What are some good books on screenwriting?

The Screenwriter's Bible is the text we used in class, it is an excellent refference.  Its only 20 dollars online, here, or you may shop around yourself if you are interested in buying it.  http://www.cheapesttextbooks.c.....&get_book_info=1

Ive also read Syd Fields, the guru of screenwriting books.  I feel the "Bible" is a better place to begin, then read other books that get into more specifics and hone your writing.

Don it seems you have double posted a thread.  I assume it was an accident, and will leave it up today just in case it isnt.  Otherwise ill exercide my mod powers and delete the extra one.

The Screenwriter's Bible is the only book I have.  It is the only book I need.  I flipped through Syd Fields' books and they seem to be pretty good too.  You could always buy Screenwriting for Dummies.

EsKay are you familiar with How Not To Write A Screenplay by.....not sure.

I have heard some good stuff about the book at some places and was wondering if you had any thoughts about it. I have never owned a book (I know, I know, don't kill me) and am looking to get one. Research so far shows that Screenwriters Bible is highly praised but so is that above mentioned one.

I have both How Not to Write a Screenplay and The Screenwriter's Bible.  I read the former in its entirety, but the Screenwriter's Bible seemed kind of monotous to me.  It's most valuable as a textbook, with the index for searching.  I have not read Screenwriting for Dummies, but I don't really plan to read any more screenwriting books.  I think they're only helpful for your first few scripts (in other words practice scripts), for shooting scripts, and for formatting for people who don't have Final Draft or similar software.

Can you elaborate on the bible being monotous?  It mixes both story building, formatting and  promo pretty evenly i thought.  Anyhow, most people here would benifit from the bible.  I have not read "How Not to Write a Screenplay."  Any text you read on the subject can only better yourself.

You can't hurt yourself by continuously reading book after book on screenwriting.  The Screenwriter's Bible is the best all-in-one resource I've seen.  Every screenwriter should have at least that one book.

Quoted from bodegage, posted March 24th, 2004, 9:08pm at here EsKay are you familiar with How Not To Write A Screenplay by.....not sure. I have heard some good stuff about the book at some places and was wondering if you had any thoughts about it. I have never owned a book (I know, I know, don't kill me) and am looking to get one. Research so far shows that Screenwriters Bible is highly praised but so is that above mentioned one.

Author:  Denny Martin Flinn.  My boyfriend bought it for me a couple Christmases ago.  I think it's a really great reference.  I recommend it.

The one recommended in my directing class just this afternoon was McKee's "Story".

Crafty Screenwriting by Alex Epstein.

Explains the less is more theory. Definite worthy purchase.

Elements of Style for Screenwriters by Paul Argentini

Also:
Funk and Wagnall's Elements of Style -- Every writer should live by it!

How good is the ELEMENTS OF STYLE FOR SCREENWRITERS.  I almost bought it, but didn't.  Should I get it?

ELEMENTS OF STYLE FOR SCREENWRITERS:
It's cheap...it's quick...it's easy...it's useful.

A couple of my favorites....

For beginners....The Everything Screenwriting Book...Robert Pollock
covers all the basic topics in an easy to read and understand format.

For career minded screenwriters..."The Whole Picture- Stratagies for Screenwriting Success in the New Hollywood" - Richard Walter
As the title sugest this book should only be read by those who are serious about a career in screenwriting as it focuses on writing 'marketable' scripts.  IMO a must read, it's a clear, no BS look into writing a script that has a chance to sell.  Lots of extra info...finding an agent, etc.

Need a creative boost?...try...."Creative Screenwriting, A Practical Guide"
More of a workbook than anything else.  Focuses directly on elements of screenwriting such as dialogue, timing, endings.  A short, simple read that is clear and consise. An easy way to learn some of the nuances  of  the craft. 

Thanks.  I will check them out, when I have some free time and some cash in my wallet.

I can recommend to you all, three books at least that might offer you step by step guidance to writing scripts. David Trottier's Screenwriting Bible, Laura Schellhardt's Screenwriting for Dummies[not insulting your intelligence but can be likened to a large down to earth Ladybird book. I found those delightful when I was a child. Finally Rob Davis, Developing Characters for ScriptWriting - all of which you can get from your library

I've read a lot of books, but I'm still not very good at writing.  
The book that probably helped me the most though was "How NOT to Write a Screenplay" by Denny Martin Flinn. He explains things in a very easy way and he's very funny too.

I believe he's a produced screenwriter and novelist and used to be a studio reader as well. He's very good at explaing what the "reader" want to see and what they chuck in the trash.

I'll post three as well:

The Screenwriter's Bible, by David Trottier.  This one's pretty common knowledge, and for good reason.  Indespensable.

How To Write A Selling Screenplay, by Christopher Keane.  What I like most about this book is that Keane includes a screenplay he wrote and which has been kicking around the studio system for years.  It's a great script, and he goes into detail on why sometimes even the best scripts never make it to a screen -- including his.

I also want to also point out one that isn't a "how to" book, but an actual published screenplay...

