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Books & Magazines
USEFUL BOOKS & MAGS FOR READERS AND WRITERS
We've gathered together a guide to many other books available that offer advice on screenwriting. It is by no means an exhaustive guide but represents a small selection that we consider to be potentially most helpful to new writers.
Story, Robert McKee (Methuen, 1999)
Despite being fabulously spoofed in Adaptation, McKee’s book is probably still the most comprehensive analysis of storytelling for the big screen, offering a sophisticated examination of how screenplays work from the dramatic structure to the beats of each scene.
Screenwriting, Lew Hunter (Hale, 1994)
Lew Hunter teaches the screenwriting class at UCLA and the book follows that programme and provides a structured and very accessible approach to writing for both TV and film.
The Art and Science of Screenwriting, Phil Parker (Intellect Books, 2000)
A clear and useful guide to a logical approach to screenwriting: Parker runs the MA in screen-writing at the former London College of Printing.
Alternative Scriptwriting: Writing Beyond the Rules, Ken Dancyger and Jeff Rush Second Edition (Focal Press, 1995)
An insightful alternative to mainstream narrative and character analysis that presents the reader with a clear dissection of the mainstream before revealing the alternatives.
The Screenwriter’s Workbook, Syd Field (Dell Trade, 1987)
Talked about as ‘the industry Bible’ Field has been both hyped and slammed for creating a series of rule books that have dominated screenwriting for the past 20 years.
Oscar-Winning Screenwriters on Screenwriting, Joel Engel (Hyberion Books, 2002)
This book transcribes interviews with screenwriting greats such as Ron Bass, Robert Benton and Bo Goldman. It’s a fascinating read giving insight into the different ways that writers work and their experiences of development in Hollywood.
How to Make Money Scriptwriting, Julian Friedmann (Intellect Books, 2000)
Offering scriptwriters the opportunity to see that writing is a real profession and a serious way to earn money with a businesslike approach to it as a career from an agent who knows! Topics covered include identifying what audiences want and need; effective presentation of treatments and step outlines; and improving pitching technique. Friedmann also edits the bi-monthly London-based ScriptWriter Magazine.
Writing Drama: A comprehensive guide for playwrights and scriptwriters, Yves Lavandier (Le Clown & L'enfant)
Translated from the French by Bernard Besserglik
In this exhaustive and rigorous look at the art and practice of writing drama - plays and films - Yves Lavandier offers readers a hefty volume that's jam-packed with details and examples that writers can return to again and again.
Raindance Writers Lab: Write and Sell the HOT Screenplay Elliot Grove, (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001)
Elliot Grove uses a hands-on approach to screenwriting based on his many years experience teaching the subject for Raindance training. With step-by-step processes illustrated with diagrams and charts to lend a visual structure to the teaching the book relates techniques to real-life examples throughout, from low budget to blockbuster films. An accompanying CD-ROM contains interviews with Brit directors, producers and writers, sample scripts and legal contracts, a writing exercise illustrated with a video clip, a folder full of useful hyperlinks for research, and a demo version of Final Draft screenwriting software.
Adventures in the Screen Trade, William Goldman (Abacus, 1983)
Hollywood raconteur William Goldman (screenwriter, Butch Cassidy…, Misery) offers a a personal ‘how I did it’ which remains a highly entertaining and idiosyncratic read even after 20 years. Containing the most infamous line of advice about the industry, “no one knows anything”.
Which Lie Did I Tell, William Goldman (Vintage, 2000)
The follow up to Adventures In The Screen Trade, like its predecessor, this is addictive and scary reading for screenwriters, packed with horrifying and bitingly funny anecdotes about the Hollywood machine, but it’s also filled with useful information about the craft of writing and insights into the creative process of one of America’s best film writers. The book also includes an original screenplay from the author which is critiqued by other top writers.
Poetics, Aristotle (Penguin Classics, 1996)
The classic theory of Greek drama – useful and spectacularly insightful for more experienced screenwriters.
The Conversations: Walter Murch and the art of film editing, Michael Ondaatje (Paperback 2004)
This is a wonderful book, based on conversations between its author and Walter Murch, film editor (and sometimes sound editor) of an amazing list of titles including all parts of The Godfather, American Graffiti, Apocalypse Now, Ghost, The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley. You will learn more about how to put stories together at the feet of a good film editor than almost anyone else, and Murch is one of the best film editors in the world.
GENERAL REFERENCE & FILMMAKING BOOKS
Filmmakers’ Yearbook 2008, edited by Tricia Tuttle & Briony Hanson (A&C Black 2008)
“We all have gaps in our knowledge, and included in this volume is a comprehensive map of the [filmmaking] process – from a look at how screenwriting and development works as a profession, through chapters on financing, production, post-production, publicity, festivals and distribution.” The late Anthony Minghella writing in the Filmmakers’ Yearbook, a comprehensive reference guide to the film industry. It lists contact names and addresses for all sections of the film world, including agents, courses, distributors, awards, festivals and markets. Articles include on topics such as ‘Contracts’, ‘Creating a Distribution Plan’, ‘Submitting a Film to a Festival’ and ‘Alternative Distribution’ and contributors in addition to Minghella include key industry professionals such as Sandra Hebron (Director, London Film Festival), Robert Jones (Producer, ‘The Usual Suspects’, Former Head of the Premier Fund for the Film Council), Charles McDonald (Premier PR, incorporating McDonald & Rutter), Lucy Scher (Script Factory), Mark Batey (Chairman of the Film Distributors Association), Richard Eyre, and Larry Sider (National Film & TV School).
Get your Short Film Funded, Made and Seen! The Shooting People Shorts Directory, edited Tricia Tuttle (Shooting People 2007)
A new Shorts Directory, cram-packed with all the information you need to not only make the film you've been playing in your head, but also get it sold and seen. Includes:
* Comprehensive short film funding contacts
* Advice from the people who will buy your film
* Documents and resources to help you budget your film
* Sample scripts and professional advice on how to script your idea
* Writing and production tips from award-winning short filmmakers
* Tips on how to find actors and cast your film
* Up-to-the-minute camera information to help you get the look you want
* Post-production resources and support
* A list of the 25 best short films you can watch for free online
* Interviews with leading short film distributors, sales agents, festival programmers, funders
MAGAZINES
movieScope magazine
movieScope magazine is the UK's only trade film magazine with a focus on global filmmaking - from Independent and European film to Hollywood and World cinema. The magazine provides an unrivalled insider’s point-of-view into a broad spectrum of filmmaking processes including acting, animations, directing, documentary, DV filmmaking, producing and writing.
ScriptWriter Magazine
A bi-monthly industry approved magazine, ScriptWriter Magazine is widely respected with a remit to provide for screenwriters and about screenwriters – it's essentially ‘the knowledge’ for British scriptwriters. Edited by Julian Friedmann.