Customer Reviews

Script Partners: What Makes Film and TV Writing Teams Work

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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.

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'!

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.

This book is a great read. I've looked at a lot of screenwriting how-to books, and this is one of the best. Partly because it doesn't read like a how-to book. Instead, it just concentrates on some really good interviews with scriptwriting partners, including legends and newcomers (they've got a "filmography" in the back of the book to help separate out who's who). It's not just for people considering writing with partners - it's for anyone who's interested in what it's like to write professionally. And it's funny. There are terrific stories about the unusual ways in which writers brainstorm and create scripts together (one team even used a Ouija board to contact the original subject of their historical drama - establishing a script writing team with the dead!), and about how writers deal with disagreements between themselves as well as the studios. And the business material is presented about as clearly as any book I've seen on the subject. If you want to know what it's like to live and work as a screenwriter, this book tells you.

Many screenwriters are constantly looking for Mr. or Ms. Right - the writing partner who will make their professional life heaven on earth. Sharing the money and fame are a small price to pay for the friendship, support and extra creativity which a good partnership brings. But finding the right writing partner is almost as difficult as finding the right spouse. While Script Partners doesn't provide any magic formulas to help you find your dream collaborator, it examines the entire process in great detail.
Claudia Johnson and Matt Stevens are themselves a screenwriting duo and have interviewed some twenty teams of co-writers for this book. They've included all the biggies (Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Harold Ramis and Peter Tolan, Woody Allen's collaborator Marshall Brickman) and quite a few lesser-known writing teams. Chapters include finding the right partner, solving time and place issues, and all aspects of the actual writing (although the theoretical information mentioned here doesn't differ from the usual advice given to solo writers). Johnson and Stevens also use a lot of examples from their own experience, which proves you cannot always depend on first impressions - as they started out hating each other.
The most valuable chapters in this book are the ones dealing with the personal difficulties inherent in the creative process, and the business side of things. Here, we get some valuable advice on how to handle the many problems which will crop up in almost every writing partnership. For anyone considering a partnership, this book will be a great help.

This book exceeded my expectations and helped me discover better writing through partnership. I'd previously attempted screenwriting with a partner (with limited success), but had no model to base the partnership on. As a result of the interviews and examples the book provides, I was more confident that I could find a collaborator whose style more appropriately complimented my own. Needless to say, I found a screenwriting partner and through trial and error (with the book as a guide) we explored different styles of working, finally settling into a routine that has not only helped our writing improve, but has increased our productivity by leaps and bounds.

I highly recommend that you pick up this book if you find your writing hits a dead end ? even if you don?t, it's the only book of its kind, a great read, and definitely worth a look.

SCRIPT PARTNERS can easily be expanded to a larger audience. In gathering information from other outstanding writing teams and their own experiences in working together, Claudia & Matt have captured the essence of the creative/collaborative relationship. Within the first few pages of the book, I was transported to an earlier experience in my career with another type of "work marriage"- co-therapy. The parallel between writing teams and co-therapy is quickly apparent. Both assist in the development of their characters/clients; both find themselves caught up in their own issues; both misread their character/client and discover that they are going down the wrong path; both experience the sadness and joy of discovery and human emotion. And (SCRIPT PARTNERS p.1) "we both know on some level that we could do this by ourselves...we both could, but we're better together and prefer it that way."
As a therapist, if you've never experienced the joys of co-therapy or found solutions for the struggles, read this book. Claudia & Matt have given us a map that guides our partnerships through the ups and downs of a "work marriage". Don't miss it, it's an insightful, humorous, and refreshing book.

This book is orginal, timely, and indispensible. So many great insights into the collaborative process, including the "third voice," which is what filmmaking is all about, but seldom spoken of. The notes on accepting differences and working together toward making the script better are encouraging and inspiring. As someone who collaborates regularly, I'm finding the book more of a resource than a one-time-read. For anyone who is writing, or is thinking about writing with another person, this book is it!

With humor and insight, Johnson and Stevens delve into the psychology and pragmatics of creative collaboration. The authors (who are themselves screenwriting partners) have compiled anecdotes and advice from the best screenwriting teams in the industry on topics including brainstorming, diplomacy and respect, balancing one another's strengths and weaknesses, and the business aspects of the liaison. Additionally, Script Partners contains valuable information on the craft of screenwriting in general, and how to partner with anyone on anything.

This warm and witty book was a pleasure to read.
Definitely a must read for anyone involved or contemplating a co-writing career.
It has given me a new insight into the collaborative process--the challenges that come from joining creative forces.