Screenwriting For Dummies^®

by Laura Schellhardt (Northwestern Univ., Chicago, Illinois); Foreword by: John Logan

• ISBN13: 9780470389270
• ISBN10: 0470389273
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-07-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Includes all the essentials for writing a screenplay, from crafting dialogue to marketing a script Packed with easy-to-understand guidelines and writing projects, Screenwriting For Dummies makes film writing accessible to novices and helps more experienced writers improve their scripts. This engaging guide walks readers through the essential elements of every good screenplay, from character development, to creating a story, to writing compelling dialogue, to adopting a screenplay from a different source. It also includes all the specific formatting details that go into writing a visual screenplay from scripting character introductions, to writing the camera into the script, to creating a cinematic collage. In addition, Screenwriting For Dummies covers the important task of selling a screenplay, including tips for getting a spec script into the proper marketing format, protecting intellectual property rights, and securing an agent.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

So You Want to Write for Pictures

An Introduction to the Art of Screenwriting

Preparing to Think Visually

Diving Into the Screenwriter's Mind

Approaching Screenwriting as a Craft

Breaking Down the Elements of a Story

Unpacking Your Idea

Plot

Beginnings

Plot

Middles

Plot

Endings

Character Building

Say What? Constructing Dynamic Dialogue

Maintaining an Audience's Trust: A Screenwriter's Responsibility

Turning Your Story into a Script

Mapping Out Your Screenplay

Surviving Writer's Block

Formatting Your Screenplay

Putting It Together: Structuring Your First Draft

Take Two: Rewriting Your Script

Adaptation and Collaboration: Two Alternate Ways to Work

Selling Your Script to Show Business

Before You Send It Out: Pre-Marketing Considerations

Getting Your Screenplay Noticed

The Part of Tens

Ten Screenwriters You Should Know

Ten Movies You Should See and/or Read

Ten Screenwriting Myths

Index

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