The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

The Screenwriter's Bible is an excellent reference book for the aspiring screenwriter. There are two important things that this book teaches. First of all, it helps new writers with their approach to writing. There are a lot of probing questions which the writer can use to evaluate their story, characters, and dialog themselves. These reminders help to keep the beginning writer on track.The second point that this book teaches well is formatting. It teaches the beginning writer the best way to format a spec script. Also it helps the reader to tell the difference between a spec script and a shooting script. A beginning writer needs to write a spec script, so there is no need to worry about camera angles and so forth. That's the director's job. As a writer, your job is to tell a story, and that's what a spec script is all about.There is one weak point. This book doesn't do a good job with the section on selling the script, but I don't think that it's such a bid problem. Just consider this a guide for writing and the section on selling as an add-on. The writing section alone is worth the price of this book.

The Screenwriter's Bible is more than advice, more than a compendium of rules and directions. This book breaks down the art and step-by-step process of writing a screenplay that works and has a chance of success in the market. What are the plot elements? What goes into making good characters, how are they created, and how do they work in a script? What is the step-by-step process, and how does it all come together? And when it's all done, how is the product formatted (right down to preferred fonts), how does one find and work with an agent, and how is it sold?All this is in The Screenwriter's Bible, the information related with enthusiasm (and the insight of a professional) by David Trottier. Ever wondered how a script proceeds from idea to finished product to movie? This is a fascinating account of that process. Want to try your hand at it yourself (or are you already a screenwriter who would like some good insight into your craft)? This book is definitely something you want to check out.Worth many times the price!

I usually do not like "How To..." books when it comes to creativity. You can't learn from a book on how to write a great creative work. Sure, you can get tips on what not to do, or get ideas and concepts of what worked for current ideas. But, you need to have your own foundation to have creative ideas spring forth.Which is why I like this book. This book will not tell you how to write your antagonist and protagonist. It will give you the foundation of your trade. If you want to get into screenwriting, you must know how to present your material. If you don't know that, then there's no way you will even get noticed. It will show you how to open scenes, write action and dialogue, how to do the basic formating of your script.Not much else to say. If you are curious about the format for screenplays or how to turn your creative idea into a screenplay format, then this is a great place to start.

Like the title says, this book does a really good job helping new writer's seeking to write a screenplay understand how to format and structure their screenplay. There are some tips about how to sell your script but in my experience this is purely just advice and should be considered on a per-individual basis.

It was like my screenwriting professor was in the same room as the author! The author did a fabulous job with his examples sections after each lesson. This proves valuable when you aren't completely familiar with the subject and even more useful for those who have some inkling because it becomes then a reinforcement. Pratical advice for a crazy and impratical business/subject. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more.

I purchased this book from a seller here which came to me reeking of smoke and discolored.Getting through the smell,the book kept my interest. I've searched through many books looking for the right one to study and this one explains in more detail "how to". Trottier shows you how to set your margins,dialogue, character's front page and much more. Even if you don't have a Manager or an Agent the book will show you how to sell your manuscript without them. For beginners I would tell them this book has everything you need from start to finish.

Otherwise undamaged

I think that it's unduly pedantic to criticize books that reduce a craft to a formula. Using a formula can be an excellent way to begin to learn your craft. Write to formula for a while so its elements are firmly in your brain. Then, like training wheels, you can remove them.

very happy with product

Just as described a clear and comprehensive manual.

Excellent layout and very instructive

Helps, now I have to sit down and write it