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Complete Screenwriter's Manual: A Comprehensive Reference of Format and Style, The 1st Edition

by Stephen Bowles (Author), Ronald Mangravite (Author), Peter Zorn (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars 19 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0321397935
ISBN-10: 0321397932
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Longman; 1 edition (March 17, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0321397932
  • ISBN-13: 978-0321397935
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.6 x 10.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsYou must buy this book if you want to write scripts!
By Scott FS VINE VOICE on June 21, 2011
This is a no-nonsense, bare-bones reference book on the technical aspects of writing a screenplay. One thing everyone says is that agents and studios and actors won't read a script if it isn't in the correct format. There are a lot of little tricks of the trade that the writer must adhere too. And that's not a real burden; people who make the decision whether to buy your script or not don't want to be confused by the format, or have to puzzle out what you are trying to write. If that happens, your script probably won't even be read.

You won't be getting a book that deals with the motivation of writing a script, nor a book that holds your hand and tells you what sells and what doesn't. There are no breathing exercises, and no psychological babble as to why you have writer's block. Instead, this tells you how to set up your screenplay so that it will get read.

I've written a number of scripts and found this to be very, very helpful. It was required reading in the scriptwriting class I recently took. The teacher, a veteran of Hollywood who has sold a number of scripts, thinks this book is the best of the bunch. I found it valuable.

Highly recommended. You will refer to it often when writing your screenplay, until you have committed the valuable parts to memory.
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5.0 out of 5 starsIf you want even a chance to sell a script, buy & read this book & do what it says...
By Joshua Jordan on January 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
The Complete Screenwriter's Manual is an absolute must for the would-be screenwriter. This text gives the exact format that every script submitted to any agent or studio in Hollywood for review should follow - if you send a script that deviates from this model, it is highly unlikely (even more so than average) that you will receive any offer for your script, let alone get an agent or studio to even touch it.

With the piles of scripts agents and Hollywood studios get on the average day, the slightest of errors can be enough for your script to hit the trash. That precludes that you haven't made the error of creasing one of the pages or allowing a smudge of ink on the cover of your manuscript. The simple fact of the matter is that screenwriting is a profession and expects professionalism. If you cannot bring together a presentable script for anyone in the business to look at, you are not a professional, nor will screenwriting be your profession.

Beyond mere format, however, the Manual is quite informative on the conventions in writing used within the normal script - another area where one screw up can send your script to the trash - e.g., one must know the correct way in which to close a scene; if not done correctly or done awkwardly, then, again, the script is junk, even though the ideas contained within might be absolute brilliance; if you have zero credits to your name and generated zero dollars via screenwriting, it simply is not worth an agent's or studio's time to continue reading because the risk is too high. Most of the hurdles in format and conventions can be overcome through using the advice in this book. If you study the technique diligently, use correct formatting, use proper conventions, and have a compelling story and interesting plot, you can make a sale.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Great Easy Access Reference
By Mollie on January 5, 2007
I recommend this as a reference for anyone who wants to find answers quickly. I have several screenplay formatting books and this one is definitely one of my faves. I don't think that any one book is the be-all-and-end -all guide to writing screenplays, but this is a must have for you collection. It allows you to reference information without searching for hours and having to read all of the preceeding information.
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5.0 out of 5 starsEXCELENT REFERENCE TO WRITE SCRIPTS
By H. Figueredo on January 9, 2007
I was in the process of writting a script and had lots of questions on the Hollywood format, almost all were answer by this excelent book.

Do not look in here for dramatical structure, this you need to look for somewere else.
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5.0 out of 5 starsPerfect Companion
By Arthur H. Roach on August 5, 2012
Verified Purchase
Don't let your natural talents go to waste because the reader doesn't recognize it. I can emphasize hardly enough the importance of assimilating the content of this book in order to present your great idea in a format that the professionals know how to read and grasp quickly. Once you own this book, it will remain at arm's length at all times.
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5.0 out of 5 starsComprehensive formatting guide
By Kat Mandu on November 19, 2011
Verified Purchase
I teach screenwriting (beginning level) at a local university, and I assign this as the text for the course. I have used it for 4 years.

I have found the Zorn et al. book to be a comprehensive formatting guide. The formatting instructions cover just about every situation that you (or screenwriting students, as it turns out) can think of -- slug line variations (including internal slug lines), telephone conversations, car scenes, dreams, fantasies, voiceovers, imaginary characters, character introductions, etc. The final chapter in the book is devoted to common format mistakes.

The visual layout of how do's and don'ts are presented is easy to grasp and minimizes confusion.

Finally, the price of this edition is really great for my students, who are used to being dinged outrageous amounts for their college texts. I promise them that they will get more than their money's worth in using the book over the course of the semester they are taking my class, and that should they continue to write screenplays beyond that, they'll get so much use out of the book it is one of the best investments in their craft that they could make.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Stimulating. Practical.

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

gave to granddaughter she found it very good

Published 14 months ago by marie quinn
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good

Published 18 months ago by Alla
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great reference book for screenwriting! Excellent info.

Published 19 months ago by Wounded Zebra
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Quick Ship, Just as described

Published 21 months ago by lori shaw
5.0 out of 5 starsThis books rocks

This book blew me away and it was one of the best one. Get it while it is hot. WOW

Published on January 3, 2014 by Joanne C. Laplante
5.0 out of 5 starsComplete Screenwriter's Manual

Highly recommend this to any screenwriter, beginner or seasoned professional. Lots of helpful information for the specifics of scriptwriting. Great book to have on your shelf.

Published on June 19, 2013 by Comedy34
5.0 out of 5 starsStunningly comprehesive

A lot of screenwriting books cover the basics of formatting, and many of those are valuable because they're newer, and yes, the style changes. Read more

Published on April 24, 2013 by James C. Parker
5.0 out of 5 starscomplete screenwriters manual

This manual was concise, well written, well organized and contained an invaluable amount of information that any screenwriter can use. The font was large and could be easily read. Read more

Published on November 8, 2012 by BorderBum
5.0 out of 5 starsThe complete screenwriter's manual

Just what I was looking for. Proper formatting is essential for the professional appearance of a screenplay--to grab the interest of agents and producers. Read more

Published on November 5, 2012 by Marianne Y. Ray

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