Screenplays

The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

How does a spec script differ from a shooting script? What kind of fasteners should one use to bind a script? How did the term MOS come to mean without sound? You'll find the answers to these pressing questions and much more in David Trottier's eminently usable Screenwriter's Bible. The avuncular Trottier--a writer-producer, script consultant, and seminar leader--has written a friendly guide through the Hollywood morass. He touts it as six books in one: it's "a screenwriting primer, a screenwriting workbook, a formatting guide, a spec writing guide, a sales and marketing guide, [and] a resource guide."

Much of Trottier's advice is common sense: "Don't write anything that cannot appear on the screen"; to keep casting options open, don't make your physical descriptions too specific; "don't say Ron Howard is looking at the project if he is not." But there are things to know about Hollywood that are, well, quirkier. Don't write the title of your script on the front cover or side binding; present action sequences using the "stacking action" style; in query letters and scripts alike, avoid "big blocks of black ink." Trottier's guidance--from character development and revision to queries and pitches--is invaluable. Getting in the door can seem impossible, but it's not, necessarily. "If you write a script that features a character who has a clear and specific goal," says Trottier, "where there is strong opposition to that goal leading to a crisis and an emotionally satisfying ending, your script will automatically find itself in the upper five percent."

(By the way, MOS is said to have "originated with German director Eric von Stroheim, who would tell his crew, 'Ve'll shoot dis mid out sound'"). --Jane Steinberg

The Screenwriter's Bible is six books in one. Book 1 -- A screenwriting primer that provides a concise presentation of screenwriting basics. Book 2 -- A workbook that walks the writer through the writing process, from nascent ideas through revisions. Book 3 -- A formatting guide that presents correct formats for both screenplays and TV scripts. Book 4 -- A spec writing guide that demonstrates today's spec style through sample scenes and analysis. Book 5 -- A sales and marketing guide that presents proven strategies to help you create a laser-sharp marketing plan. Book 6 -- A resource guide that provides addresses and contacts for industry organizations, schools, publications, support groups, services, contests, etc. Among its wealth of practical information are sample query letters, useful worksheets and checklists, hundreds of examples, sample scenes, and straightforward explanations of screenwriting fundamentals. The "Bible" was a featured selection of The Writer's Digest Book Club.

The Dark Knight: Featuring Production Art and Full Shooting Script

Critically acclaimed director Christopher Nolan follows up his blockbuster film Batman Begins with the highly anticipated The Dark Knight. Batman Begins was a successful re-boot of the popular Batman franchise, and The Dark Knight sequel takes the fresh perspective further, developing the highly anticipated, raw cat-and-mouse game between our superhero Batman and his twisted arch-nemesis The Joker. Celebrated stars include Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman, returning as Batman, Alfred, Lucius Fox, and Lieutenant Gordon, respectively; and new additions Heath Ledger as The Joker, as well as Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Aaron Eckhart. The Art of the Dark Knight is the ultimate companion book to the movie, showcasing production ephemera including storyboard art, character sketches, Nolan’s original shooting script, still photos, and even personal behind-the-scenes material created by the Nolans and Crowley during the movie. The Art of the Dark Knight is certain to appeal to diehard and new fans alike.

The Annotated Godfather: The Complete Screenplay

This fully authorized, annotated, and illustrated edition of the complete screenplay of The Godfather presents all the little-known details and behind-the-scenes intrigue surrounding the landmark film.

The Godfather is considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made, from its brilliant cinematic innovations and its memorable, oft-quoted script to it magnificent cast, including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and others who are now among the most celebrated actors of our time. And yet, the history of its making is so colorful, so chaotic, that one cannot help but marvel at the seemingly insurmountable odds it overcame to become a true cinematic masterpiece, a film that continues to captivate us decades after its release.

Now, thirty-five years after The Godfather's highly anticipated debut, comes this fully authorized, annotated, and illustrated edition of the complete screenplay. Virtually every scene is examined including:

• Fascinating commentary on technical details about the filming and shooting locations
• Tales from the set, including the arguments, the accidents, and the practical jokes
• Profiles of the actors and stories of how they were cast
• Deleted scenes that never made the final cut
• Goofs and gaffes that did
• And much more

The Godfather is widely considered to be the greatest movie ever made. Its loyal fans are international and legion. Is there anyone unable to quote at least one famous line, among dozens, from the film? Now, for the first time since the film's debut thirty-five years ago, comes an annotated and illustrated edition of the complete screenplay that is fully authorized by Paramount Pictures.

