Amazon.com: Alternative Scriptwriting, Third Edition: Successfully Breaking the Rules (9780240804774): Ken Dancyger, Jeff Rush: Books

Kindle Edition
Read instantly on your iPad, PC or Mac, no Kindle required
Buy Price: $6.15
Rent From: $4.78
 
 
   
Buy Used
Used - Very Good See details
$7.87 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Alternative Scriptwriting, Third Edition: Successfully Breaking the Rules
 
 

Alternative Scriptwriting, Third Edition: Successfully Breaking the Rules [Paperback]

Ken Dancyger (Author), Jeff Rush (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
 
Kindle Edition
Rent from
$6.15
$4.78
 
Paperback $22.19  
Paperback, January 3, 2002 --  
There is a newer edition of this item:
Alternative Scriptwriting, Fourth Edition: Rewriting the Hollywood Formula Alternative Scriptwriting, Fourth Edition: Rewriting the Hollywood Formula 4.2 out of 5 stars (15)
$22.19
In Stock.

Book Description

January 3, 2002 0240804775 978-0240804774 3
Going beyond the conventional three act structure and exploring more inventive approaches, Alternative Scriptwriting challenges readers to take creative risks with genre, tone, character, and structure. It explores mainstream, personal, and experimental narrative forms, surveying both American and international films. In a field where novelty often equals commercial success, scriptwriters frequently strive to create screenplays that are innovative and exceptional.

Alternative Scriptwriting links scriptwriting to other forms of storytelling, and discusses issues including the three act structure, working with and against genre, character identification, and the implications of screenplay form. Key issues, examples, and case studies demonstrate what works, what doesn't, and why. Exercises encourage writers to explore new ways of viewing their work and to test the limits of their skills.


Additions to the third edition include:
* a comparative study of how two very different filmmakers handle different types of film.
* a look at ways in which narrative tension, story structure, and perspective can be used when writing for the digital film
* a study of adapting contemporary literature for film


*Examines a wider variety of genres than ever before, including extreme forms such as the melodrama and the thriller

*Includes a discussion of alternative film in the context of DVD technology

*Features a new study of adaptation from contemporary literature


Editorial Reviews

Review

"I was pleased with the topics and their progression. I particularly liked the movies suggested and the comments about the films." Bill Neff, Montana State Univ. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

Learn to safely break the rules! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 382 pages
  • Publisher: Focal Press; 3 edition (January 3, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0240804775
  • ISBN-13: 978-0240804774
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A fresh look at screenwriting., August 17, 1998
By A Customer
If you have already read the "how-to" books from Syd Field, Linda Seger, and others, then you must know that the three most important things you should be doing to enhance your craft are: reading screenplays, watching movies, and writing screenplays. After that, if you still need some motivation to write, then reading an exceptional book such as "Alternative Screenwriting" might be just the kick in the pants you need to keep you going. It's presentation is clear and fresh. And it does not just emphasise "alternative" approaches, either. In fact, it presents some of the most useful and succinct summaries of "mainstream" dramatic screenplay structure I have ever seen. This is not just another "how-to" book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I bought it twice., January 12, 1998
I already had the earlier edition of this book, but bought the update, thinking that it could even help my writing by osmosis. My god, I was right. This is not a book to be taken lightly, nor is it a "new" edition by virtue of adding a couple of new words, an updated comment here and there. These authors take their task very seiously, including taking to heart comments they'd received about the first edition, and making sweeping and important changes for this new version. Buy this book. It couldn't hurt. It could change your life. At the very least, it will give you a new list of rentals for the video store. And you'll understand why you like them.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Insightful, February 16, 2006
By 
A. Davis (Orange, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Alternative Scriptwriting, Third Edition: Successfully Breaking the Rules (Paperback)
As a screenwriting instructor who's been looking a long time for a good book on the craft, I can heartily recommend this book for an in-depth discussion of advanced screenwriting principles. The academic perspective provides concrete methods for successful deviation from conventional form, and chapters on genre and structure are a must-read for any serious screenwriter.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews











Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
There are many different schools of thought with regard to becoming a better screenwriter. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Act Two, Act One, Schindler's List, Los Angeles, Wyatt Earp, Act Three, The Verdict, Indiana Jones, Blue Velvet, Wall Street, Steven Spielberg, Something Wild, Black Robe, Blair Witch, United States, Who'll Stop the Rain, Short Cuts, Steven Soderbergh, World War, Groundhog Day, King of the Hill, The Fugitive, Billy Wilder, Erin Brockovich
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:



Books on Related Topics (learn more)
 
Show Biz Training by Lenn Millbower
 


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject