Writing Short Films: Structure and Content for Screenwriters [Paperback]

Linda J. Cowgill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

This new edition has been completely updated and revised along with the addition of several new chapters. Currently, this title remains the best selling university text book on writing short film screenplays.

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Lone Eagle; Second Edition edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580650635
• ISBN-13: 978-1580650632
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Specifically About Short Films, September 18, 2007

By 

Raymond Belair (No. Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Short Films: Structure and Content for Screenwriters (Paperback)

While the subtitle of this book is accurate ("structure and content for screenwriters"), the main title is incredibly misleading. While many short films are used as examples, I can sum up what the book says about writing the short screenplay with: They must be focused, because they are short.

The information in the book about writing a story for film is informative and worthwhile, and could be applied to any form of storytelling. But, as I was looking for specific information about working in a short screenplay format, I found that this book has very little to offer on the subject.

4 stars as a book on story structure
0 stars as a book about writing short films

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent textbook for short and full length scriptwriting, April 27, 2003

By 

Wordsmith (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Short Films: Structure and Content for Screenwriters (Paperback)

I have used Linda Cowgill's book, Writing Short Films, for a three-hundred level course, which I have taught at the University of Arizona, for over four years. It continues to be an excellent basic text for my students even though I have read many of the other books on the market. Linda defines all the important tools of a writer and their uses within the craft. She uses many short films in the book to exemplify her points directly and easily. The short films are excellent references and are accessible for showing--which is a perfect visual teaching tool. Even though the title is for short scriptwriting, she talks about full length films in comparison and, of course, all of these elements and tools are equally important for the full length form. It remains my favorite reference book for my own writing of screenplays and recommend it as the best of the screenwriting books on the market.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...like striking gold, July 4, 2003

By 

Ashley Musgrave (Southampton, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Short Films: Structure and Content for Screenwriters (Paperback)

As Head of Film and Media Production at a British college I had been on the look-out for a long time for a book that would really excite aspiring screenwriters - and now I've found it. Anyone hoping to make their breakthrough short film should read this book cover to cover and see how successful filmmaking is dependent on strong scriptwriting. Linda Cowgill has a tremendous ability to illustrate the need for both structure and originality when writing for what is, in truth, a very difficult format to get right.

The book covers the entire writers journey from 'starting out' to producing a lean, focused, innovative screenplay. Through observing the impact it has had on new writers I would say that this book is in a league of its own.