For decades, Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434 class at UCLA has been the premier screenwriting course, launching a generation of the industry's most frequently produced writers. Here, he shares the secrets of his course on the screenwriting process by actually writing an original script, step by step, that appears in the book.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
easier said than done, November 23, 2008
By
Paul EhrmannThis is as good a book as there is of the dozens on screenwriting. It won't write your script for you, but will certainly help look at complted work in a constructvive way.
cringeworthy, July 9, 2008
By
Dan Petter (Katy, TX United States)
This book's title should be - "How to write a formulaic TV movie of the week screenplay"
Quote from the book:
"...is the main reason why flashbacks, flashforwards, and narration are generally undesirable as storytelling devices today. These devices call the audience's attention to the fact that they are watching a movie..."
-Sorry Lew, this may be true in writing flavor of the week made for TV films (which is what Lew is famous for) which thrive on mundane factoids and hype from news stories, but you are simply wrong. Gee, lew, what could have made them realize that they are watching a movie, perhaps that they ARE STARING AT A FREAKING BOX ON THE WALL? This guy is a completely inept buffoon. I agree that flashforwards are generally useless, but flashbacks and narration are very useful tools which can enrich a good story.
In another section, he defines what a melodrama is:
"Melodrama is most simply a story in which guns are available to solve the character's problems."
"Melodramas nearly always have chase sequences in their running screen time"
-Uh, sorry Lew, but that is not the definition of a Melodrama, the term you are looking for is ACTION FILM! I am not going to go into the definition of melodrama. why waste my time? The point is that this guy is quite simply WRONG in many regards and therefore should not be trusted to give advice to someone who actually wants to make quality flicks.
He stresses research. Research is secondary or even tertiary. Trying to needlessly incorporate a bunch of superfluous facts is a good way to lose an audience's interest.
The book is long-winded, boring, self-indulgent, and lacking insight. If you have any kind of natural storytelling talent, this guy will only de-evolve your thinking.
Oh, by the way, the book's lessons are structured often off of Lew's own godawful screenplays. I WILL not be finishing this book because it has already wasted enough of my time, and I will be starting syd field's book which I have heard good things about. I will be throwing this book in the trash can right after I finish typing this sentence.
Skip class, just read this book, June 7, 2008
By
D. M. Batley (Chicago, IL)
This is basically Hunter's class that he teaches at UCLA. It really is great stuff and invaluable for screenwriters. Take heed all of the advice given between the covers. 434 will show you the ways and means to finish a screenplay. The only thing this book lacks is a close knit group of creative minds to read and edit your work.
helpful, practical and inspiring, April 19, 2008
By
Katharyn E. Grant (Colorado)
Very helpful. Takes you through the screenwriting process step-by-step. Inspiring and grounded in Lew's own experience as an award winning screenwriter. He's one of the few authors of screenwriting how-to books who's actually made a living as a successful screenwriter himself.
One of the best books for writers, screenwriters and filmmakers alike, January 12, 2007
By
Ben Kizer (Dallas, TX USA)
In the process of getting my MFA in Creative Writing, I picked up many books to learn more about becoming a professional writer. Lew Hunter's Screenwritiing 434 was one of most interest, due to my evergrowing desire to break into the screenwriting business once I finish my degree. I finished it immediately and wasn't able to put it down.
Many might sratch their head and think, "what does a small-town Nebraskan know about screenwriting?" The answer is, "A HECK of a lot." Hunter has been a screenwriting professor at UCLA since 1979 and before that worked as a writer for television shows such as "Batman" and "Bewitched." He knows the business and has been a creative consultant for many writers working in the business today. Many of his alumni are prominent screenwriters today, such as David Koepp, Joel Schmacher and Alexander Payne. Steven Spielberg has claimed that Hunter is the best screenwriting teacher going. Pretty good evidence of his skill and knowledge, don't you think?
Hunter writes in a way that encourages, but at the same time is realistic. He wants people reading the book to open their mind and follow what they want. He also wants to make sure they know the do's and don'ts of the business. He gives excellent examples and explanations of what to do. Basically, he tells people that besides following a few certain groundrules, there is no one right or wrong way to write. A little bit of creativity, imagination and dedication will get the writer further than they ever thought possible.
I also went to one of Lew Hunters screenwriting colonies in Superior, Nebraska and must say that I have never had as great of an experience as that. So comfortable, peaceful, helpful, essential and enjoyable. Kind of like this book. Pick it up today.
