Hollywood's script guru teaches you how to write a screenplay in "the
'bible' of screenwriting" (The New York Times)--now celebrating forty
years of screenwriting success!
Syd Field's books on the essential structure of emotionally satisfying
screenplays have ignited lucrative careers in film and television since
1979. In this revised edition of his premiere guide, the underpinnings
of successful onscreen narratives are revealed in clear and encouraging
language that will remain wise and practical as long as audiences watch
stories unfold visually--from hand-held devices to IMAX to virtual
reality . . . and whatever comes next.
As the first person to articulate common structural elements unique to
successful movies, celebrated producer, lecturer, teacher and
bestselling author Syd Field has gifted us a classic text. From concept
to character, from opening scene to finished script, here are
fundamental guidelines to help all screenwriters--novices and
Oscar-winners--hone their craft and sell their work.
In Screenplay, Syd Field can help you discover:
- Why the first ten pages of every script are crucial to keeping
professional readers' interest
- How to visually "grab" these influential readers from page one, word
one
- Why structure and character are the basic components of all narrative
screenplays
- How to adapt a novel, a play, or an article into a saleable script
- Tips on protecting your work--three ways to establish legal ownership
of screenplays
- Vital insights on writing authentic dialogue, crafting memorable
characters, building strong yet flexible storylines (form, not formula),
overcoming writer's block, and much more
Syd Field is revered as the original master of screenplay story
structure, and this guide continues to be the industry's gold standard
for learning the foundations of screenwriting.
