Customer Reviews

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

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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 However, I found many listings to be out of date (already), and some others overlooked.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.

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.

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.