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Secrets of Screenplay Structure: How to Recognize and Emulate the Structural Frameworks of Great Films (Paperback)

by Linda J. Cowgill (Author) "The basis of our understanding of classic three-act structure goes back to Aristotle ..." (more)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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This item: Secrets of Screenplay Structure: How to Recognize and Emulate the Structural Frameworks of Great Films by Linda J. Cowgill
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
Art of Plotting, The: Add Emotion, Suspense, and Depth to Your Screenplay by Linda J. Cowgill
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Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

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Product details

Paperback: 225 pages
Publisher: Lone Eagle Publishing Co ,U.S. (17 Feb 1999)
Language English
ISBN-10: 158065004X
ISBN-13: 978-1580650045
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 162,995 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category:
#76 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Film > Production & Technology > Screenwriting

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Product Description

Product Description
In her new book, Linda Cowgill articulates the concepts of successful screenplay structure in a clear language, based on the study of great films from the thirties to present day. Secrets of Screenplay Structure helps writers understand how and why great films work as well as how great form and function can combine to bring a story alive. Cowgill includes many helpful anecdotes, insider strategies, as well as do's and dont's which will help readers make their writing more professional, and therefore, more marketable.

About the Author
Linda J Cowgill

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
The basis of our understanding of classic three-act structure goes back to Aristotle. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be a screenwriter to appreciate this book!, 1 April 1999

By A Customer

Anyone who appreciates great films will love this book. It gives you insight into how great films are put together, and what really makes one. This book starts at the beginning, yet it doesn't feel like it's written for the beginner. It covers a variety of topics, including nonlinear and ensemble films -- which I, frankly, haven't seen covered in any other screenwriting book, at least not in this depth. This book uses a limited number of films to study, so examples can be viewed, and I loved each film she used. I'd forgotten what terrific films Quiz Show, Risky Business and Tootsie were, and now have a greater appreciation of them. I can't say enough good things about this book. It makes you want to sit down and write your great screenplay, yet also lets you know just how much of a collaborative process it really is to get there.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Screenwriting Course in a Book, 29 Mar 1999

By A Customer

This is a terrific concept for a screenwriting book. It is structured like a screenwriting course, laying out its foundation with a limited number of study films to clearly illustrate how screenplays are constructed. The author doesn't use a convoluted language, but gets right to the point, explaining what goes into in a great screenplay and film. This book is a classic. What's even better are the detailed chapters on ensemble and nonlinear films. No other screenplay book I've seen takes on this daunting task of analysing these two difficult types of film structures. At the end of each chapter, Cowgill discusses a final draft or late draft of each study film's screenplay and compares it with changes made to the final film. What would have been more interesting is to include a discussion of the selling screenplay, but that's a minor quibble. This is a great book for anyone interested in screenwriting or just understanding film in general. A real 5 star achievement.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with information, it's terrific, enlightening., 6 Feb 1999

By A Customer

I didn't think a book on feature screenwriting could contain so much information that is helpful, clear and new. This is a wonderful book, written in a clear style that doesn't tell you how to write a screenplay, but what goes into making a great screenplay. And instead of analysing the screenplays, which are often quite different from the films we see on the screen, she discusses the actual films in screenplay terms. Unlike many other books, this book is not filled with references to films no one has ever seen or the popular films everyone says they like, but they don't remember why. Instead, she has limited the number of reference films making for manageable and helpful examples. The films discussed were excellent (although I might lose some of those listed in the appendix). This book also has 2 meaty chapters on ENSEMBLE FILMS and NONLINEAR FILMS. I've yet to see another book that gives more than 2 or 3 pages on these topics. These 2 chapters alone are worth the price of the book. It's a must-read.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Done Deal's Review by Jason Antebi
"If you were stuck on a deserted island with a typewriter, and with what you think is a great story, this is the one book you'll want with you. Read more

Published on 10 Jul 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars FILM THREAT WEEKLY REVIEW
"Finally, someone wrote a book about screenwriting the right way. Secrets of Screenplay Structure is the best book on screenwriting ever! Read more

Published on 11 May 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The Midwest Book Review
Secrets of Screenplay Structure will help writers and film buffs to understand how and why great films work, as well as how great form and function can combine to bring a story... Read more

Published on 12 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars A one of a kind critique of great screenplays.
This is an extraordinary guide to understanding screenplay structure. Not only does it clearly explain how to structure your screenplay but it does what no other screenwriting... Read more

Published on 6 Feb 1999

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