How to Write: A Screenplay, 2nd Edition

How to Write: A Screenplay, 2nd Edition
by Mark Evan Schwartz

How to Write: A Screenplay, 2nd Edition
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Book Summary Information

Author: Mark Evan Schwartz
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-04-15
ISBN: 0826428177
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Continuum

Book Reviews of How to Write: A Screenplay, 2nd Edition

Book Review: If you've never written anything, great; if you have, kinda dull.
Summary: 3 Stars

Schwartz's book is probably a good tool to teach screen-writing. I can see using it as a companion/reference, especially in a classroom setting. His approach of writing a screenplay about a screenplay, thereby showing you the format while also communicating valuable information about story conception, is unique and original.
Two problems with it, though:
1) I am a novel writer who was simply wanting to branch out and learn a different sort of writing. While the format is obviously different, and there are some key elements to keep in mind (action vs. thought, which Schwarts illustrates well) most of the elements of good story telling remain the same. The fact that the reader has to wade through reiterations of character, plot dialogue, three-act structure, etc., just to get through the screenplay, became mind-numbing.
If you're the sort of person that has never written a thing in your life, and now wants to write a screenplay, this book would be good for you. In short, it covers not just the craft/format of writing a screenplay, but that of good storytelling as well. If, on the other hand, like me you already know a lot about writing and simply want to educate yourself on a different format, I would choose a different manual. Even if you are in former group, however, this leads me to my second problem in reading this book:
2) Trying to pay attention to the format the actual screenplay is taking, while also trying to absorb all the information being given in dialogue between the characters, become overwhelming. Even someone like me who didn't need the storytelling information, got a headache trying to pay attention to ten things at once. In order to glean much from this, you'd have to read it several times just to retain some of it.
I'm sure in the right setting and with the right audience, Schwartz's book could be very helpful and very entertaining. However, that setting and audience represent only a minute fraction of his potential readership.

Summary of How to Write: A Screenplay, 2nd Edition

There are hundreds of books on the market, all trying to teach you how to write a screenplay. Several of them are excellent and useful books. But never - until now - has there been a screenwriting manual written in the form of a screenplay.
Our hero, the aspiring screenwriter Danny, is hopelessly in love with Bebe, a hot young starlet. But Bebe won't go out with Danny until he proves that he can write a brilliant screenplay for her. Helped along the way by a mysterious guide (Virgil) with seemingly magical powers, Danny travels to Screenwriting Hell to see what happens to writers who never make the grade. Virgil teaches him the tricks of the trade, the fundamental techniques that all screenwriters have to master, no matter how great their ideas. But there's something a little strange about Virgil, and Danny is never sure whether to trust him or not...
As well as the screenplay itself, the book includes an introduction explaining how to get the most out of the screenplay, the log line, the synopsis, character bios, the treatment, and "The Pitch" - a short scene that shows the author pitching his screenplay to a big-shot producer.

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