Screenwriting Updated: New (and Conventional) Ways of Writing for the Screen [Paperback]

Linda Aronson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2001

Today's screenwriter must be adept at today's popular yet often complex and unconventional script forms, such as the parallel storytelling of Pulp Fiction and Magnolia, the multiple protagonist narrative of American Beauty, and the complex flashback forms of The Usual Suspects and The Sweet Hereafter. Becoming comfortable with and skilled in such modern script forms is the focus of Screenwriting Updated, which identifies basic parallel structures, clearly explains how and why they work (or fail to work), and establishes the basic principles of their construction. These modern forms are presented in tandem with and in relation to tried-and-true, traditional screenwriting forms, rendering unconventional structures as easily grasped as conventional ones. Unlike any other screenwriting book, Screenwriting Updated combines solid, basic screenwriting craft with a thorough presentation of very contemporary script structures. The result is a unique, wide-ranging, in-depth screenwriting text and do-it-yourself script-doctoring manual suitable for both seasoned and novice writers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fabulous book that deals with the creative thinking necessary to write." -- Mario Andreacchio, director/writer/producer, Napoleon, Young Blades

"Linda Aronson provides screenwriters with invaluable detailed strategies to lay bare the workings of the craft." -- Jane Scott, producer, Shine, Crocodile Dundee

About the Author

Linda Aronson

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Press; 1st Silman-James ed edition (March 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879505592
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505599
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Grateful For This Book, July 26, 2003

By 

UBG (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screenwriting Updated: New (and Conventional) Ways of Writing for the Screen (Paperback)

I have seen virtually everything out there and for me this is simply the best of the bunch. Linda Aronson has put so much that is practical into this book, that I am actually grateful to her. More than that, I am a bit in awe of her intelligence and generosity. I have never seen so much excellent advice in one book about the creative process of writing, the interplay of what she calls vertical and lateral thinking. I simply don't have the time to really explain all that is incredible about this book-I'm using it right now to write a radio drama and I have to get back to work. (obviously,the book's advice applies). Check it out-it may speak to you. For me, Linda Aronson is a supremely gifted teacher. Ah, the joys of clarity.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete "how to" course in a single volume, December 13, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screenwriting Updated: New (and Conventional) Ways of Writing for the Screen (Paperback)

Award winning screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Linda Aronson draws upon her many years of professional experience and expertise to present Screenwriting Updated: New (And Conventional) Ways Of Writing For The Screen, a singularly useful and "user friendly" compendium of advice, examples, tips, tricks, and techniques on writing scripts for television and film. Sections cover such topics as Getting Ideas, Narrative Structure, and dialogue writing. Sample scenes abound, clearly illustrating various writing principles and rendering the concepts in concrete, unmistakable clarity. A complete "how to" course in a single volume, Screenwriting Updated is very highly recommended for both aspiring and active screenwriters.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and logical, September 12, 2006

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Cork Bibliophile (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screenwriting Updated: New (and Conventional) Ways of Writing for the Screen (Paperback)

The best book on screenwriting I've seen. It provides a clear and intuitive way of looking at narrative structure where others make structure appear merely arbitrary. In addition it is one of the only books (if not the only book) that deals practically with writing non-linear narrative structures seen in such films as Shine, Memento, and Pulp Fiction.