A professional screenwriter's master class in writing the most
critical and challenging script element--the individual scene. No one
comes out of a movie talking about structure. What audiences love and
remember about a movie are great scenes. Marlon Brando in the back seat
in On the Waterfront giving his "I could'a been a contender" speech.
Meg Ryan's fake orgasm in Katz's Deli in When Harry Met Sally with the
climactic punch line: "I'll have what she's having." In Superbad,
Jonah Hill professing "I love you" to his friend Michael Cera by
touching his nose with a "boop." Great scenes will elevate your script
from ho-hum to extraordinary--and from the slush pile to sellable. In
The Craft of Scene Writing, accomplished screenwriter and master
writing teacher Jim Mercurio analyzes and systematizes the beats,
conflicts, character moments, action, dialogue, and structure that
create powerful scenes. Citing examples from scripts old and new, The
Craft of Scene Writing breaks down how great scenes reveal character,
advance the story, and emotionally connect with audiences, plus
demonstrates how to use these techniques in your own scripts. This
incredibly detailed exploration of screenwriting technique will help
beginning writers to write great scripts and experienced writers to gain
a more complete mastery of their craft.
