Little Miss Sunshine: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Scripts Series) (Paperback)

~ Michael Arndt (Author), Jonathan Dayton (Foreword), Valerie Faris (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Loaded with extras, the official screenplay book tie-in to the uproarious American hit comedy from Fox Searchlight—a family on the verge of a breakdown.

In 2000, screenwriter Michael Arndt had no credits, no agents, no publishing history when he took a year off to write "a salable script" that got him an agent and a deal fourteen months later, and, five years after that, one of the big hits of 2006. Exclusive to this book are the complete shooting script, Arndt's introduction and scene notes about his filmmaking experience, and a humorous essay "How to Write a Sundance Hit in Nine Easy Steps." Also included are the full credits and a 12-page color photo section.

Brazenly satirical yet deeply human, Little Miss Sunshine introduces the Hoovers, whose trip from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach, California, to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation, and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture. A runaway hit at the Sundance Film Festival, where it played to standing ovations, the film strikes a nerve with everyone who's ever been awestruck by how their muddled families seem to make it after all.

The Hoover family members are played by Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin, Paul Dano, and Alan Arkin. When they pile into their rusted-out VW bus and head west on a three-day tragicomic journey to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, the entire misfit family will change in ways they could never imagine. 12-page color photo insert.

About the Author

Michael Arndt lives in New York City. Little Miss Sunshine is his first produced screenplay. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, renowned music video and documentary directors, make their feature film directorial debut with Little Miss Sunshine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557047707
• ISBN-13: 978-1557047700
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,233 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, March 30, 2007

By	Ruth Bell "Unexpected" (Burringbar, NSW. Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a delightful script. The shared goal of all the characters provides the reader with a warmth and investment in the characters individual journeys. It's so funny and touching. I also appreciated the scripts editing process that Arndt provides for us at the end of the screenplay. It is a valuable learning tool for those who are interested in writing screenplays.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, educational read, October 4, 2008

By	K. Wade "In2deep" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Little Miss Sunshine is one of very few movies that literally left me with my mouth hanging open as I left the theater, exclaiming about how well written and produced it was. Then I attended a screenwritnig lecture by Michael Arndt, and later had the opportunity to attend a screening of the movie where he answered questions. Fascinating guy who really understands his craft.

The Shooting Script is a great read, and Michael lets us peak behind the script at sections that were changed in the actual shooting, and several times comments on how wise the directors were when they cut out scenes that are in the script. He also reveals places where ad libs added to the spontaneity of the finished product. The book is fun to read, not just because it's a great script, but because you'll learn about the craft of screenwriting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Little Miss Sunshine, February 20, 2007

By	Digital Content Exec "Filmmaker" (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Entertaining and heartwarming. A nice, sweet movie with many important insights into human values of self-worth, self-esteem, and family solidarity.