Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Start your writing Career., November 14, 2008
By
A. Samtani (DKI Jakarta)
As a novice scriptwriter 'the art of plotting' gave me hope. It made me understand that there are time tested techniques and formulas to follow to make your script stand out. It also made me realize that script writing is no easy task however with a couple of tips and tricks from Cowgill, one can easily add emotion, suspense and depth to our work.
I recommend reading a screenplay writing book before reading this as there are several references to screenplay writing techniques that you should already be familiar with. A good one to pickup is Secrets of Screenplay Structure and Writing Short Films, Cowgill's other book, which is used in writing programs across the country.
The art of plotting is well written and concise. Ofcourse the author is a leader in her field. She teaches at the Los Angeles Film School and Loyola Marymount University. Cowgill gives us a good glimpse into what it takes to write something that a lot of people can appreciate. I definitely recommend it.
Enthusiastically recommended to aspiring screen writers everywhere, May 3, 2008
By
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Plot is the meat and main course of any and all fiction scripts script regardless of film genres - without a good plot, it takes a miracle to have a good movie. "The Art of Plotting: Add Emotion, Suspense, and Depth to your Screenplay" covers all you need to know to make your plot the best it can be, explaining the complex principles, advice on integrating characterization and exposition to make the story more compelling, how to spot and overcome common plot problems, and demonstrate how plot can enhance everything else about your screenplay. "The Art of Plotting: Add Emotion, Suspense, and Depth to your Screenplay" is enthusiastically recommended to aspiring screen writers everywhere and deserves a place on any community library's Writing and/or Film Studies instructional reference collection.
A Good Book, March 11, 2008
By
B. S. Thomas (Los Angeles)
Someone famous once said, "This is the Emotion Picture Business." This book will help you add Emotion and Depth to your screenplays.
What makes a good plot - here's the book with the answers, February 24, 2008
By
Jeffrey L. Armbruster (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA)
Ok, I've been writing scripts for decades now. What's the common complaint generations of script readers and producers make: Anybody can come up with an exciting idea, or a powerful hook. Anybody. And there are tons of ideas out there - just open a newspaper! The problem is execution - keeping a 90 to 120 page script exciting. We can all write 10 or 20 pages of exciting scenes - but most of us run out of gas. In one word, plot. The plot goes no where, or gets boring. How do you keep the plot interesting, emotional? Plot is the entire focus of Linda Cowgills's book, and she presents 180 pages of ideas and suggestions on how you can keep your entire plot exciting, eventful and emotional.
Answer this question - what's the difference between conflict and complication? Which one keeps the plot moving?
Table of contents:
1 - The Three Requirements of Drama
2 - Plot: Event and Emotion
3 - The Role of Conflict
4 - The Principles of Action
5 - The Tools of Plotting
6 - The Sequence of Story
7 - The Real Art of Plotting
8 - Common Problems in Plot Construction
9 - Tools for Analysis
Great book. Highly recommended.
Great asset to any writer's library, January 23, 2008
By
Master Cineaster (SaMo, CaFo)
Great book, gives a lot of detailed information to lay the groundwork, then gets to the nitty-gritty with three terrific chapters at the end -- the real art of plotting, common problems in plot construction, and tools for analysis. These chapters are really specific about how you put your information together in your plot, as well as address specific problems writers encounter. A great asset to any writer's library!