Virtually every scene and shot is examined, and the fascinating commentary includes technical details about the filming, set design, and shooting locations; inside stories from the set including arguments, accidents, and practical jokes; profiles of the actors and how they were cast; deleted scenes; goofs and gaffes that remained in the film, and much more. Interviews with former Paramount executives, cast and crew members, as well as director Francis Ford Coppola shed new light on this influential film, and the 200+ photographs form a visual feast for Godfather fans.

Fascinating facts from behind-the-scenes of The Annotated Godfather:

• Actor Richard Castellano (Clemenza) actually ad-libbed the now-famous line, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

• Nearly 750 extras were bussed to a location on Staten Island where the wedding scene was shot, along with thousands of cookies, yard-wide trays of lasagna, barrels of beer, gallons of wine, and a six-foot-high wedding cake. The food had to be replenished every day for four days.

• Marlon Brando was crowned best prankster on the set and awarded a heavyweight-style belt emblazoned with the title "Moon Champion," in reference to his favorite type of prank.

• In order to help actor Al Martino (Johnny Fontane) express emotion in his scene with Don Corleone, Marlon Brando surprised him by whacking him across the face just before the cameras started to roll.

• The woman who kisses newborn Michael Rizzi on the church steps is Italia Coppola, Francis's mom.

Writing Short Films: Structure and Content for Screenwriters

This new edition has been completely updated and revised along with the addition of several new chapters. Currently, this title remains the best selling university text book on writing short film screenplays.

Write Screenplays That Sell: The Ackerman Way

Juno: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Scripts)

The official screenplay book tie-in to the highly acclaimed movie from Fox Searchlight Pictures, written by Diablo Cody (author of Candy Girl) and directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking), tells the story of a confidently frank teenage girl who calls the shots with a nonchalant cool and an effortless attitude as she journeys through an emotional nine-month adventure into adulthood.

While most girls at Dancing Elk are updating their MySpace page or shopping at the mall, Juno is a whip-smart Minnesota teen living by her own rules. A typically boring afternoon becomes anything but when Juno decides to have sex with the charmingly unassuming Bleeker (Michael Cera). Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, she and best friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby) hatch a plan to find Juno's unborn baby the perfect set of parents courtesy of the local Penny Saver. They set their sights on Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner), an affluent suburban couple who are longing to adopt their first child. Luckily, Juno has the support of her dad and stepmother (J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney). After the initial shock that their daughter has been sexually active with the unlikely "virile" Bleeker, the family bands together to help Juno. Dad Mac accompanies Juno to size up the prospective adoptive parents to make sure they are not a couple of "wing nuts" while stepmother Bren provides emotional support as Juno fights the prejudices of underage pregnancy. As Juno moves closer and closer to her due date, the veneer of Mark and Vanessa's idyllic life starts to show signs of cracking. While fall becomes winter and winter turns to spring, Juno's physical changes mirror her personal growth. With a fearless intellect far removed from the usual teen angst, Juno conquers her problems head-on, displaying a youthful exuberance both smart and unexpected.

In addition to the complete script, this Newmarket Shooting Scrip® book includes a foreword by director Jason Reitman, an exclusive introduction by Diablo Cody, a color photo section, and the complete cast and crew credits.

The Shape Of Things

The Art of Plotting: Add Emotion, Suspense, and Depth to Your Screenplay

Four Screenplays: Studies in the American Screenplay

In a field being transformed by technology, Syd  Field shows you what works and why and how to find  new ways to create a truly outstanding film using  four extraordinary examples: Thelma &  Louise, Terminator 2: Judgement  Day, The Silence Of The  Lambs, and Dances With  Wolves.

Screenwriting for Dummies

Includes all the essentials for writing a screenplay, from crafting dialogue to marketing a script
Packed with easy-to-understand guidelines and writing projects, Screenwriting For Dummies makes film writing accessible to novices and helps more experienced writers improve their scripts. This engaging guide walks readers through the essential elements of every good screenplay, from character development, to creating a story, to writing compelling dialogue, to adopting a screenplay from a different source. It also includes all the specific formatting details that go into writing a visual screenplay from scripting character introductions, to writing the camera into the script, to creating a cinematic collage. In addition, Screenwriting For Dummies covers the important task of selling a screenplay, including tips for getting a spec script into the proper marketing format, protecting intellectual property rights, and securing an agent.