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Your Screenplay Sucks!: 100 Ways to Make It Great |  | Author: William M Akers
Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.56
as of 11/24/2009 17:26 CST details
You Save: $10.39 (52%)
New (30) Used (7) from $9.49
Seller: backpack_books
Rating:  53 reviews
Sales Rank: 16496
Media: Paperback
Pages: 287
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 5.8 x 0.9
ISBN: 1932907459
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.23
EAN: 9781932907452
ASIN: 1932907459
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A lifetime member of the Writer's Guild of America who has had three feature films produced from his screenplays, Akers offers beginning writers the tools they need to get their screenplay noticed. |
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 53
Let's Have The Next 100! November 21, 2009
Carl King (Los Angeles, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Great artists don't follow strict rules, and neither should you.
But a brutal list of 100 common amateur oversights, mistakes, and movie clichés? Incredibly handy while absorbed in the world of screenwriting! It's so easy to get lost as you write. So many things to forget. So many things to reconsider. So many ways to blow holes in your imaginary adventure.
Your work will never be great if you can't tell when and when not to apply these ideas. If you're on the right track, you'll use this list as a starting point to come up with your own creative checklist. This book is like your own merciless screenwriting critic: shaking his head and frowning, tearing you to shreds, sending you back to your laptop in humility. And that's better than ruining Terry Rossio's afternoon, right?
I discovered this book at random in the book store. I was so intrigued with its concepts that I sat down in the store and read the entire thing, cover to cover. Wow. I couldn't help but take it home as a permanent reference tool. Anything that helps you look at your storytelling and communication skills in a new way is priceless.
 useful for beginners November 7, 2009
M. McClintick
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have to respectfully disagree with the majority of the reviewers here. This book was so basic that I can't imagine it helping anyone but beginning screenwriters. Most of the "100 ways" are, to me, pretty obvious. If you've never written a screenplay, or if you've written a few and are having trouble, this book might help. But if you're farther along, maybe you've gotten a few options or even had a script produced and still want some expert advice, I'd recommend Tanya York's HOW TO MAKE MONEY MAKING MOVIES, or Jennifer Lerch's 500 WAYS TO BEAT THE HOLLYWOOD SCRIPT READER. So, buy Mr. Akers' book if you're just starting out -- but if so, be sure you also read David Trottier's THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE.
Simply put, this book is essential September 14, 2009
Richard J. Bartlett (Louisville, KY, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I can't recommend this book highly enough. If I had to say anything negative about it, it would be that it stopped me writing for a day because I was too engrossed in reading it. I spent six hours reading it the night I got it.
What's really good about this book is that - despite the title - you really won't be depressed reading it. It's like he's sitting there next to you, working through your script on your behalf. It's entertaining, informative and he'll give you plenty of examples to demontrate his point. You'll get a good idea of which movies to read/watch as shining examples. And I can guarantee you'll realize you're doing a LOT right, while learning how to polish the rest.
This book is a goldmine. I'm about 2/3 of the way through it and I've got a Word doc with over 200 bullet-pointed tips on how to improve my writing. I'm so inspired I feel like I could ditch my entire script right now, rewrite it and make it three times better. (Actually, that's one of the things Mr Akers advises you not to do - write it first, then rewrite. And rewrite. And rewrite. But you won't mind all the rewriting because it's so much fun now!)
Even if you know how to write a screenplay, maybe even sold a few, I'd still recommend this book.
Finally, if you've never written before and have yet to write a word, I would read some other books first and then read this when you're ready to improve. I wouldn't call it an absolute beginner book. Although it gives you a lot of advice, it helps to know what he's talking about first!
Your first draft may never sell. But after reading this, I'll be shocked if your later drafts don't.
 This Book Sucks! September 2, 2009
Ladypa1
1 out of 8 found this review helpful
I just got coverage back on my screenplay from a major writing competition. Before submitting, I made some rewrites to accommodate the tips this book told me to use to make my screenplay better. The screenplay got marked down in ratings BECAUSE of the things this book told me to do! Major lesson here? This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm throwing the book in the trash! What a waste of money!
Yes you are right, my screenplay did suck! August 24, 2009
Peter
But now, it won't after reading your book. I just ordered it last week from Amazon and it arrived very quickly.
I have spent the last few days trying to snatch bits of time to read it.. and I am resenting things that are preventing me from doing so.
I love the simple concise way the book tackles each problem that screenwriters come up with. It's easy to read, fun and I have learned so much just from the first half. I recommend this book to any writer who likes to have a readily accessible book by the computer as you are writing and rewriting your screenplay.
This book is entertaining as well as educational, and it makes you feel like you can just go and tackle your screenplay and make it better. There are some simple tips that with minimal effort, you can strengthen your screenplay in an hour.
wonderful book. Highly recommended.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 53
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