So You Want to Write a Screenplay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing for Film, Video, and Television

by Taylor Gaines

Overview

Writing for the big screen may seem like a job for the experienced, but the fact is, it's for everyone. Take Celeste Davis, for example, who at fourteen wrote the screenplay for "Purgatory House" and appeared on five critic's lists for best film of the year. Even if you don't see immediate success, you have to start somewhere. Take Steven Spielberg, for example, who was rejected from college three times before becoming the huge success he is today. Getting started at a young age is the key to mastering a skill. Imagine already having a screenplay or two under your belt by the time you apply for college - that's exactly what this book will help you to accomplish. You will learn how to use screenplay-writing software as well as how to actually write a screenplay, from capturing the audience at the introduction to having a satisfying conclusion. If you are eager to jump into Hollywood as the newest young writer, this step-by-step guide will help you get there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620232156
Publisher:	Atlantic Publishing Group Inc
Publication date:	01/28/2017
Edition description:	Illustrate
Pages:	180
Sales rank:	144,734
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1010L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 4

Foreword 9

Introduction 13

Screenwriting 101 15

Screenwriting as a Teen 17

Chapter 1 What Makes a Great Screenwriter 21

Qualities 23

Writing Commitment 27

Fiction vs. Nonfiction 29

Chapter 2 Learning From the Pros 37

Reading Screenwriting Online 39

Watching and Analyzing Movies 43

Watching Foreign Films 52

Chapter 3 Getting Started: Focusing on Your Story 59

Research 61

Genre 66

Setting Your Idea Apart 68

Creating Characters 69

Writing Scenes 77

Chapter 4 Storytelling 101 93

Character Development 95

Writing to Help Understand Your Characters 101

Creating Structure 103

Creating an Outline 119

Establishing Voice 127

Chapter 5 Beginnings and Endings 137

The Beginning 139

The MacGuffin 141

Ending 142

Chapter 6 Developing Theme 147

How to Develop Theme 151

Symbolic Elements 155

Chapter 7 Look Like a pro - Formatting and Revisions 161

Screenwriting Software 163

Formatting 164

Feedback 167

Rewriting 170

Chapter 8 Become a Marketing Expert 179

Copyright 181

Researching the Market 184

The Sale Process 186

Example of query letter 189

Chapter 9 Get Your Script on the Screen 195

Networking 197

Independent Films 199

Short Films 201

Student Films 203

Conclusion 204

Bibliography 206

Glossary 208

Additional Resources 212

Sample Scripts 213

About Screenwriting 213

Hollywood and the Business 214

Working Screenwriters and Industry Insiders 215

Downloads 216

Index 218

Author Bio 222