Hot Property: Screenwriting in the New Hollywood (Paperback)

by Christopher Keane (Author) "I ask, "Seen any bad movies lately?..." (more)
Key Phrases: evil divorce lawyer, scene breakdown, log line, Victor Ferris, Plot Point, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Getting published in any genre but screenwriting may seem like a cinch after reading Keane's book, which is meant to steer new writers through the cutthroat world. The author, who has written more than a dozen novels and screenplays (Dangerous Company, etc.), starts off by asking readers questions like why they want to enter this business, and what kinds of movies they like, since those preferences often indicate where their passion and talent lie. Once this foundation is set, the remainder of the first half of the book proceeds to detail techniques such as plot and character, with several examples from real scripts providing guidance. Throughout, Keane relates many personal anecdotes from his own career and includes a chapter about the thrills and horrors of breaking into Hollywood. The book's second half dictates the full script of the screenplay Don't Kiss Me There, which Keane wrote, "to show readers what my thought process was in writing the script." Both aspiring screenwriters and beginners should find many helpful tips in this frank but encouraging book.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
A working screenwriter tells how to cash in on the newest Hollywood trends.

The technology of filmmaking has changed drastically-and so have the rules for making it in Hollywood. Screenwriter Christopher Keane's groundbreaking step-by-step screenwriting workshop clues every writer in on how to shift their focus to meet the wants of a new independent Hollywood and still remain true to a personal vision.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425190404
• ISBN-13: 978-0425190401
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #505,637 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unimpressed., June 17, 2006

By	Garfinkel (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

I just began the book, but I already feel angered by how poorly written, and uninformative it is so far. I have read the first few chapters, and a good chuck of Keane's included original screenplay. This screenplay is utterly awful on so many levels. The formmating it outdated. Action descriptions are often written in ways you cannot show. A total no-no. The characters are shallow. The dialogue is banal, and does not flow. Most of the time, I do not even get the sense the characters are talking to each other. As for the first few chapters, lines like "Celluloid snakes through you body." Um. What? That doesn't make sense, and mixes metaphors. Cellulod and snakes? Whoah. Followed by "Your blood runs at frames per second." Silly, just silly. Finally, "Your eyeballs are projectors." Even as a metaphor, it doesn't work. Eyeballs take in information, not project out. You get the point. Don't waste your time on this drivel. Read some other books like Blake Snyder's Save the Cat!, or How NOT to Write a Screenplay.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you write screenplays YOU NEED TO BUY HOT PROPERTY!, November 4, 2003

By	"mattretherford" (Las Cruces, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

I can't say enough about this new screenwriting book... I have just about every screenwriting book ever written and some of them are really good and I refer to them quite often...

Having said that...

HOT PROPERTY blew me away! Christopher Keane explains all the little idiosyncracies you, as a screenwriter for the New Hollywood, need to be aware of.

There are a lot of problem solving ideas in the book which is what I liked best... Turning points for your characters, plot, structure, etc., that you need to look at before completing and sending out your script.

Although I have been writing screenplays for a few years now, I think even new and old screenwriters could gain a lot from this book. I cannot recommend it enough. The book blew me away so much that I even searched for the author on the web to see if he does script analysis... And, he does... A FANTASTIC READ! YOU WILL WEAR THIS BOOK OUT BY REFERING BACK TO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Matt

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keane has created a masterpiece! , January 12, 2005

By	R. Ferguson (01) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Keane has created a masterpiece!

If you are new to screenwriting or even thinking about writing a screenplay Hot Property is the book for you. Mr. Keane has written an excellent book that is a must have to any screenwriter's library. What makes Hot Property stands out is that it is created for the Hollywood of today. Does this mean that Keane tells you how to write mindless drivel to impress the style over substance MTV crowd? No, Keane says you should try to create low budget screenplays that are built on emotion and great writing. Think Good Will Hunting, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and American Beauty. Not only is it very hard for a new writer to have blockbuster big budgeted screenplays produce but Hollywood is in a little recession right now hence the sudden influx of romantic comedies and horror movies they are the cheapest to make.

Hot Property is set up in a very basic format. Instead of chapters Keane has classes making one feel that they are attending a screenwriting class or seminar. Keane's explanation of Situation, Concept, Story and Plot is clear and very simple something that the new screenwriter can understand.

Besides having a screenplay at the end of the book in which Keane breaks down the creation of a screenplay, the next thing that gives Hot Property a leg up on other screenwriting books is the chapter on creating treatments. Even the most season of screenwriters are not happy with doing treatments but the way Keane sets it up in his book by using examples of his students, showing what they did right and wrong are amazing to say the least.

While there are a few other books that maybe are a little better in the overall creation of a screenplay ie... The Screenwriter's Bible, which teaches you how to write a spec script, which is actually what, you will be creating... Hot Property is still a book not to overlook especially if you are new to screenwriting because it is a book that you will refer back to from time to time. Which makes Hot Property a good purchase.