Ask the Pros: Screenwriting
Published August 11, 2004
The questions put to industry insiders like directors and producers are, I think, quite valuable. Even there, there are frequently differences of opinion, be it about when they know a script "works" (some say by page 30, some say "page 2," and some say "the last page"), or whether an aspiring writer should worry about budgetary concerns (some say yes, some say no). Other sections take on agents and managers, attorneys, TV writers, and readers (yes, even readers get their own section).
I must admit that I wasn't quite certain what to expect from this book when I first saw it, but I was impressed by the breadth of its content and, as I already touched on, what I feel is its importance for aspiring screenwriters. Far too frequently, we hear only one voice (the voice of the "guru") telling us to go one way or the other. After a while, though, you start to realize that while format is important it isn't critical. And you begin to realize that differences of opinion aren't confusing; they just each represent a different perspective. I think it can be quite empowering to realize that there isn't just one way to go about breaking into "the business," and I think Ask the Pros: Screenwriting can help people try to determine which way works best for them. I think it's a very helpful resource, and a worthwhile investment for a writer who can't afford a screenwriting conference and wants to hear what the pros really have to say.
- Ask the Pros: Screenwriting
- Published: August 11, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: Nonfiction, Books: Reference
- Writer: W.E. Wallo
- W.E. Wallo's BC Writer page
- W.E. Wallo's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Thanks Bill, very nice review. I think the real purpose of books like this is to encourage people to pursue their dreams, which is never a high-percentage proposition, but is how the good stuff does come out.
Has anyone read a really good book on writing TV? Does one exist? If one existed, what questions should it answer?
- Alex Epstein
Author, Crafty Screenwriting
Alex -- I'd really like to know if there's a book out there that talks about television writing as well. If I ever deviated from writing novels, I'd love to give a crack at TV. Of course, from what I've heard, having a heap of connections helps a lot.
Excellent website. I have seen a lot of movies at the local theaters, tv, dvd, morpheus and other venues. I must say that the talent that hollywood possesses is tremendous.
I understand that the industry is losing some revenue due to morpheus and related software. In any event can you guys make the movies and shows that appear on TV available on the Morpheus network.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/18535)
Other than "Star Wars", these 'how-to' books (Syd Field, McGee, et al) are the worst thing to happen to screenwriting since domesticated primate wannabee writers discovered Joseph Campbell.
20-something Hollowood morons with power will inevitably throw "three-act-structure" and the "page 10 rule" or some-such nonsense into every note session -- and these are the same punks whose knowledge of film history goes blank on earlier than 1990 or so.
Feh. No wonder 99% of the celluloid fecal material coming out of Hollowood looks like it was written by a committee using a 'formula': IT WAS.