- Hardcover: 262 pages
- Publisher: Fine Communications,US; 3rd edition (31 Dec 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 156731239X
- ISBN-13: 978-1567312393
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.7 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
988,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #43 in Books > Reference > Writing > Play & Scriptwriting
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
Providing examples from well-known movies, Field explains the structural and stylistic elements as well as writing techniques basic to the creation of a successful film script.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The main thing to say about this book is that it's repetitive. Really, really repetitive. Phenomenally repetitive. You think the start of this review is repetitive? No, my friend. Compared to the book, my review is not remotely repetitive.
Sentences are repeated. Quotes are repeated. Advice is repeated ad infinitum. The book has 308 pages without the index. I reckon you could boil that down to less than half the size if you just took out all the bits that are said more than once. You may find this hard to believe but there are things in here that are repeated more than four times.
So why do I still give it four stars?
Well, I think the repetition works. OK, it goes a little too far on that point. And there will be some readers (though none who can argue I haven't done my utmost to warn them) who get really worn down by the repetition. But for me, since this is only my second screenwriting book and I haven't been to any classes, I have probably benefited from the repetition.
It really hammers its points home. If you don't remember the main points after being told again and again and again, then when will you learn them?
So this book is like being taught by a teacher who doesn't trust you to remember the key points. He hits you over the head with them. Then again. Then again. And then one more time, just to be sure.
In my case, it's probably a good thing that he does. For other people, though, it may be much too much.
Sentences are repeated. Quotes are repeated. Advice is repeated ad infinitum. The book has 308 pages without the index. I reckon you could boil that down to less than half the size if you just took out all the bits that are said more than once. You may find this hard to believe but there are things in here that are repeated more than four times.
So why do I still give it four stars?
Well, I think the repetition works. OK, it goes a little too far on that point. And there will be some readers (though none who can argue I haven't done my utmost to warn them) who get really worn down by the repetition. But for me, since this is only my second screenwriting book and I haven't been to any classes, I have probably benefited from the repetition.
It really hammers its points home. If you don't remember the main points after being told again and again and again, then when will you learn them?
So this book is like being taught by a teacher who doesn't trust you to remember the key points. He hits you over the head with them. Then again. Then again. And then one more time, just to be sure.
In my case, it's probably a good thing that he does. For other people, though, it may be much too much.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anyone interested in the art of screenwriting should read this book, preferrably before they start a script. I started mine beforehand and now I wish I'd had this first.
Every aspect of your writing and your attitude towards what you will get out of writing will be improved with reading this book. Everything from structure (the famous paradigm) and your expectations of how to seel your script are covered.
This book is so effortlessly written (at least it seems so) that reading it is very easy and you may well finish it in a few sittings.
This guy is a master in his field and you can get a lot of expertise from him for a very small sum of money. BUY IT!!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Just about the simplest and easiest to apply screenwriting book of them all. Syd takes you through, step-by-step and has little exercises at the end of each chapter that help show you how to apply what you've read. I had a screenplay I was working on and after reading the book I completely rewrote it and now it's been picked up by an agency.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic Book
I bought this book after applying to University to study creative writing and finding that I'd really like to take a shot at screenplay. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Russia
I just love it!!
It is the first book I read about screenplays and how to write one and I just love the guy!! It is simple and fascinating and I am looking forward on reading more books of him!! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Greek
First book for a beginning screenwriter.
If you're thinking about writing your first screenplay, make sure you begin by buying this book. It introduces you to the basics of screenwriting, so that when people speak to you... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Yarasmodai
Good on the basics
A good basic guide. Nothing amazing here and it can get a bit boring.
He gets a lot of criticism because he has so few writing credits and yet claims to be an expert. Read more
He gets a lot of criticism because he has so few writing credits and yet claims to be an expert. Read more
Published 19 months ago by The Emperor
Quite Simply A Must If You Haven't Sold A Script.
If you haven't sold a script yet, then you MUST read this. Syd relives his time as a reader and emphasises the importance of the first ten pages. Read more
Published 22 months ago by KeithMoonHangover
Great for beginners.
As a professional script editor I can say, as with McKee's 'Story' that the basic story structure principles do help to deliver more satisfying scripts. Read more
Published on 8 July 2009 by Script Angel
The worst book I've ever read
I would have thought that someone with years of experience in writing and reviewing screenplays and teaching about the subject would be a decent communicator, but it feels like the... Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2008 by E
Very readable and inspiring
I work as a speechwriter and I bought this book to see if I could branch out. I subscribe to the DVD rental scheme with Amazon, so I could get out those films I hadn't seen which... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2008 by William Cohen
I wish it was a pamphlet!
Lets get this out of the way first; the book is helpful and I highly recommend it to novices (as I am). Actually, I just recommend it. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2008 by L. Hodson
Know the rules to break the rules
I agree with many of the reviewers here who argue that Field advocates quite a formulaic and almost stifling approach to writing scripts. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2007 by R. della Griva
Listmania!
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