The Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for all Screenwriters (Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for Screenwriters) [Paperback]

Barry Turner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for Screenwriters | Publication Date: January 8, 2008

From the writers, editors and compilers of the highly successful The Writer's Handbook comes the first edition of The Screenwriter's Handbook, an indispensible companion for everyone who commissions screenwriters, works with them or writes (or wants their chance to write) for the screen.
Containing thousands of entries covering every aspect of scriptwriting, with provocative articles and useful advice from leading representatives of the trade, this practical, straightforward guide, with indexes to aid quick searches, provides full details on the core markets and the way the television and film industries are going. In addition to the key areas of UK and US film and TV agents and production companies, writers' courses and circles, festivals, grants and prizes, the guide also offers invaluable expert advice on contracts, copyright, and taxation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barry Turner has worked on both sides of publishing, as an editor and marketing director and as an author. His recent work includes a radio play, travel articles, serializing books for The Times, and his book Countdown to Victory. As well as being editor of The Screenwriter's Handbook he has edited The Writer's Handbook for the last twenty years. He lives in north London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312379544
• ISBN-13: 978-0312379544
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,462,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unnecessary..., August 2, 2008

By 

kingseyeland "kingseyeland" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for all Screenwriters (Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for Screenwriters) (Paperback)

I checked this one out from the local library and found very little of use here. Aside from a few brief essays that reiterate information found elsewhere, this reads like a distilled version of Writer's Market or the Hollywood Creative Directory -- lots of addresses and phone numbers, and even some e-mails and web links. However, I found many listings to be out of date (already), and some others overlooked. For another $25, you can have one of the titles I just mentioned. Sure it's more money, but I'd rather have something that's up to date and revised annually. Turner seems to be attempting to re-invent the wheel here. With more chapters or sections on writing, this might be a decent resource, but as it is, this title falls into the ever-growing pile of unnecessary screenwriting books that simply rehash information found in other, better, more extensive titles.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay..., November 10, 2009

By 

K. Blankenship "Kay Bee" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for all Screenwriters (Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for Screenwriters) (Paperback)

This book is a good starting point for writers who want to be able to get their work out there. The majority of the book, in fact, is taken up by a lot of names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of production companies, societies, festivals, college courses, etc. Which is a good thing, if you are just working on your first screenplay.

However, if you are looking for a book that will tell you specific things such as how to format a screenplay, this is not your book. I recommend checking it out from a library and just getting the information you need out of it, instead of paying $18 for it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre motivational articles (a few) with mostly business references., June 19, 2008

By 

T. Hinshaw (portland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for all Screenwriters (Screenwriter's Handbook: The Essential Companion for Screenwriters) (Paperback)

If you are looking at a book that will teach you how to write an effective screenplay, this is not your book.
It lacks anything to do with the actual practice of writing a screen play.
It has however motivational articles that will motivate anyone to pursue screenwriting. You could probably spend an hour reading them at the bookstore. So don't waist your money!
If you want a very good reference for screenwriter clubs, agencies, schools etc. The lists are plentiful.
Again, this is not a book which teaches screenwriting period.