing movies listed that apply to basic psychology processes. It's at times a fun read.
But the application of its ideas could have been a little more exhaustive and tightly written.
I read this book for a class in my film school program, I imagine that's where most people would find it otherwise. I think there must be a better way to experience film theory than a book this simple.
That being said, there's nothing truly wrong with this book, only its plainness. 4/5
May 29, 2015
Excellent. Not just as a primer for how to build compelling characters in the ultra-shallow world of screenwriting, but a nice survey of Freudian psychoanalytical theory and beyond. Psychology for amateurs (which, as an armchair psychologist, I found fun.) Watch out for the Freud-bashing, though. Those of us who still love The Master can be easily hurt.
September 10, 2011
Though I'm not a fan of pyschology, this book is an intriguing read for fiction writers. The authour explains the various schools of psychology and then shows how a writer can use that to develop characters with depth as well as plots with layers.
September 21, 2011
Once upon a time I went to a screenwriter's conference and was told I need to work on building "conflict". I picked up this book and it has become my bible ever since. One of the best screenwriting books I have ever read, hands down.
May 2, 2013
A wonderful book for understanding the psychology of character development as related to the human condition. Indick has an amazing grasp on the way a character should arc, the use of conflict, and the way a plot should develop. I recommend it to any writer of fiction.
January 6, 2011
Had a bit of useful information. With today's libraries online, this was sorta something to grab while stuck away from technology.
September 19, 2011
A really good overview of script development with concise descriptions of common story and character elements. Divided by steps of writing, Indick's no-nonsense approach is much appreciated.
September 14, 2012
The title is great.
and with it, somehow I expected more.
But it's worth owning it for the part which talks about Joseph Campbell.
and with it, somehow I expected more.
But it's worth owning it for the part which talks about Joseph Campbell.
September 15, 2014
There is a plenty of useful stuff in this book. I've never studied a psychology, so this book was a good introduction to this science as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews