Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to [Paperback]

Michael Hauge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 1991

The up-to-date, acclaimed guide to writing and selling screenplays to today′s film and TV markets. This is the new screenwriter′s bible.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

If you've got a half-finished screenplay in the drawer, these two unflaggingly optimistic additions to the how-to literature will make you want to dig it out and get to work. Aimed at beginners, both are by academics who not only teach the subject, but are professional screenwriters themselves. In agreement on most of the basic points, each gives a solid discussion of the craftcharacters, story development, etc.and industry; lays out the all-important details of format; then tells how to market the finished product. Hauge's volume is a detailed manual offering a step-by-step methodology, a scriptual analysis of a hit film, The Karate Kid , and handy chapter summaries. Walter's is more general and breezily written. Both authors argue that screenwriting is a developable craft rather than an art and stress the overpowering need for strong-willed commitment to achieve success. They also agree that, despite all the high-paid, well-established hacks, especially in TV, if you don't have talent, perseverance, imagination, and some luck, you're in the wrong field. For those libraries that can buy only one more title in this crowded field, Hauge is the preferred choice. Two other recent books are Jurgen Wolff and Kerry Cox's Successful Scriptwriting, Writer's Digest, 1988; and Ben Brady and Lance Lee's The Understructure of Writing for Film & Television, Univ. of Texas Pr., 1988. The latter seems aimed at replacing Brady's Keys to Writing for Television and Films as the standard college text. Ed.David Bartholomew, NYPL
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“What Michael Hauge does seems quite simple but is in fact quite rare. He takes your ideas and makes them better.” (Christopher Murphey, screenwriter: The Karate Kid (2010); The Unsaid; Body of Proof )

““…When I pick up the phone for help, Michael Hauge is the call I make.” (Shane Black, Screenwriter: Lethal Weapon 1 & 2; The Last Boy Scout; The Long Kiss Goodnight; Writer/Director: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang )

“There are five essential books that every person who wants to write screenplays should read. One of them is Writing Screenplays That Sell, and the other four don’t matter.” (Terry Rossio, Co-writer: Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2, 3 & 4; Shrek; Aladdin; The Mask of Zorro; Déjà Vu )

“Michael Hauge is a story master, and this book is an absolute must have for anyone serious about telling great stories for the screen.” (DeVon Franklin, Vice-President of Production, Columbia Pictures )

“If you’re serious about becoming a screenwriter, start by reading this book.” (Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter, The Karate Kid and The Power of One )

“The most practical and best single book on the subject.” (Hollywood Scriptwriter )

“No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.” (Will Smith (Men in Black; Ali; The Pursuit of Happyness; Hitch; I Am Legend; Hancock) )

“The craftsman’s blueprint for anyone who is serious about writing or developing good screenplays.” (Roger Birnbaum, Chairman, Spyglass Entertainment; former President of Production, Twentieth Century Fox )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 325 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference (September 25, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062725009
• ISBN-13: 978-0062725004
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beginners start with this book, March 22, 2001

By 

MISTER SJEM "sonofhotpie" (CALIF BAY AREA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to (Paperback)

This was fortunately one of the first books I started with and it was a dandy. Much better than Syd Field and several of the other starting books. Hague remains upbeat (something you need to break in to screenwriting) and covers all the main points and questions for starting out. Even more important, he talks about why you should and should not be doing it and living a good life.

When you're read for something intermediate, check out Armer's WRITING THE SCREENPLAY and Thom's THE BIG DEAL (about spec scripts that sold in the last decade or so).

And, for advanced techniques go to: Lagos Egri's THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING (more for plays but it does apply) and McKee's STORY . . . and, of course, the superlative WORDPLAYER.COM with free articles by two working screenwriters . .. Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best first book on screenwriting you should read!, October 22, 2005

By 

Hollywood writer "Hollywood" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to (Paperback)

Michael Hauge is one of the top screenwriting consultants in Hollywood. If you're interested in becoming a screenwriter or just curious about the process professional Hollywood screenwriters go through, this is the book for you. It's considered an industry standard by many of the top film schools in New York & L.A. In clear and simple language, Hauge lays out the basic fundamentals of screenwriting. This is a great book for both the novice screenwriter as well as the working professional looking to reacquaint themselves with the fundamentals of screenwriting.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book for screenwriters!, September 19, 2006

By 

Jan Wilson (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide for Writing and Selling to (Paperback)

I read this book about ten years ago when I was an aspiring screenwriter. I am now able to make a living at screenwriting and I have to say that I have used Michael Hauge's book as a guide for nearly everything I've written. It has become my Bible of Screenwriting.

This is the perfect book for beginner screenwriters as well as those who have been writing for a long time. Beginners will find all of the basic building blocks needed for a solid script and great characters, and those who have been writing for years will probably read some things and go "aha, that's the part I've been missing!" I've created my own charts for when I start a new script and I base them on everything I learned in this book. Without this book it would have been a long, hard road to learning how to be a good writer.

Michael not only explains the different components necessary for a good story, but gives examples which is extremely helpful. And for those of you exclaiming "but then my stories will be too formulaic if I follow 'rules' too much!" -- that just isn't true. Once you learn and use all of the components of a great story that Michael teaches you, you'll realize that most - if not all - great movies pretty much follow the patterns Michael talks about in this book. Your scripts will be solid - structurally, thematically, and emotionally. You'll learn how to make layered, believable characters that your audience will root for.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in screenwriting.