Writing Short Scripts

by Phillips, William H.

• ISBN13: 9780815628026
• ISBN10: 0815628021
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr

Summary

This is an updated edition of the first book to help the beginning writer enter the burgeoning world of short films from travelogues to animated shorts. William H. Phillips has extensively revised and updated to include three new and recent original short screenplays and detailed descriptions and photographs of two award-winning short films. Focusing on visualization, dialogue, settings, characters, structure, and themes, Phillips provides a guide to writing scripts for films of less than thirty minutes, from gathering and organizing materials to writing, rewriting, and formatting. Each new chapter includes new and revised ideas and examples. The glossary, bibliography, descriptions of short films, and the list of distributors of short films and videotapes have also been extensively rewritten and updated. Included are citations for short films and web site addresses useful to the short script writer.

Author Biography

William H. Phillips is a continuing visiting professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	ix
Foreword	xi
Richard Walter
Preface	xiii
Part One: Getting Started
Finding Sources	3	(19)
Part Two: Studying Scripts and Films
Screenplays	21	(1)
That's What I Love about You	22	(25)
Rock of Hope	47	(28)
The Road	75	(32)
Finished Films: Cutting Continuity Scripts	106	(1)
Avenue X	107	(19)
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy	126	(24)
Scripts and Films: Goals and Means	150	(27)
Part Three: Writing Scripts
Before You Begin	175	(2)
Planning	177	(7)
Writing	184	(5)
Rewriting	189	(20)
Epilogue: Reaching Listeners and Viewers	209	(6)
Glossary	215	(4)
Bibliography	219	(4)
Films and Videos	223	(6)
Distributors of Short Films and Videotapes	229	(4)
Index	233