Screenwriting: Step by Step [Paperback]

Wendy J Henson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205418295 | ISBN-13: 978-0205418299 | Publication Date: October 11, 2004 | Edition: 1

Screenwriting: Step by Step is user-friendly basic introduction to successful screenwriting for the student and novice screenwriter. The text covers twelve steps to good screenwriting. It teaches students how to choose a theme, establish a central conflict and write a story that works as drama. The book is divided into two sections: “First Steps” which teaches students the essentials of writing drama; and “Next Steps” which teaches the essentials of writing drama expressly for film. The author's wealth of real-world experience is evident in the text's practical advice to beginning screenwriters.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Screenwriting: Step by Step is a user-friendly, basic introduction to successful screenwriting for the student and novice screenwriter.

The text covers twelve steps to good screenwriting. It teaches students how to choose a theme, establish a central conflict, and write a story that works as drama. The book is divided into two sections: “First Steps,” which teaches students the essentials of writing drama, and “Next Steps,” which teaches the essentials of writing drama expressly for film. The author's wealth of real-world experience is evident in the text's practical advice to beginning screenwriters.

Features

• Explains cinematic principles in clear, simple, conversational prose, helping to eliminate confusion for students and jumpstart their writing process.
• Includes a separate chapter on formatting so that students can write a script that is technically correct as well as artistically creative.
• Offers exercises at the end of each chapter that help students clarify and reinforce the fundamentals of writing for film.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 1 edition (October 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205418295
• ISBN-13: 978-0205418299
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Needed Blueprint, February 9, 2005

By 

SCOTT R WEBER (Aliso Viejo, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screenwriting: Step by Step (Paperback)

Short. Simple and Sweet. The editorial review above is dead on. I've been writing screenplays for five years and have read most of the "definitive" books on story, structure, theme, premise etc. etc.. This book should be the first book any aspiring screenwriter should buy. In easy step by step instructions the author not only explains but illustrates the basic elements of what makes a screenplay, how to do it, how to find your protagonist/antagonist, how to create the needed conflict and how to string these together to create a coherent story and script. She doesn't waste a lot of time on specific genre or nuance like most screenwriting books do. If you follow her steps you will have a script when your done. It won't win an oscar but who's first script does? Highly recommend for beginners and the advanced alike. Finding a tool that clarifies the elements of story structure, design and character dynamics is always welcome in my life. Sometimes simple is best!