The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and Elements of a Screenplay [Paperback]

David Howard (Author), Edward Mabley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1995

In The Tools of Screenwriting, David Howard and Edward Mabley illuminate the essential elements of cinematic storytelling, and reveal the central principles that all good screenplays share. The authors address questions of dramatic structure, plot, dialogue, character development, setting, imagery, and other crucial topics as they apply to the special art of filmmaking.

Howard and Mabley also demonstrate how, on a practical level, the tools of screenwriting work in sixteen notable films, including Citizen Cane, E.T., One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Rashomon, The Godfather, North by Northwest, Chinatown, and sex, lies, and videotape.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A comprehensive guide to writing screenplays by an experienced screenwriter and a respected writing teacher. Along with sections on the sreenwriter's craft, basic storytelling, and the parts and objectives of a screenplay, the book is distinguished by detailed analyses of sixteen successful films' screenplays, including the likes of E.T., Some Like It Hot, North by Northwest, Citizen Kane, and Annie Hall. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"David Howard calls this book 'a writer's guide.' I think it's a wonderful and indispensable producer's guide to story, storytelling, and screenwriting."—Lawrence Turman, producer of The Graduate, Running Scared, The Flim-Flam Man, and other films

"What David Howard has done with The Tools of Screenwriting is to reveal for me and for all readers just how stories work; he shows that there are no absolute rules, but there are principles that can help a beginning writer gain understanding of all the elements that go into the creation of a 'good story well told.'"—Diane Keaton

"The Tools of Screenwriting is the best primer on the craft, far better than the usual paint-by-the-numbers sort of books that abound."—Frank Pierson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Cool Hand Luke, Dog Day Afternoon, Presumed Innocent, and A Star is Born

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312119089
• ISBN-13: 978-0312119089
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful! Brilliant! Amazing!, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and Elements of a Screenplay (Paperback)

Forget all of the other books out there...or, buy the other books, but make this one first on your list. Howard and Mabley are both accomplished professional writers and they know their tools of the craft, which they now share with you. This book succeeds immensely simply because it lists the elements of a screenplay and tells how each is best used and why. It has all of the basic elements: Dialogue, Dramatic Irony, etc. But ever heard of "Preparation and Aftermath", "Future and Advertising", "Planting and Payoff", or "Plausibility"? If not, then learn how to include them in YOUR screenplay to make it better, more exciting, and more fulfilling in a dramatic and universal way. Absolutely the best book on screenwriting. Period. Buy it now. I have read it a countless number of times and each time I learn something new or it spurs my imagination to create something new in the world of my screenplay. Please do yourself a favor and get a hold of this book. A masterpiece of screenplay instruction.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ********** TEN STARS! ABSOLUTELY BUY THIS BOOK FIRST!, September 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and Elements of a Screenplay (Paperback)

This book is ABSOLUTELY the best on the subject. And I've read _all_ of them: Field, Froug, Hunter, Seger, Halperin, and many more. The analyses of clasic and newer films are exhaustive and the "Tools" section provides an indispensible guide for any writer. It sits right next to my computer. When I sell my first screen play, David Howard will be the first one I call to say "Thank you."

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An indispensable Tool., December 13, 2001

By 

F.Pabzcacs "from the top of my hat" (Plano, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and Elements of a Screenplay (Paperback)

I can't praise enough this book. The First section explain the Basic about Storytelling, the Second section expose The Screenwriting Tools, the Third Section from the page 100 to the end provide an Analyses of 16 Films using the following tools/elements:

Protagonist and Objective, Conflict, Obstacles, Premise and Opening, Main tension, Culmination and Resolution, Theme, Unity, Exposition, Characterization, Development of the History, Dramatic Irony, Preparation and Aftermath, Planting and Payoff, Plausibility, Action and Activity, Dialogue, Visuals, Dramatic Scenes.

My conclusions:
1) The information is clear and concise explaining the essential elements of a script
2) The Analyses Section provides examples in depth
3) The book is cheap

Is a favorite between my 12 books about Writing, you can't go wrong with this bok even if you are a Pro because the analyses of the films provide you a comparative of the central principles of a good movie.