Screenwriting For Dummies^?, 2nd Edition

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

• ISBN13: 9780470406434
• ISBN10: 0470406437
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-10-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Write a great script and get it into the hands of the Hollywood players!So you want to be a screenwriter? Whether you want to write a feature film or a TV script or adapt your favorite book, this friendly guide gives you expert advice in everything from creating your story and developing memorable characters to formatting your script and selling it to the studios. You get savvy industry tips and strategies for getting your screenplay noticed!The screenwriting process from A to Z -- from developing a concept and thinking visually to plotline, conflicts, pacing, and the conclusionCraft living, breathing characters -- from creating the backstory to letting your characters speak to balancing dialogue with actionTurn your story into a script -- from developing an outline and getting over writer's block to formatting your screenplay and handling rewritesPrepare for Hollywood -- from understanding the players and setting your expectations to polishing your copy and protecting your workSell your script to the industry -- from preparing your pitch and finding an agent to meeting with executives and making a dealOpen the book and find:The latest on the biz, from entertainment blogs to top agents to box office jargonNew story examples from recently released filmsTips on character development, a story's time clock, dramatic structure, and dialogueNew details on developing the nontraditional screenplay -- from musicals to animation to high dramatic styleExpanded information on adaptation and collaboration, with examples from successful screenwriting duos

Table of Contents

Foreword.

Introduction

So You Want to Write for Pictures.

Introducing the Art of Screenwriting

Preparing to Think Visually

Diving In to the ScreenwriterÆs Mind

Approaching Screenwriting as a Craft

Breaking Down the Elements of a Story.

Unpacking Your Idea

Plot Part I: Beginnings

Plot Part II: Middles

Plot Part III: Endings

Character Building

Say What? Constructing Dynamic Dialogue

The Nontraditional Film

Maintaining an AudienceÆs Trust

Turning Your Story into a Script.

Mapping Out Your Screenplay

Surviving WriterÆs 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: Premarketing Considerations

Getting Your Screenplay Noticed

The Part of Tens.

Ten Screenwriters You Should Know

Ten Screenwriting Myths

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.