An Introduction to Screenwriting Books
How to Write a Screenplay Guides by Syd Field and Robert McKee
Before writing a screenplay it is advised to consult some literature on the subject in order to avoid wasting time or making rudimentary errors or mistakes. Syd Field and Robert McKee are the most popular screenwriting authors and so here is a guide to some of their most useful books.
Screenplay; The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field
The original and classic screenwriting manual, Syd Field’s seminal book Screenplay was first written published in 1982 and has been a bible to screenwriter’s ever since. Much of Screenplay’s focus is on three act structure and how to construct your storyline. It’s written with an easy to understand language style and uses numerous examples from Hollywood classics like Jaws and Taxi Driver.
Screenplay is a very good book for the first time screenwriter because it gives a step by step guide of the writing process from concept to finished script. Whilst some may argue that this almost mechanical process is a hindrance to creativity it is a life saver for the starting writer who is bewildered by the process as a whole.
Four Screenplays by Syd Field
Four Screenplays by Syd Field is very different to Screenplay in that it takes four films, Thelma and Louise, Terminator 2, The Silence of the Lambs and Dances with Wolves and uses each example (with interviews with writers, directors and producers) to illustrate various screen writing techniques. Field uses each screenplay example as follows,
- Thelma and Louse – Action is Character
- Terminator 2 – Writing an Action Film
- The Silence of the Lambs – Adapting a Novel into a Film
- Dance with Wolves - The Writer’s Journey
Four Screenplays by Syd Field is an interesting and useful book as it not only goes through the screenwriting process in terms of plot, structure, character etc. But it also illustrates the practical obstacles that a writer will face when bringing their work to the screen.
Story; Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
Robert McKee’s Story was first published in 1998 and has become a stalwart on Film and Screenwriting courses. What’s great about Story is McKee’s enthusiastic and eloquent style combined with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Hollywood cinema.
Story by Robert McKee is less a step by step guide but an overview of classical story techniques in the context of modern filmmaking. The most useful chapter being , The Principles of Story Design. In this chapter McKee describes some very useful techniques to creating and maintaining story movement. McKee also identifies key aspects of a story that make it compelling to an audience.
Robet McKee’s Story is a great book for the beginner screenwriter.
For some other tips on story writing that can help with writing a screenplay please read Aristotle’s Six Elements of Drama and The Seven Basic Plots.
Lights, Camera, Action!
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