Product Details

• Format: Color, Limited Edition
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1.0
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: CS Publications, Inc.
• Run Time: 90.0 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CQCAQY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,389 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
If you want to send a message, call Western Union, the oft-quoted Samuel Goldwynism hallows story as the most important element of Hollywood screenwriting. Story is important, but writers write because they have something to say about the world. Learn how the language of film and drama conveys theme and ideas. This DVD shows how the intersection of all dramatic elements combines to create meaning. If youre aiming to write a masterpiece, start here. JIM MERCURIO produced the feature film Hard Scrambled, starring Kurtwood Smith and Richard Edson. He directed the feature film March which played at the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival. Ranked as one of the countrys top screenplay consultants, his clients include Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated writers. As a teacher, he has shepherded over 600 short films. He directed the original 41 DVDs of the Screenwriting Expo Seminar Series. He is a columnist for Creative Screenwriting. He contributed to the bonus material for Warner Bros. Dirty Harry series and the encyclopedia, 100 Years of American Film.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best in the series, March 18, 2008

By	K. Dwane "love4learning" (NYC, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The other reviewer just didn't get it. There's not an ounce of ego here, in fact, when Mercurio states the themes from his movie examples, he stresses that this is his interpretation, and yours may be different. He's more about looking at the dilemma and actions and then determining your theme from them. The zoo story was to underline a very important point that just flew way over his head.
Mercurio does suggest that it's for more advanced writers because as he states, "Before getting to theme you have to be a polished storyteller, know and innovate the genre you're writing in." Meaning, learn how to write good dialogue, tight scenes, dynamic characters etc. before addressing themes. I don't think this is far from what other writers would say in terms of having had to write a dozen screenplays before knowing what they were doing. Typically the Theme is discovered and developed after you have written the screenplay and this DVD does an excellent job of explaining how this is done by giving examples from such films as LA Confidential, Million Dollar Baby, Sophie's Choice, Eight Mile, etc. (vs. the beat to death use of Chinatown) and goes on to explain how subplots relate and can enhance the theme, which is a topic few if any instructors address.

5.0 out of 5 stars "The T Word: Theme" is Terrific!, July 10, 2007

By	Humsabit "humsabit" (California) - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this DVD to all serious writers in any field (even though it's primarily for screenwriters). As a writing student, one often hears instructors speak about theme, but it's always passed over in one or two sentences. Here, James Mercurio knowledgeably discusses and explains "Theme" at length. Mercurio speaks clearly and is easy to follow. It's a useful tool for writers who want an in depth look at theme.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars too much ego, March 13, 2008

By	lisnup - See all my reviews

the lecturer turns off the listener by cryptically disuading you unless you've already completed and polished 5 screenplays. Even if you've already done that -- you may be turned off by his fragmented train of thought (psychoanalysis -- his trip to the zoo -- his bad relationships...). Somewhere in all this jargon are a few basic principles on theme, but you have to put up with a lot of posturing to get to it. Speaking too rapidly, the lecture does not necessarily say alot. I would stick to the better lecture by Michael Ray Brown, and write from your heart.