The American Film Institutes bestselling sreenwriting guide is now updated!Only the American Film Institute -- the countrys most prestigious film organization -- could offer this level of screenwriting expertise! Specially created by a top television programming executive and former instructor at the AFI film school, this bestselling screenwriting guide is now revised and updated to cover the latest techniques for crafting first-rate screenplays for film and TV. Professional, practical and totally authoritative, this outstanding reference is a favorite of aspiring screenwriters and their teachers. Contents include:- Innovative ideas for structuring the plot, developing characters, and building momentum- Professional guidance on marketing a screenplay- Concise encyclopedia of screenwriting techniquesDona Cooper, a senior television programming executive, has taught screenwriting at the AFI Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies in Los Angeles.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Actually the best book I've ever read, no kidding, January 11, 2006
By
Nib (Sweden)
I have about 20 books in my room and this one is one of them and it's seriously the best I've ever read, regardless of genre.
I don't even write much screenplays these days but sometimes I still re-read some chapters and sitting there nodding "yup, that's so true".
The examples are so good, I thought that probebly a book like this would just make examples from boring drama movies and discard action as garbage, but the examples vary from Robocop to Beverly hills cop.
My favrouite chapter is about the Hero, finally I can explain for real why I don't like Harry Potter, becouse for me he is not a hero, and this chapter analyses what a hero is so I can make sure that in my screenplays ppl will actually hope that the hero will sucseed unlike in movies like Harry Potter where I'm hoping the evil wizard will kill his ass.
GREATNESS, February 15, 2005
By
M. Garrett (Winston Salem, North Carolina)
This book is amazing... I have Dona Cooper for class at the North Carolina School of the Arts and she is amazing. What a wealth of knowledge she has to share, and has shared in this text. A+++ Read!!!! A Must-Have for any screenwriter...
Great Book!, December 8, 2001
By
April A. (Adrian College Student)
When writing for television and film some people may think that all you have to do is come up with an idea and write the screenplay. The reality is that there is a lot more to it according to Dona Cooper, the author of the best-selling book, Writing Screenplays for Television and Film. The major theme that she continuously uses throughout the book is the two-dimensional roller coaster theme. The roller coaster analogy is to help "capture the sense of thrust, power, build, and intensity that a good story experience must have." This book targets readers who are more advanced and are ready to market their screenplays as soon as everything is together versus a beginning writer who wants to learn the basic steps of writing a screenplay. The majority of this book is written with strong structure. She develops key concepts and backs the structure of the different types of roller coasters that can be incorporated in many story elements. She writes with the idea of not telling the reader first you need to do this step, instead she lets the reader explore the different possible directions they can take. Her advice allows the reader to develop their own way of writing and their own sequence of writing. Beginning writers may want to gear away from this book. For the more advanced writers this would be a great book to purchase.
Excellent book!, April 18, 2000
By
You should definitely own a copy of this book. While it is not aimed at total beginners, intermediate and advanced writers will find it invaluable.
A must read for anyone remotely interested in screenwriting, January 20, 2000
By
Joe Cheng (Canada)
If only every book was as well written as this one.... This book is one of the best books on screenwriting I've ever read for one simple reason: Clarity. The material in this book is presented in a wonderful "reader friendly" streamlined structure. Full of useful information yet straight and to the point. A great read for the beginning screenwriter.
