Dr. Format Answers Your Questions [Paperback]

David Trottier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1885655088 | ISBN-13: 978-1885655080 | Publication Date: August 15, 2002 | Edition: 1

Do you have a question about screenplay format or spec writing? Now you can have all of Dr. Format's prescriptions in one place.

He addresses such issues as how to handle foreign languages, when can you "legally" use secondary headings (slug lines), how to streamline scenes for a "great read," what Hollywood readers look for in a script, and how to format e-mail conversations.

Dr. Format contains every column Dave Trottier has written for Scr(i)pt Magazine, and each entry has been updated to currect standards. In all, Dave answers 107 common questions with concise answers and clear, illustrative examples that empower you to write with confidence.

Dave teaches you how to direct the camera without using camera directions, and how to use formatting principles to develop your characters. He also shares specific tips on pitch letters and TV sitcom format. And he provides expert guidance on screenwriting issues not found anywhere else.

Dr. Format goes beyond the rules and gives you practical applications that will expand your writing repertoire. According to Dave, "Understanding formatting and spec writing is a key to crafting a great screenplay." Let Dr. Format help you do just that.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This is a new printing of the revised edition. It contains all of Dave Trottier's columns through March, 2006. Dave is also the author of The Screenwriter's Bible (now in its fourth edition) and The Freelance Writer's Bible. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David Trottier is the author of the popular and critically-acclaimed Screenwriter's Bible. Dave is also a produced screenwriter, seminar leader, and script consultant.

Product Details

• Paperback: 119 pages
• Publisher: Dave Trottier; 1 edition (August 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885655088
• ISBN-13: 978-1885655080
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,474,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Trottier has sold, optioned, or developed numerous screenplays and stories for The Walt Disney Company, Jim Henson Pictures, York Entertainment, On the Bus Productions, Hill Fields (for ABC television) and New Century Pictures.

As a teacher and writing coach, he has helped hundreds of writers sell their work, break into the biz, and win contests (including two Nicholl Fellowship winners and a National Play Award winner). Recently, Dave rated in the top 6% of the "Cream of the Crop" category of Creative Screenwriting's report "The Best Movie and TV Script Analysts and Consultants as Rated by Screenwriters."

He has taught at the major screenwriting expos and conferences, has lectured or led writing and screenwriting seminars at dozens of American universities, and teaches occasional writing classes at the University of Phoenix where he was honored with a Distinguished Teaching Award in 2005. He also conducts his own online courses, workshops, and retreats, including his popular Sundance Retreat. He hosts the popular web site keepwriting.com.

His major work, "The Screenwriter's Bible," is now in its fifth edition. He has also published several other books, including "The Freelance Writer's Bible," based on his popular national seminar 17 Ways to Make a Living as a Writer. He has written a column for Script magazine since 1989, and has published hundreds of articles and stories in national publications.

With his B.A. in business administration (from Cal-State, Fullerton), Dave has a strong business and marketing background. He served for five years as the marketing manager and then executive vice president for a distributor of memorabilia and precious metals (about 100 employees). Prior to that, he was in middle management for a large corporation. As a marketing consultant and business writer, his past clients include The Walt Disney Company, Honda Acura, American Premiere, Lucasfilm, Nutrex, Mitsubishi Materials, Ivy Communications, and Citizen America. He edited the quarterly newsletter "Precious Metals Today" for four years.

Dave has an M.A. from Goddard College and is a graduate of both the Hollywood Scriptwriting Institute and the Hollywood Film Institute. He served on the board of the Arts & Humanities Department of Cal-State, Long Beach, before moving to his present home near Sundance, Utah, where he married Virginia artist and educator Marsha Sawyer. They have two children, which is why he currently spends less time on the road.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough info, February 23, 2006

By 

Shawn Rodenbough - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Format Answers Your Questions, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I read and really like Trottier's SCREENWRITING BIBLE. I also like the column he does in Script Magazine: "Dr. Format." That's why I was dissapointed when I read this book. It seems to be just a cut and paste from his magazine articles. A lot of the information is even redundant, having appeared in more than one article. The advice is sound -- you just don't need to be beat over the head with it.

All of the information in this book is in the SCREENWRITING BIBLE. Save yourself some money and just buy one book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful guide for new writers, September 25, 2005

By 

Daniel (Union City, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dr. Format Answers Your Questions, Revised Edition (Paperback)

This is a wonderful guide for new writers. It delivers exactly what it says it will. It contains excellent examples, insights and other information. The only problem I’ve had is it tends to get a bit repetitive at times. However, it just goes to show you that the same mistakes are made by all. No one is perfect!

5.0 out of 5 stars Golden tips for formatting your screenplay, October 1, 2007

By 

R. Und K. Fieseler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Format Answers Your Questions, Revised Edition (Paperback)

If you need answers to your fiddly questions in screenwriting read that book. It's like a Standards and Guidelines (S&Gs) book. David Trottier explains the S&Gs by examples. I can highly recommend it.