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The Art of the Playwright [Paperback]

William Packard (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Price: $13.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Book Description

May 5, 1997 1560251174 978-1560251170 2nd
Two fully expanded and updated resource guides for writers at all levels of experience

Writing for the stage and screen presents artistic challenges to aspiring dramatics everywhere. Through practical, proven methods, playwright and poet William Packard leads readers past personal and professional obstacles to discover dramatic success.

Whether advising readers on the best use of action and on-stage visuals or providing guidelines in effective development of character, dialogue, and plot, The Art of the Playwright offers an insightful and comprehensive introduction to the craft of writing plays. In addition, writers will find an extensive and invaluable listing of theaters, funding sources, writers' colonies, contests, and magazines that publish plays. The book also traces playwriting through the centuries, devoting special attention to the Greek tragedians and the comedies, tragedies, and histories of Shakespeare.


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Product Details

  • Paperback: 214 pages
  • Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press; 2nd edition (May 5, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1560251174
  • ISBN-13: 978-1560251170
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars It was NOT the most helpful book on playwriting., September 4, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Art of the Playwright (Paperback)
The Art of the Playwright lacked direction. It did not contain enough examples of formatting and rather concentrated too much on the creative process. If you are already a writer who needs advice on the format (scenes, line spacing, acts, etc.) then I sincerely would not recommend this book. It explains how to create characters and storylines and for people who think they are already rather creative, it makes you feel like a preschooler. However, for the novice, it just may float.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great great book on playwriting., November 12, 2002
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This review is from: The Art of the Playwright (Paperback)
Gave me the rundown on what playwriting involves. Great for the beginner and also as a reference to go back to. In a nutshell he emphasizes the three major elements over and over in different forms: Actions, Visuals, and Stakes. Emphasis on the technical and the bottom-line of a play: it must hold an audience's attention on stage. How to do that? That's what the book is about. He also gives us an overview into the history of theater and the different schools of playwriting.

Clear and entertaining read. Great great book.

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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, May 20, 1999
This review is from: The Art of the Playwright (Paperback)
William Packard conveys the essence of the art of playwriting needed to empower the imaginations of playwrights. He brilliantly teaches the central role of visuals and actions. His book is a precious source of enlightenment in a world of teachers who do more harm than good.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
The most important thing for a playwright to realize about playwriting is that there is a crucial difference between dramatic and narrative writing. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
onstage visuals, playscript text, miserable madness, basic dramatic principles, major character action, seduction action, subtle distrust, playscript format, subplot actions, practicing playwright, appropriate stakes, taking place onstage, dramatic motifs, offstage actions, onstage characters, major action, false action, true theatre, necessary background material, discovery action, dramatic writing, narrative writing
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Arthur Miller, King Lear, Lady Macbeth, Sam Shepard, Doll's House, Eugene O'Neill, Harold Pinter, Saint Joan, Sister Mary Ignatius, Vietnam War, Edward Albee, William Shakespeare, Albert Camus, Ben Jonson, Don Juan, George Bernard Shaw, Henrik Ibsen, Mister Roberts, Streetcar Named Desire, King Duncan, Mary Tyrone, Theatre Arts, World War
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