Screenwriting For Dummies

by Laura Schellhardt

Includes all the essentials for writing a screenplay, from crafting dialogue to marketing a script
Packed with easy-to-understand guidelines and writing projects, Screenwriting For Dummies makes film writing accessible to novices and helps more experienced writers improve their scripts. This engaging guide walks readers through the essential elements of every good screenplay, from character development, to creating a story, to writing compelling dialogue, to adopting a screenplay from a different source. It also includes all the specific formatting details that go into writing a visual screenplay from scripting character introductions, to writing the camera into the script, to creating a cinematic collage. In addition, Screenwriting For Dummies covers the important task of selling a screenplay, including tips for getting a spec script into the proper marketing format, protecting intellectual property rights, and securing an agent.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Film, Language, Academic, Self Help

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2003

Reviews

[LMS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple, basic introduction to screenwriting. Would be good for people who were entirely new to screenwriting. Possibly a good read before you jump into the other two screenwriting books I recommend, The Screenwriter's Bible and Invisible Ink.

[Hani Eskander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stands out among all the other books and online tutorials I read and watched in order to learn the skill of screenplay writing - this book simply nails it. It does show you and lead you in a very organized and simple manner. I read it leaf-to-leaf chronologically and it gave me an instant leap in my screenplay skills. I also go back to individual chapters and bullet points to reread sometimes. Highly recommended for any writer wanting to write professional screenplays.

[Lance Greenfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to find a "... for Dummies" book that has disappointed me.

This is also a good one and it is on my shelf waiting for the day when I write my first screen play.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While most other books give you the bread and butter, this book gave you a lot of formatting cues that the other books don't give you. I would read this in addition to other books I've read on screenwriting.

[Loni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was complete and helpful. The author's optimism may be too generous though. If read, I highly recommend reading Your Screenplay Sucks! in addition--they compliment each other well.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up ages ago in a charity shop because I thought it would give a good insight into screenwriting (and as a more practical counterpoint to William Goldman's peerless Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood). Well, it was interesting but I didn't find it compelling: it's taken me over two years to finish it! There's lot of good advice here but neither does it shy away from making it clear that there's a huge effort involved. That's true of everything worth doing, of course, but it's probably killed any faint fantasy that I might try my hand at it!

[Ishmael Soledad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what it claims to be, a starting point for anyone who wants to write a screenplay. There's a great deal to be liked inside the 340+ pages, and novice screenwriters and authors will get a great deal from Ms Schellhardt's advice.

Two things must be remembered with this book.

Firstly, it dates from 2008 and the movie and screenwriting world has moved on in the intervening 13 years, so much of the content, context, and examples are dated.

Secondly it, along with the other titles in this series, are not meant to be comprehensive or definitive; it is a beginning for those who know nothing about screenwriting. And in that it succeeds.

[Siriusly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars seems a bit harsh, but two stars does say "it's okay". I should know better by now that I don't like the For Dummies books. The corny humor doesn't do it for me and there's no substance. Beyond that, this book is an OK overview of screenwriting. Unfortunately, it's not what I'm looking for. Give me substance.

[Al Capwned · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most fun, inspiring and less pretentious book on screenwriting I've read so far.

[Scott Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this knowing nothing about screenwriting and it was a great starting point.

[Kema Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book! Real great insight before really starting my journey as a writer!

[Oriana Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive and detailed screenwriting book I have ever read, i would definitely reccomend this book to any aspiring screenwriters.

[Alireza Nourzad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so hard to read, full of details and useful conditions. I like it

[K. Anna Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have arranged my takeaway thoughts on this straight-foward how-to into a haiku:

"Marks of a good map:
De-mystify the unknown
And make the steps clear."

[Ella Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great basics, and beyond. Thought it would be less detailed than it was. Walks you through every step of screenwriting, especially formatting, which I need

[Katherine Nader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who wants to start screenwriting should first read this book. If you've already been screenwriting for a while and you've been having a lot of success then you probably won't need it. I started screenwriting last year, but I not only have trouble with format I also have trouble with connecting all three acts sometimes. However, this book has solved many, if not all, of my problems with screenwriting.

I didn't get hooked until Chapter 6-7 when Schellhardt began discussing how to plot the beginning, middles, and endings. Form that page and onward I found its contents to be most helpful. As for the beginning it was a bit slow and very generic for me, but I am sure it will be most helpful to those who haven't screenwritten before.

Jaws, The Untouchables, and American Beauty function as the best example of the screenwriting format they follow. You can learn a lot from them, and Schellhardt guides you through most of them. She also offers insights and advice on how to overcome Writer's Block, as well as how many times to re-edit your manuscript and how to go on to doing that several times without losing your mind.

This manual will also teach you how to adapt a book to screen and how to own the copyrights for that. I don't think you can find any other book that covers so much information all together in one book.

Screenwriting for Dummies does concentrate more on producing film rather than just tv shows, but if you can use these screenwriting guidelines for film and apply them to your tv script, then I'm sure that every episode will be as good as watching a movie. Good luck!

[Waad Ak · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a great book for who want to start writing for movies . Simple English and simple ideas any one can understand it . The English is my second language , I found some difficult with some English book but this one is very simple and I like it.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of what needs to be known and thought about. I need to reread it and do more research on what the author brings up. This book is helpful, I recommend it for a beginner like me.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to help me with writing. This is a great book to compliment the "Filmmaking For Dummies" book by the same publisher. It covers a wide variety of screenwriting types and methods.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informed, easy to follow and inspiring!

[Dwayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for aspiring screenwriters.

[Frank Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for my secret project!!

[Ahmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was at a loss before reading this but it helped me a LOT. Very easy to follow & helpful to all aspiring screenwriters.

[Teeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fact is, I never finished this...

[marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

grat guide

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty informative. The three plot parts 'beginnings, middles, and endings' was the most informative part. I enjoyed reading it, and Laura Schellhardt has good advice, but it seemed very basic.

[Makay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Helpful but it was a little naughty along the edges

[Karen Wrighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the format - clear, concise and very helpful. Enjoyable read too.