How to Write: A Screenplay - by Mark Evan Schwartz (Paperback)

About the Book

A screenwriting manual written in the form of a screenplay, this title's hero is Danny, who travels to Screenwriting Hell to see what happens to writers who never make the grade.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Mark Evan Schwartz's book is 'a good read' and it's also an instructional read that guides a new screenwriter through the maze of writing a good screenplay, much the same way Virgil guided Dante through another potentially hellish experience all those many years ago."--Sanford Lakoff

"This is not a dry read but is rather entertaining. The formatting of a script quickly makes sense and the learning to be had is a wide array. If you want to learn the steps to successfully creating a movie script, this has the technical knowledge you will need." -Darth Weasel Book Reviews

Mark Evan Schwartz knows screenwriting like Dante knew Hell. Not that screenwriting is hell all of the time, but it is often enough to need a great roadmap, and "How to Write: a SCREENPLAY" does that beautifully, with humor and invention and a thorough respect for both the basics and the sulphorous details. And the notion of writing it in the form of a screenplay, called writing for the hell of it, is just plain inspiration. Writing a screenplay that really works is deceptively difficult. Reading this book and following its wisdom decidedly is not. Wes Craven--Sanford Lakoff

"As entertaining and engaging as it is informed and informative, How to Write a Screenplay "is an impressive, 'reader friendly', professional, practical, instructive, superbly organized and presented 'how to' manual that is very strongly recommended reading for any and all aspiring playwrights and novice screenwriters."- James Cox, Library Bookwatch, "August 2007--Sanford Lakoff

"The latest edition "How to Write a Screenplay "appears in its revised, expanded edition to add a chapter on "The Pitch" and features a screenplay-like format which sets it apart from others on the market.... Learn the basics of writing and marketing a screenplay through a format that lends to lively insights: perfect for any public library or school collection catering to aspiring screenwriters."- "Bookwatch/ California Bookwatch, "July 5, 2007--Sanford Lakoff

"This is not a dry read but is ratherentertaining. The formatting of a script quickly makes sense and the learningto be had is a wide array. If you want to learn the steps to successfullycreating a movie script, this has the technical knowledge you will need." -DarthWeasel Book Reviews

"An interesting and worthwhile experiment. A fast and informative read... A fun way to learn how to write a script!" Screenwriting magazine

"Schwartz delivers a wonderfully unique concept...a great idea and the most entertaining way of learning the process." -Script Magazine

About the Author

Mark Evan Schwartz is Associate Professor of Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University, School of Film and Television, in California, USA. He's a former Head of Story Development for Nelson Entertainment, Story Analyst for the David Geffen Company, and Production Assistant to Francis Ford Coppola. A working screenwriter, he has credits on over a dozen produced feature films and television movies.