Customer Reviews

Hot Property: Screenwriting in the New Hollywood

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I can't say enough about this new screenwriting book... I have just about every screenwriting book ever written and some of them are really good and I refer to them quite often...

Having said that...

HOT PROPERTY blew me away! Christopher Keane explains all the little idiosyncracies you, as a screenwriter for the New Hollywood, need to be aware of.

There are a lot of problem solving ideas in the book which is what I liked best... Turning points for your characters, plot, structure, etc., that you need to look at before completing and sending out your script.

Although I have been writing screenplays for a few years now, I think even new and old screenwriters could gain a lot from this book. I cannot recommend it enough. The book blew me away so much that I even searched for the author on the web to see if he does script analysis... And, he does... A FANTASTIC READ! YOU WILL WEAR THIS BOOK OUT BY REFERING BACK TO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Matt

Keane has created a masterpiece!

If you are new to screenwriting or even thinking about writing a screenplay Hot Property is the book for you. Mr. Keane has written an excellent book that is a must have to any screenwriter's library. What makes Hot Property stands out is that it is created for the Hollywood of today. Does this mean that Keane tells you how to write mindless drivel to impress the style over substance MTV crowd? No, Keane says you should try to create low budget screenplays that are built on emotion and great writing. Think Good Will Hunting, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and American Beauty. Not only is it very hard for a new writer to have blockbuster big budgeted screenplays produce but Hollywood is in a little recession right now hence the sudden influx of romantic comedies and horror movies they are the cheapest to make.

Hot Property is set up in a very basic format. Instead of chapters Keane has classes making one feel that they are attending a screenwriting class or seminar. Keane's explanation of Situation, Concept, Story and Plot is clear and very simple something that the new screenwriter can understand.

Besides having a screenplay at the end of the book in which Keane breaks down the creation of a screenplay, the next thing that gives Hot Property a leg up on other screenwriting books is the chapter on creating treatments. Even the most season of screenwriters are not happy with doing treatments but the way Keane sets it up in his book by using examples of his students, showing what they did right and wrong are amazing to say the least.

While there are a few other books that maybe are a little better in the overall creation of a screenplay ie... The Screenwriter's Bible, which teaches you how to write a spec script, which is actually what, you will be creating... Hot Property is still a book not to overlook especially if you are new to screenwriting because it is a book that you will refer back to from time to time. Which makes Hot Property a good purchase.

I just began the book, but I already feel angered by how poorly written, and uninformative it is so far. I have read the first few chapters, and a good chuck of Keane's included original screenplay. This screenplay is utterly awful on so many levels. The formmating it outdated. Action descriptions are often written in ways you cannot show. A total no-no. The characters are shallow. The dialogue is banal, and does not flow. Most of the time, I do not even get the sense the characters are talking to each other. As for the first few chapters, lines like "Celluloid snakes through you body." Um. What? That doesn't make sense, and mixes metaphors. Cellulod and snakes? Whoah. Followed by "Your blood runs at frames per second." Silly, just silly. Finally, "Your eyeballs are projectors." Even as a metaphor, it doesn't work. Eyeballs take in information, not project out. You get the point. Don't waste your time on this drivel. Read some other books like Blake Snyder's Save the Cat!, or How NOT to Write a Screenplay.

Christopher Keane's second screenwriting book is a wonderful, in-depth look at how a novice or seasoned screenwriter can write a marketable screenplay. I found this book filled with on-target and no-nonsense advice about how to get motivated writing, what audience to target, and how to get your screenplay sold. The book includes a full screenplay example.

Chris Keane is a working screenwriter and it shows. Unlike many other books on screenwriting, this one actually hooks you and lets you tap into his passion for the subject. I particularly enjoyed his re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf's perspective. It teaches you how to think like a screenwriter. The other thing I really liked is that you get the sense that what you are reading is a caring coach, someone who wants to see you succeed, not just someone who wants to sell you something. More on Keane at his website: www.keanewords.com

Chris Keane has done what I thought he couldn't do. He has improved upon his immensely thorough and helpful first book about screenwriting, "How To Write A Selling Screenplay." I used Keane's first book in writing my first feature film, which I subsequently directed. In this new edition, Keane has incorporated the realities of the new Hollywood and changing industry into his educational text about the craft. He gives examples straight from the latest Sundance film festival, provides insight into the struggles and successes that his former students face while actually working in the industry and helps one wade through the myth and the hype that surrounds the film business, all the while remaining true to the teaching of great writing. I believed so much in the premise of this new edition, that I contributed a section on the writing of my film, "Dance by Design." This book is grounded in actual accounts from experienced screenwriters, especially Keane himself who even publishes one of his screenplays in the book as an example. I am thrilled with how the book turned out!-- Valerie Weiss, Founder, Dudley Film Program, Harvard University

I like all Christopher Keane's books. This one is right up there. But there's no mention of this being almost identical to or derived from his other book, "Romancing the A-List".
I bought both of them because there was no disclaimer anywhere. You should buy one or the other, but no need to buy both.

A nice companion to his other screenwriting book, this fun and easy to follow volume is worth picking up.

Even if you think you don't need another book on screenwriting, you should check out HOT PROPERTY. It's jam-packed with information that's vital to any screenwriter who wants to break into the business. Keane doesn't hold back and it's this frankness that motivated me to continue working on my script. Get this book!

The great thing about Christopher Keane's book is that it helps you to think like a writer, from concept to completion. More than that, he tells you how others who have learned from him have made it in Hollywood. And in addition to all the good advice and inside stuff, he writes in a snappy, conversational style that makes it seem as if he were sitting right there telling you his stories and giving you his opinions. A "how-to" book that is never boring. A great way to get started on your first script.