The American Film Institutes bestselling sreenwriting guide is now updated!Only the American Film Institute -- the countrys most prestigious film organization -- could offer this level of screenwriting expertise! Specially created by a top television programming executive and former instructor at the AFI film school, this bestselling screenwriting guide is now revised and updated to cover the latest techniques for crafting first-rate screenplays for film and TV. Professional, practical and totally authoritative, this outstanding reference is a favorite of aspiring screenwriters and their teachers. Contents include:- Innovative ideas for structuring the plot, developing characters, and building momentum- Professional guidance on marketing a screenplay- Concise encyclopedia of screenwriting techniquesDona Cooper, a senior television programming executive, has taught screenwriting at the AFI Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies in Los Angeles.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent take on writing good stories,
By DAMwriter "David Moore" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Writing Great Screenplays AFI (Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV) (Paperback)
Before I begin my praise for this book, let me make one note: despite the back cover and the PR, it does not give any guidance on script marketing. It is, however, true to the title - it is a solid primer on how to write great stories for the big and small screens.Rather than present a cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all approach to script development, Ms. Cooper offer solid theory and evidence regarding the elements of a good story, the active role of the audience, determining screenplay goals, etc. She presents a useful roller-coaster model of the story and a system of instruction, examples, and self-Q/A to help the reader/screenwriter approach his material on the macro- and micro-levels. Her ultimate aim is to match the speed, tempo and size of the roller-coaster to the desired story effect. This approach provides great flexibility and can accommodate most genres and personal styles. This is a good read and a valuable reference tool for any screenwriter's personal library. I will refer to it over and over again, especially during the re-write process (when inspiration is always needed!).
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for anyone remotely interested in screenwriting,
By Joe Cheng (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Writing Great Screenplays AFI (Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV) (Paperback)
If only every book was as well written as this one.... This book is one of the best books on screenwriting I've ever read for one simple reason: Clarity. The material in this book is presented in a wonderful "reader friendly" streamlined structure. Full of useful information yet straight and to the point. A great read for the beginning screenwriter.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great tool for writing and perfecting scripts!,
This review is from: Writing Great Screenplays AFI (Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV) (Paperback)
Dona Cooper takes a fresh and innoative approach to the screenwriting craft and presents material not found in other how-to books, such as the chapter that deals with structure. I recommend it to my screenwriting students! Marisa D'Vari, author, Script Magic.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
You sit down. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dramatic equation, story roller coaster, educated gut, momentum devices, dramatic center, story pillar, dramatic stakes, author credibility, same roller coaster, emotional build, author logic, cinematic stories, cinematic story, rooting interest, emotional proximity, pillar height Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lost Soul, Jurassic Park, Level of Normal Abilities, Lizzie Borden, Bermuda Triangle, Die Hard, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mary Tyler Moore, The X-Files, Blade Runner, Body Heat, James Bond, Jim Carrey, Natural Born Killers, The Day of the Jackal, The Terminator, Toy Story New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
You sit down. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dramatic equation, story roller coaster, educated gut, momentum devices, dramatic center, story pillar, dramatic stakes, author credibility, same roller coaster, emotional build, author logic, cinematic stories, cinematic story, rooting interest, emotional proximity, pillar height Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lost Soul, Jurassic Park, Level of Normal Abilities, Lizzie Borden, Bermuda Triangle, Die Hard, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mary Tyler Moore, The X-Files, Blade Runner, Body Heat, James Bond, Jim Carrey, Natural Born Killers, The Day of the Jackal, The Terminator, Toy Story New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
5
books
cite this book:
- Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect by Claudia H. Johnson in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Writing Treatments That Sell: How to Create and Market Your Story Ideas to the Motion Picture and TV Industry, Second Edition by Kenneth Atchity in Back Matter
- Promoting Your Acting Career by Glenn Alterman on page 164
- Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach in Back Matter
- Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach in Back Matter
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