The Shawshank Redemption published screenplay, by Frank Darabont with a forward by Stephen King.  I mentioned this in another thread but can't stress enough how truly informative this book is.  It contains the actual screenplay (shooting draft) and includes a section which discusses scenes which were cut from the final film and why.  Darabont gives some invaluable information here.

It's more than three, but I compiled a list some time ago:

The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier -- this is my number one most recommended book. I even posted the major points on his screenwriting workbook in the Screenwriting Class under "Screenwriting Palette" -- it's a sticky.

Screenwriting 101: The Essential Craft of Feature Film Writing by Neill D Hicks  

Elements of Style for Screenwriters by Paul Argentini    

How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make by Denny Martin Flinn  

Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger    

Making a Good Writer Great: A Creativity Workbook for Screenwriters by Linda Seger  

The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and the Elements of a Screenplay by David Howard, Edward Mabley (Contributor), Frank Daniel (Introduction)    

Secrets of Screenplay Structure: How to Recognize and Emulate the Structural Frameworks of Great Films by Linda J. Cowgill  

Selling a Screenplay: The Screenwriter's Guide to Hollywood by Syd Field    

How to Write a Selling Screenplay: A Step-By-Step Approach to Developing Your Story and Writing Your Screenplay by One of Today's Most Successful Screenwriters and Teachers by Christopher Keane, Julius Epstein (Foreword)  

500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader : Writing the Screenplay the Reader Will Recommend by Jennifer Lerch    

You Can Write a Movie (You Can) by Pamela Wallace  

Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting by Skip Press    

Afi Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV (Writing Great Screenplays for Film and Tv, 2nd Ed) by Dona Cooper  

The Elements of Screenwriting by Irwin R Blacker    

Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay by Andrew Horton  

Writing Treatments That Sell: How to Create and Market Your Story Ideas to the Motion Picture and TV Industry by Chi-Li Wong, Kenneth J. Atchity    

Writing the Second Act: Building Conflict and Tension in Your Film Script by Michael Halperin  

Writer's Guide to Hollywood Producers, Directors, and Screenwriter's Agents, 2002-2003: Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over! by Skip Press    

The Perfect Pitch: How to Sell Yourself and Your Movie Idea to Hollywood by Ken Rotcop, James K. Shea, Marlane McGarry (Editor)  

The Writer Got Screwed (but didn't have to) : Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry by Brooke A Wharton    

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee  

I found this list online some time ago, and held on to it, planning to get at least some of these books. I want How To beat The Hollywood Reader to satisfy my curiosity there. It's supposed to be written by a reader.

I've got another that hasn't been mentioned.  It's called "Filmmaker's Dictionary" by Ralph S. Singleton and James A. Conrad.  It's 350+ pages of terms for both film and script.  Very useful.  

There's only one screenwriting book I actually bought and that's Teach Yourself: Screenwriting. Most of the entire book is about the prewriting process but it has good advice on sending it out once it's finished too. I really like it. But I've read Screenwriting for Dummies and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting and those are good too.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee  

This is the only book I've ever read about screenwriting and it taught me a hell of a lot. The first thing it taught was that I knew bugger about screenwriting and after I read it I knew a lot more.

I also attended McKee's screenwriting seminar when he was in Melbourne and learnt a lot from that too.

Here's McKee's Ten Commandments

1 Thou shalt not take the crisis/climax out of the protagonist's hands. The anti-deux ex machina commandment.

2 Thou shalt not make life easy for the protagonist. Nothing progresses in a story, except through conflict.

3 Thou shalt not give exposition for strictly exposition's sake. Dramatize it. Convert exposition to ammunition. Use it to turn the ending of a scene, to further the conflict.

4 Thou shalt not use false mystery or cheap surprise. Don't conceal anything important that the protagonist KNOWS. Keep us in step with the hero. We know what he/she knows.

5 Thou shalt respect your audience. The anit-hack commandment.

6 Thou shalt know your world as God knows this one. The pro-research commandment.

7 Thou shalt not complicate when complexity is better. Don't multiply the complications on one level. Use all three; Intra-Personal, Inter-Personal, Extra Personal.

8 Thou shalt seek the end of the line, the negation of the negation, taking characters to the farthest reaches and depth of conflict imaginable within the story's own realm of probability.

9 Thou shalt not write on the nose. Put a subtext under every text.

10 Thou shalt rewrite.

I've also found McKee's "Story" invaluable, though I know some find him too bombastic.  

I don't think "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler has been mentioned .  It's about the relationship between film stories and myth and how mythic archetypes inform modern storytelling.  Not a "tips" book, but a fascinating read if you are unfamiliar with the whole Joseph Cambell la-di-da.

Quoted from Hecate I've also found McKee's "Story" invaluable, though I know some find him too bombastic.

I liked him. When I spoke to him during the breaks at the seminar, he came across as a very serious but reasonable guy. Anyway, he’s taught me a hell of a lot about screenwriting; I have nothing but respect for the man.

It seems quite a few people like the Screenwriter's Bible, I've added that to my list

"I don't think "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler has been mentioned .  It's about the relationship between film stories and myth and how mythic archetypes inform modern storytelling.  Not a "tips" book, but a fascinating read if you are unfamiliar with the whole Joseph Cambell la-di-da."

