I have read Robert McKee's books and seen lectures, talks given by him.
I have followed his recommendations on writing a script and reading Platon "Poetics", which is as current as it is today.
What other books, authors, talks ... do you recommend?
Screenwriting : What script books do you recommend ?! by Alejandro Marello
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I love Save the Cat. Even if you don't agree with its methods, it's an interesting read.
Pablo Minces I'm googling it ..
It is from the author Blake Snyder ?!
I found it interesting.
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https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Screenwriting-Business-Television-Writ...
Dan Guardino jajajajaja, ...which?!
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@david santo
I just bought it :) thank you !!!!
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I would read these books:
(1) "Save the Cat"
(2) "Your screenplay Sucks!" -- William M. Akers
(3) "The Writer's Journey" -- Christopher Vogler
(4) "Secrets of Fim Writing" -- Tom Lazarus ("Tom is God"-- a former student)
(5) "Writing the Second Act" -- Michael Halperin
And for inspiration -- telling you 99% is transpiration:
:(6) "Rebel without a Crew" -- Robert Rodriguez
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I can send you stuff, message me.
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John Truby ... look him up on YouTube. Great stuff!
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The Coffee Break Screenwriter by Pilar Alessandra is a good one. More so for outlining and running with a story.
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The best books on the business, art, and screenwriting
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Save the Cat, Blake Snyder
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The only one I've read so far is David Trottier's "The Screenwriter's Bible" which I would recommend. And even tho I haven't read it (not out yet) I'll rec CJ Walley's "Turn & Burn" cause why not? heh https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Burn-Scriptwriters-Writing-Screenplays/dp/19...
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Also started with STORY! Loved that book. The next reads that have been huge for me: How to Make a Good Script Great, The Moral Premise, Save the Cat, Save the Cat Strikes Back.
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I was told to read; 'Your Screenplay Sucks; 100 Ways to Make It Great'.
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There are so many good references here. "The Art of Dramatic Writing," by Lajos Egri is another good one.
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I'm a fan of How NOT To Write A Screenplay by Denny Martin Flinn (lots of examples from screenplays of well-known movies) and Inside Story: The Power Of The Transformational Arc by Dara Marks
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"I'll rec CJ Walley's "Turn & Burn" cause why not?"
The kind of endorsement a man can only dream of.
For a little different approach, you could check out "Emotional Structure" by Peter Dunne.
I love Ray Morton’s “A Quick Guide to Screenwriting”
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Its more about storytelling and character journey but Joseph Campbell's "Hero of a Thousand Faces" is something every screenwriter should have.
Really liking Hampton Fancher's book The Wall Will Tell You.
CJW - Is it too late to get it printed on back cover? LOL
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Linda Seger - check her out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUjcaRUsGI
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STORY by McKee is about as good as it gets. There are many others out there that put their own spin on the process ranging from good (Truby's Anatomy of Story) to abysmal (Snyder's Save the Cat- all three). Those all deal basically with the story concept/development. When it comes to actual scripting, there is none better than Trottier's (aka Dr. Format) The Screenwriter's Bible - it's updated every few years so that it's about as current as it gets.
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Strunk & White Elements of style English grammar book, Poetics, The Art of Creative Writing... read stacks of screenplays (thats if you want to work in Corporate America Show Business, write for American audiences).
@Doug Nelson Story by McKee literally changed my entire writing process. I absolutely HATE "Save the Cat", because it gives execs who have never even written a script before a reason to tear a script to pieces because it's the only experience with screenwriting they've ever had.
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@Cameron Tendaji - I think Save the Cat is an incredible read. YES I hear you about the producers. It's like an editor cutting a film in an NLE the director knows. Watch out. But for new writers, Save the Cat is incredible. As is STORY. That was the one I started with years ago.
@Kyler I agree. Save the Cat is great for new writers to learn the very basics of how to tell a story. But folks treat it like it's the Bible lol
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Save the Cat is one of the few books I suggest you burn (and yes, I knew Blake).
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Alejandro Marello My favorite is a book by William Akers called YOUR SCREENPLAY SUCKS! 100 ways to make it great!
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@kacee diehl demassi
It had been recommended to me. there are already several people who mention it.
I definitely give it to myself for Christmas. :)
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I feel books are meant to kindle our passion and intellect (or whatever the hell makes us want to be writers) to teach us something new but then we go our own way. A learning curve rather than set in stone ethos. John Truby is one of my favourites but even he says “There is no paint by numbers in writing.” I fly books around with me and don’t treat them as bibles but an old friend in case need reminding of certain user friendly snippets. EG Linda Aronson The 21st Century Screenplay, John Truby Anatomy of Story (full version) and Jeff Kitchen’s books. Some are free downloads on i phone like all Scott Myers books. (@gointothestory or blacklist) Some books fire me up so much I have to meet the person in real life like Linda and Scott.
Alejandro, Kacee is right. I read every screenwriting book I can get my hands on, but buy very few. This book is a great for showing you what NOT to do. Which is more helpful than being sold a formula which can become old and formulaic,