Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 73
 After reading How Not to Write a Screenplay I entered my very first screenwriting contest.... April 14, 2009
wanderingtaoist (Kansas City, MO United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
and made it to the semi-finals. But there is good news and bad news.
I got feedback from two reviewers. One, really liked it and based on his/her scores I would've made it into the final round.
The second reviewer pretty much hated it and it was this score that knocked me out of the final round.
There are definite rules for screenwriting and this book can help define those for you. But there are also these gray areas where rules are bent and broken and you are at the total whim of the individual reading your script at that time. Despite all the paramters it's more art than science and some very talented people have passed over awesome scripts that have gone on to be great, and well, really bad scripts get made all the time. Unfortunately no book can guide you through that. In fact the book presents some contradictory information in defining the screenwriting processes and boundaries then offering example scripts that bends or breaks them. But perhaps that was the point.
My advice after reading this book is, if you're a beginner or intermediate like me, stick closely to the rules, including what the author outlines here which is not bad advice at all. The more familiar you are with them the more adapt you will be at knowing then to toss them aside.
 Covers Many Essentials Forgotten Elsewhere February 1, 2009
M. K. Adams (Seattle, WA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After you've read Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting and The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script, you're about 90% set on how to write a screenplay. This book will finish off that last 10% with excellent advice on polishing and finishing a script. The best reason to buy this book is the section on Overwriting and Underwriting, which answers frequently asked questions with clear and concise examples.
The book is written in very friendly and enjoyable manner. While not the first book on screenwriting anyone should read, it is definitely the last book you should read before getting started.
Best for more intermediate level screenwriters July 9, 2008
c.k.
I found the book extremely helpful - but I would NOT recommend for beginning screenwriters.
I've written almost 3 screenplays, and had them critiqued in class. So, I would say that I am an beginner-intermediate level. This book is an excellent resource for those who are already familiar with good screenwriting rules and formats, and need to refine these points.
I saw many of my own mistakes in the book examples (yikes!) - you know what they say, the best way to learn is by making a mistake.
Therefore, if you have yet to write at least one screenplays, I'm not sure this book will be as helpful as books like "Hot Property" or "The Screenwriter's Bible."
The Difference May 10, 2008
Andrew Romy
I agree with another reviewer. This is better to read while you're in the middle of your first screenplay, or after you've written it.
But it's brilliant.
If you write a screenplay, and are not sure how to revise it, read this, and you will laugh. But you will also discover the difference between writing a film that sounds good to you and writing something that a studio-exec will enjoy reading.
I think it can make good writing better and make it smoother, while helping you avoid the minefield that so many ignorantly charge through.
 A good book, but just good. April 20, 2008
J. Hartranett
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
While this book does tell you some of the basic stuff it takes not to write your script, it also goes back and forth and gives examples of bad scripts and then good scripts doing almost the same thing. It seems as if sometimes the author will tell you not to write too much, but then when it comes to scripts that have been turned into movies, that rule is gone. This part of it was disappointing, so what is it? Dont write too much but then go ahead and write too much.
Showing reviews 6-10 of 73
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