Customer Reviews

Getting Your Script Through the Hollywood Maze: An Insider's Guide

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was my first "How To" book on screenwriting. I read this book over 10 years ago. It would be nice if Ms. Stuart updated it.

The book does have some interesting info on what script readers are looking for and how to make it through the "Hollywood maze". Very cool. But what has changed in Hollywood in the last 10-12 years? You'll find more recently published books that attempt to answer that question.

Also, a lot of this book is a tutorial on screenwriting. It's pretty basic, but the information is still good.

There are a lot of other books out there that focus on either the "Hollywood maze" or on the craft of screenwriting; and the content in these other books is more extensive and up-to-date. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book. But I think it's time we've left the 1980's Joe Ezterhaus/Shane Black world of screenwriting behind us, and instead focused on something better than "high concept".

A comprehensive look at the business, structure, and art of writing screenplays. An excellent start for someone new to the business to get an overall sense of what's required to create and sell a successful screenplay.

Linda teaches/taught a course in Story Analysis at the American Film Institute, and writes from a script reader's point of view. She offers some penetrating insight from the other side of the word processor

Linda's book was easy to read and comprehend. I enjoyed the humor and the honesty. Although, I did not agree on some of the titles Linda used as examples, I did see the reasoning behind those decisions. I rented most of the films and looked for all the qualities that were pointed out. I read the book cover to cover, and then went back to certain areas that most interested me. I studyied it like a text. Then, I went back and looked at it again. My dad and I had done some films together, but he did all the "real stuff",so now on my own, I need the do's and don'ts. It was written in a cute way that was entertaining, and easy to utilize. Good job, Linda. And, thanks for helping the "unknowns".

An essential read for the aspiring screenwriter. Stuart's advice is no-nonsense, crystal clear and highly beneficial.