Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay, Updated and Expanded edition / Edition 1

by Andrew Horton

Overview

"We need good screenwriters who understand character." Everywhere Andrew Horton traveled in researching this book—from Hollywood to Hungary—he heard the same refrain. Yet most of the standard how-to books on screenwriting follow the film industry's earlier lead in focusing almost exclusively on plot and formulaic structures.

With this book, Horton, a film scholar and successful screenwriter, provides the definitive work on the character-based screenplay. Exceptionally wide-ranging—covering American, international, mainstream, and "off-Hollywood" films, as well as television—the book offers creative strategies and essential practical information.

Horton begins by placing screenwriting in the context of the storytelling tradition, arguing through literary and cultural analysis that all great stories revolve around a strong central character. He then suggests specific techniques and concepts to help any writer—whether new or experienced—build more vivid characters and screenplays. Centering his discussion around four film examples—including Thelma & Louise and The Silence of the Lambs—and the television series, Northern Exposure, he takes the reader step-by-step through the screenwriting process, starting with the development of multi-dimensional characters and continuing through to rewrite. Finally, he includes a wealth of information about contests, fellowships, and film festivals.

Espousing a new, character-based approach to screenwriting, this engaging, insightful work will prove an essential guide to all of those involved in the writing and development of film scripts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520221659
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	02/23/2000
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	249
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART I: CHARACTER
Chapter One: The Feast of Becoming:
Carnival and Character
Chapter Two: Varieties of Voices Within Character
Chapter Three: Five Not-So-Easy Pieces:
Analysis of Character-Centered Scripts

PART II: NARRATIVE AND STRUCTURE
Chapter Four: Beyond the Classical Hollywood
Structure
Chapter Five: Developing a Character-Centered
Narrative
Chapter Six: Pitching

PART III: WRITING
Chapter Seven: Prelude to a Screenplay
Chapter Eight: The Fourteen-Week Character
Developing Schedule
Chapter Nine: The Fourteen-Week Feature
Screenplay

PART IV: LAUNCHING YOUR SCRIPT
Chapter Ten: From Rewrite to Screen:
An Overview of Options
Chapter Eleven: Live Writers Talking:
Screenwriting 2000 and Beyond

Appendix A: Coverage

Appendex B: Self-Critiques

Appendix C: Your Personal Screenwriting and Video Library

Appendix D: At Long Last the Recipe for a Screenwriter's
Gumbo with Character!

Index

Editorial Reviews

Tired of the hundreds of plot- and structure-oriented script books on the market? Tired of the "formula writing" espoused in an equal number of screen-writing seminars and weekend workshops? Horton (The Films of George Roy Hill, LJ 11/15/84) walks away with an Oscar in the "valuable tools for the prospective scripter" category with his latest rendering. He takes the reader step-by-step through the screen-writing process, with an emphasis on tried-and-true methods of developing stronger and more imaginative characters. Fully drawn characters are Horton's forte, and he pulls out every stop in his quest to educate the reader, even including a 14-week "character-building" exercise. Obstacles to writing the character-centered script are also discussed. Instructional books don't get much better than this. A great value; essential for all screen-writing collections.-Marty D. Evansvold, Magnolia P.L., Tex.

Library Journal