Film Scriptwriting: A Practical Manual, Second Edition [Paperback]

Dwight V. Swain (Author), Joye R. Swain (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240511905 | ISBN-13: 978-0240511900 | Publication Date: September 7, 1988 | Edition: 2

This second edition of the widely acclaimed Film Scriptwriting is a truly practical manual for the working writer. It provides all the clear, step-by-step guidance you need to script both fact and feature film and video - from getting and developing ideas to the writing of master scene or shooting script.

Featured in this new edition are annotated excerpts from some of today's most successful films, selected to point up principles and techniques discussed. Interviews with working film specialists reveal the things professional directors, producers, story editor, and analysts look for in appraising the scripts that come across their desks.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Featured in this new edition are annotated excerpts from some of today's most successful films, selected to point up principles and techniques discussed. Interviews with working film specialists reveal the things professional directors, producers, story editor, and analysts look for in appraising the scripts that come across their desks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (September 7, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240511905
• ISBN-13: 978-0240511900
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #792,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice easy Primer, August 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Film Script-writing: A Practical Manual (Paperback)

This book takes the budding Script writer through the nonsense to a solid plan to get that novel written.
Sound advice and guidanace from a good teacher. Well worth the money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best screenwriting book I've found so far!, February 5, 2008

By 

Brian Dzyak (Encino, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Film Scriptwriting: A Practical Manual, Second Edition (Paperback)

I'm not sure what book the other reviewers here were reading, but after looking at some of the other popular screenwriting books out there, I've found that this "Practical Manual" is perhaps the best overall at helping screenwriters learn the craft, both technically and creatively. It is full of very useful practical (thus the appropriate title) advice and guidelines for structuring a screenplay in terms of story and style.

Don't hesitate to buy this book and use it! It's worth every penny.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roseburg, OR, March 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Film Scriptwriting: A Practical Manual, Second Edition (Paperback)

This manual is an excellent resource for beginning script writers who need guidance through the minefields of writing and getting a script into the hands of the correct people.