"Utilizing engaging language, Jim Mercurio explores the shape of individual scenes within screenplays, probing the parallels between micro- and macro story structures, and providing keen insights into the nature of storytelling that should prove useful to creators of dramatic narratives not only in film and TV but in all platforms and media."
"The thing I love most about The Craft of Scene Writing is that Jim treats writers as filmmakers, urging them to consider how the script informs all of the downstream departments, painting a picture in the reader's mind for every story beat. Jim understands that scripts are just an accumulation of these story beats and it is our job as writers to obsess over each and every word and action to ensure that each beat is clear, concise, dramatic and surprising. Easier said than done, but Jim gives us the tools to chop, mold and sharpen these beats to gleaming bits of perfection."
"This book may well change the way screenwriting is taught. While most courses focus on the big picture, Jim Mercurio gives invaluable step-by-step advice about individually crafting each scene in a screenplay. Using well-known examples, Mercurio encourages filmmakers to think of each scene as its own full production, so that the entire film is made stronger by the strength of its parts. It's an eye-opening approach to storytelling, which will greatly benefit aspiring screenwriters, game writers, and novelists alike."
"A powerful survey of how to write effective scenes, illustrating the importance of digging deep for above average results."
"The first time you read Jim Mercurio's outstanding book, you'll be as astonished as I was at his ability to reveal and explain every conceivable element of an emotionally captivating scene. The next hundred times will be when you use it to make certain that every single scene in every rewrite of your screenplay or novel is entertaining, compelling and memorable."
"The Craft of Scene Writing breaks down the rules and how to break them, beat by beat, as a story within a story. A must read for the novice and expert filmmaker."
"Developing effective and affecting scenes is the beating heart of screenwriting, and Jim Mercurio has given us an excellent guide to writing scenes that are narratively tight, emotionally engaging, and thematically resonant. He assiduously avoids tired, old school truisms to give us a thoroughly useful, contemporary road map to better writing."
"An invaluable guide for screenwriters and anyone else interested in learning more about the creative art of storytelling ... reveals the key ins and outs of developing a powerful screen narrative. As a longtime professor of screenwriting, I must say that I was inspired by this book."
