Ask the Pros: Screenwriting : 101 Questions Answered by Industry Professionals [Paperback]

Howard Meibach (Editor), Paul Duran (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Final Draft Presents | Publication Date: May 1, 2004

Our experts will tell the reader what's right and what's wrong with a screenplay and how to fix it. Our experts are tough and tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This book is the result of countless questions that Final Draft users have been asking us throughout the years. Questions like "How do I get started in the business?", "What do I do when I finish my screenplay?", "Do I need an agent and how do I get one?" We went straight to the Hollywood pros in our database for answers to many questions. Final Draft screenwriting software is more than the industry-standard software that Hollywood uses to write its film and television scripts. We have made it into a community, one that each and every Final Draft user is a part of. A unique community, of highly imaginative writers, that everything and everyone in film and television needs as an integral part of the Big Picture. It all starts with the script, baby. There are no studios without us. There are no power lunches and fancy tailored suits without us. We at Final Draft remain dedicated to the writer. It has been my long-standing goal to right a wrong in Hollywood: the tradition that thewriter is the bottom of the totem pole. Our aim in ‘asking the pros’ was to show the writer, in an entertaining way, how to have a refreshing and invigorating swim in these shark-infested waters. Come on in, the water’s fine.

Marc Madnick, Founder and President, Final Draft, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: Lone Eagle (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580650562
• ISBN-13: 978-1580650564
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,925,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just an Average Writing Advice Book, September 29, 2006

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ask the Pros: Screenwriting : 101 Questions Answered by Industry Professionals (Paperback)

ASK THE PROS: SCREENWRITING is a book presented by the people behind the Final Draft screenwriting software. I saw an advertisement for the book in some promotional materials that came with my copy of Final Draft and since I liked the software so much I figured ASK THE PROS: SCREENWRITING would be better than some of the screenwriting books I have read. I was sorely disappointed.

Through the course of the book 101 questions that beginning or struggling screenwriters have asked are answered by a "panel" of professionals. The "panel" consists of screenwriters, tv writers, producers, development and studio execs, readers, story editors, agents, managers, attorneys, and mentors. The book is divided in chapters according to the type of professionals answering the question, for instance legal questions are answered by attorneys, development questions are asked and answered in the section with producers and development and studio execs, etc.

Though there are some specific questions, most of the 101 questions are general: How do I get an agent?; How do you come up with ideas?; What makes a screenplay great?; etc. I've read much of the same type of material in other books and there isn't anything new here. Not only that, but just about every question asked has two opposing answers given. Writing is a process and there is no one way to write. All good writers know that, but apparently the editors weren't marketing this book towards good writers. If you finish the entire thing (as I did--once I start a book I have to read it through) the only non-conflicting advice you will receive is that if you want to write you should try to write a little everyday, screenwriters should read a lot, most scripts are rejected because of bad writing, producers and studio execs will listen to pitches by new talent, you need to get an agent, and winning a screenwriting contest doesn't mean you have a script that is worthy of being made into a movie.

I love Final Draft, but if you want to read this book, I'd check it out from the library and spend your money on watching another movie or buying an actual screenplay.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, real insight into the process, June 28, 2004

By 

Gene Carlisle (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ask the Pros: Screenwriting : 101 Questions Answered by Industry Professionals (Paperback)

One of the best books I've read on the subject of screenwriting. Not a "how to" on the technical aspects of the craft (although there is a wonderful section on this included at the end for the novice), the interviews illustrate the battle that all writers face: a blank page. Written with humor and honesty from some of the best in the business, this book is highly recommended for anyone who truly loves to write.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have for screenwriters, June 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ask the Pros: Screenwriting : 101 Questions Answered by Industry Professionals (Paperback)

The book contains lots of different opinions on the business, which is why I think it is so useful. Since there's
no one way to break into the movie business, this book is invaluable. You've never seen a book with so many pros offering their thoughts on the subject of writing and selling to Hollywood. A must-have book for any writer interested in breaking into the movies.