In an age where many see screenwriters as the storytellers of the new century and everyone appears to be trying to write a screenplay, this book provides the framework for you to write a great screenplay. It goes beyond the concerns of act structure and the merits of story-driven - as opposed to character-driven - screenplays to tackle the real complexities of writing a compelling screenplay. The second edition contains: the different layouts for film, television, documentary and corporate screenplays, a detailed analysis of what is required from a premise, an outline, a step outline, a treatment and a first draft, a simple stage by stage guide to the inevitable re-write, tips on finding an agent.
This new approach to writing for film and television covers everything from finding an idea to writing a finished screenplay. The author's framework, 'A Creative Matrix.' brings together all the elements of screenplay writing - from story, character, theme, and dramatic structure to plot, genre, tone and style in an understandable way that is easy to follow. His analysis includes illustrating what comprises a good thriller, identifying the different types of sit-com, and showing the qualities of a screen romance that both works and convinces. The author uses examples from across European, American and World Cinema, as well as television, and this revised edition now contains a comprehensive index.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1 : Creative Confusion
Chapter 2 : A Creative Matrix
Chapter 3 : Tools of the Trade
Chapter 4 : Developing a Screen Idea
Chapter 5 : From Stories to Themes
Chapter 6 : Revealing Form and Plot
Chapter 7 : Explorations of Genre and Style
Chapter 8 : The Rewrite
Chapter 9 : Screen Business
Chapter 10 : A Few Final Words
Appendix A : Further Reading
Appendix B : Contacts
Index