Thats right, "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler  is one of the best!

By the way this book is Kevan R Craft's favourite one!

Quoted from Takeshi It seems quite a few people like the Screenwriter's Bible, I've added that to my list

Me too - I'd never heard of it before!  

Has anyone tried "Screenplay" by Syd Field?  I got a couple of chapters in and gave up.  He seemed very prosaic and plodding compared to McKee (not to mention dated...)

Quoted from Hecate Has anyone tried "Screenplay" by Syd Field?  I got a couple of chapters in and gave up.  He seemed very prosaic and plodding compared to McKee (not to mention dated...)

I had a copy of it about ten years ago but lost interest. All I really remember is him waffling on about the paradigm.

I must be the only one not to have read ANY books on screenwriting. I did learn by myself, only reading existing scripts, watching movies and reading subtitles. I never wanted to read books on screenwriting because they're generally never written by screenwriters or people who write on movies. If there was any good recipe to write the perfect screenplay, nobody would be here. We'd all meet in Hollywood.

My secret is just WORK, WORK and WORK again. And most of all, never being discouraged.

Michel

Quoted from Hecate Has anyone tried "Screenplay" by Syd Field?  I got a couple of chapters in and gave up.  He seemed very prosaic and plodding compared to McKee (not to mention dated...)

This is the book which kicked off my interest in screenwriting.  An old roommate picked it up and said something along the lines of hey, check this out, it says how to write a movie.  So, being a film buff I gave it a read.  Found that it read quite a bit like stereo instructions but it got me interested nevertheless.

The thing with screenwriting books is that they're okay to a point, but at the end of the day the most important thing a writer can do is sit their ass down and write, that's the true discipline.

Quoted from Takeshi The thing with screenwriting books is that they're okay to a point, but at the end of the day the most important thing a writer can do is sit their ass down and write, that's the true discipline.

I agree 100%.
I have a huge problem with the self discipline required to actually finish something.

Another thing is that people can read about how to do things until they are blue in the face. Knowing all the technical and structural aspects of writing, but ultimately, it always comes down to the story itself. I have read scripts that were not quite perfect technically, but I didn't care, I just kept reading because the story itself was that good. I've also read scripts that were spot on with no problems what so ever regarding the tech part, but I could barely finish it because it bored me to death.

Quoted from Lon Found that it read quite a bit like stereo instructions but it got me interested nevertheless.

LOL yes!  For a writer, he had the most amazingly snooze-worthy style!

On the subject of self-discipline: Yes I think that reading screenwriting books could just become another form of procrastination, but personally I've found the likes of "Story" and one or two others an inspiration.  I wouldn't like to jump into something like screenwriting without doing ANY research, because I know from previous experience that I'd waste a couple of years flailing around re-inventing the wheel...and then end up having to read something anyway when I got completely stuck.  

I bought a few screenwriting books when I started out, then my boss bought me a load more so I've read a ton of these.

Screenwriting books can only take you so far, but here's a quick list of some of the books I've read:

Teach Yourself Screenwriting - Raymond Frensham. The first screenwriting book I read and probably one of the best. The author is British but he definitely knows his stuff when it comes to both the U.K. market and Hollywood. Great for beginners with a lot of good advice about concept and prewriting, as well as marketing your script.

Story - Robert McKee. A must read.

Making a Good Script Great - Linda Seger. Not one of my favourites but it's pretty useful for the rewriting process.

Creating Unforgettable Characters - Linda Seger. An excellent guide to character development.

The Secrets of Action Screenwriting - W.C. Martell. An enjoyable read with some great tips for action writing. Not the most comprehensive, but I picked up some great tips from this book. Martell's sold around 18 scripts so he knows his stuff.

The Screenwriter's Bible - David Trottier. Great resource for formatting questions and learning structure.

Television and Screenwriting - Richard Blum. Another good formatting resource, with examples of format from several T.V. shows. Probably more useful for T.V. writers.

I'd also recommend the works of Vogler and Campbell on the hero's journey. Study Aristotle, Shakespeare, Checkhov, Ibsen etc. You can learn a lot from great playwrights IMO.

I have a few more screenwriting books, but I forget their titles. Strangely enough, I think the only one I haven't read is Syd Field's.

You'll find most of these books repeat a lot of info from others. You only really need two or three of the better titles.

Has anyone read a book called 'The Hollywood Standard" by Christopher Riley? It’s about script format and style. I borrowed it from the library toady. It was published last year.

Quoted Text Secrets of Screenplay Structure: How to Recognize and Emulate the Structural Frameworks of Great Films by Linda J. Cowgill

I second this. Not finished reading it yet (not even half-way!), but so far it's been an excellent read, using films like Witness, Casablanca, and Quiz Show as examples. The title can be misleading because it's not a list of secrets, but rather discusses specific areas of screenwriting in detail, and why the films mentioned worked so well.

I also read Screenplay and thought it was good. The Screenwriter's Workbook is good also.