Script Partners: What Makes Film and TV Writing Teams Work [Paperback]

Claudia Johnson (Author), Matt Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

This book brings together the experience, knowledge, techniques, and wisdom of many of our most successful writing teams for film and television. Includes interviews with successful collaborators from film and TV.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Claudia Johnson was the first recipient of the PEN/Newmanfs Own First Amendment Award for her efforts against censorship. She is also a writer and screenwriter in resident at Florida State Universityfs Film School and shares two homes with her family in Live Oak and Tallahassee, Florida.

Matt Stevens is the president of his own construction consulting firm, Stevens Construction Institute, Inc. He has been working with contractors as a management consultant since 1994. He has more than 30 years of experience overall, including as a specialty contractor and general contractor. Stevens has worked with dozens of clients and conducted hundreds of seminars across the country. He worked as a management consultant with FMI Corporation from 1997-2002. He earned an undergraduate degree in construction management and an MBA. Stevens writes a monthly newsletter for his Web site (www.stevensci.com); his blog, the "Construction Contractor's Digest, " contains 150 articles (www.contractorsblog.com); and he has a regular column in "Contractor" magazine. His e-learning Web site is www.contructioncbt.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941188752
• ISBN-13: 978-0941188753
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Addition to Any Writer's Library, August 5, 2005

By 

Anonymous - See all my reviews

This review is from: Script Partners: What Makes Film and TV Writing Teams Work (Paperback)

In the interest of full disclosure, I should say first that Matt Stevens and I are long-time friends. That noted, I can honestly say that "Screen Partners: What Makes Film and TV Writing Teams Work" is one of the most useful and entertaining books on writing that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few. By focusing on how screenwriting teams operate, Johnson and Stevens provide not only a view into the inner workings of the collaborative artistic relationship, but also an original, engaging and illuminating look at the craft of screenwriting. Any working or would-be screenwriting team can certainly benefit by reading (and re-reading) this text, while even the most dedicated "go it alone" soloist may be inspired to keep his/her eyes open for the right writing partner after reading this book.

Writing in a personable and humorous style, Johnson and Stevens generously share what they've learned about collaboration during the course of their own artistic partnership, and they extensively quote other working writers and writing teams that they interviewed for the book. Occasionally, scenes or snippets from finished scripts are included to further illuminate certain points.

The book follows a clear, straightforward structure as Johnson and Stevens explore collaborative screenwriting from every angle. First, they focus the hows and whys, with three chapters that identify the various mental and creative benefits of collaboration, explain how writers go about finding appropriate partners, and explore how teams decide when, where and how to get the actual writing done. The middle section of the book focuses on the work itself, with four chapters dedicated to choice of project, character development, story development and structure, and drafting of the script. The last two chapters address a range of creative and business issues that every writing team should seriously consider up-front, from how to handle disagreements to how to split the money to how to part if the collaboration ends. Additional material includes useful checklists of "Screen Partner Points" that follow each chapter as well as the to-be-expected Introduction, Afterword, Filmography, etc.

While a fast reader can make pretty quick work of this book, it's chock-full of thoughtful, useful material that screenwriters and screenwriting teams can return to again and again for support, ideas and inspiration.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Pleasure!, November 12, 2004

By 

Hippie2MARS "Leslie M." (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Script Partners: What Makes Film and TV Writing Teams Work (Paperback)

Let's be honest here. Although I may toy with the idea of writing a great screenplay, the truth is that I probably never will. That being said, I must say that this book was an absolute delight to read! The 'insider' stories were funny and fascinating. I found myself reveling in the anecdotes and in the authors' self-deprecating humor. I thought I'd find the book mildly interesting, since I'm not really and truly in the industry. However, I was pleased to discover that the material was thoroughly engaging and had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. In the event that I ever decide to get serious about writing, this book will be an invaluable source of information. Thank you Matt and Claudia...for giving us an definitive alternative to sitting in front of a computer screen just waiting for wisdom to spring forth! I am quite sure I will never again underestimate the value of a good kick in the pants (nor the unwavering support) from a 'script partner'!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't put it down, April 7, 2003

By 

Nancy E. Kissam "underdog" (Mt. Washington, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Script Partners: What Makes Film and TV Writing Teams Work (Paperback)

Often script writing how-to books are intimidating and off putting. They make the reader feel as though writing is impossible and scary whereas Johnson and Stevens make me feel encouraged. This book is written in such a welcoming and conversational tone that as one reviewer put it, I too feel as though I am chatting with the writers, wine in hand, with a warm fire as background music. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is venturing into the world as a writer. If you have a writing partner, you'll be further convinced that the duet is the way to go. If you're writing solo, you'll soon be shopping for a partner.