|  | Author: David Trottier
Publisher: Silman-James Press
List Price: $22.95
Buy New: $14.40
as of 11/22/2009 23:18 CST details
You Save: $8.55 (37%)
New (30) Used (22) from $14.40
Seller: yuri_layliev
Rating:  127 reviews
Sales Rank: 4187
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 4 Updated
Pages: 386
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 10.9 x 8.5 x 1
ISBN: 1879505843
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.23
EAN: 9781879505841
ASIN: 1879505843
Publication Date: August 20, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 26-30 of 127
 Average June 2, 2008
S. P. Doran (Japan)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is most helpful on formatting tips, story arc and how things look on a screenplay. That aside the book isn't entirely necessary because of screenplay writing programs such as Final Draft or Screenwriter which tackle the formatting and appearance issues so the writer doesn't have to. Also, don't take a lot of the advice and "rules" Trottier gives and lays out too seriously or set-in-stone because it's all coming from a guy who hasn't sold a single screenplay all his own. He's a teacher and the old saying, "those who can't do, teach," definitely applies to this guy. If you want to learn the screenwriting craft, reading this book certainly does not hurt one bit; so, pick it up and draw your own conclusions.
 The Most Practical Book on Screenwriting Basics May 19, 2008
C. J. Singh (Berkeley, California, USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE, in one volume, comprises six substantial guidebooks:
Book I: How to Write a Screenplay--A Primer;
Book II: 7 Steps to a Stunning Script--A Workbook;
Book III: Proper Formatting Technique--A Style Guide;
Book IV: Writing & Revising Your Breakthrough--A Script Consultant's View;
Book V: How to Sell Your Script--A Marketing Plan;
Book VI: Resources and General Index.
The book's large format 386 pages, eleven by eight-and-a-half inches, would equal at least 600 pages in the more common format of nine-by-six inches.
Book I: How to Write a Screenplay. Aptly subtitled a primer, it presents a compact introduction to screenwriting. In particular, Trottier focuses on the three-act structure with six key turning or plot points: the catalyst; the big event; the pinch (or midpoint); the crisis (low point); the showdown; the realization. Throughout, the author includes examples from well-known films.
Book II: 7 Steps to a Stunning Script. This workbook includes 25 checkpoint lists and a character/action grid.
Book III: Proper Formatting Technique--A Style Guide. "The spec script is the selling script, sometimes called the writer's draft. You write it with the idea of selling it later or circulating it as a sample. Once it is sold and goes into pre-production, it will be transformed into a shooting script, also known as the production draft. The spec-script style avoids camera angles, editing directions, and technical intrusions" (page 114). To illustrate formatting a spec script, Trottier includes his humorous three-page script "The Perspicacious Professor." This book convinced me to use the author's software "Dr Format" instead of "Final Draft."
Book IV: Writing & Revising Your Breakthrough--A Script Consultant's View. Trottier provides tips on "how to direct the camera without using camera directions" and exercises, based on his clients' scripts, to guide reader in revising to current spec-writing style.
Book V: How to Sell Your Script--A Marketing Plan. In addition to numerous suggestions on marketing, Trottier cautions screenwriters to protect their works. "Registering one's copyright and displaying the copyright notice on the script's title page is no longer seen as something done by paranoid writers." Writers Guild of America will register one-page synopsis, longer treatments, as well as draft(s) of a screenplay.
Book VI: Resources and General Index. This book includes several lists containing "carefully selected entries." I promptly looked up the first entry: "Updates to The Screenwriter's Bible" on the author's website... and found a useful tip on formatting as well as revisions on one of the exercises in Book IV. Presumably these changes will be included in the next edition.
Five shining stars to this book.
-- C J Singh
Screenwriter's Bible - Excellent! May 8, 2008
C. Christensen
Everything you need to know about screenwriting in simple terms. This is the book to have.
 Worth Reading May 3, 2008
Carol A. King (Chicago, IL USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've read a few books on screenwritng and I find this this book just as helpful as the others. It's fun, and puts the prospective writer at ease. Well worth reading and doing the homework. Now get that screenplay written and stop just reading about :)
Excellent Book April 23, 2008
Itzik Cherry
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is a magic!
I'm in the process of my writing, and having this book is like having a consultant just beside you.and a great one.
it has a lot of great ideas that helps me open my mind and look at the bigger picture.
i found the book also "comfortable" for the eye-big white pages,with large spaces between the lines that makes the reading simple and fun.
don't think twice.
Showing reviews 26-30 of 127
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