The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting, Second Edition
Alpha Books, May, 2004.
Trade paperback, 390 pages.
ISBN: 1592572251
There is nobody better suited to to lead aspiring screenwriters through the maze
that is Hollywood than Skip Press. A popular screenwriting instructor and successful
screenwriter, Skip has an
insider's understanding of the business world of
Hollywood. Skip is also a terrific writer and has no trouble
translating his knowledge in a way the novice screenwriter
can easily understand. Skip deftly explains the picky details
that are unique to
screenwriting, such as what brads are and why the first ten pages
of your script are so crucial. He also teaches some of his insightful
screenwriting tools like learning to read the newspaper like a screenwriter,
designing screenplays using the "shaping force" in act one and the "midpoint
change" in act two, and how to find problems and plot holes in your
screenplays. For those who are short on time, each chapter in the book includes
a section called "The Least You Need to Know" that summarizes
the most important subjects. If you
are new to screenwriting and looking for a book that can teach
you how to find movie ideas, write a better script and pitch a
screenplay then this is the book you want. Highly recommended.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting, Second Edition is available for purchase on Amazon.com
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This review was published in the September-October, 2004 of The Internet Writing Journal.
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