I wasn't aware of this, but all the time we complain that the only people who ever write Screenwriting books are the people who've never actually been successful screenwriters.

Apparently, Dan O'Bannon always wanted to change that and began writing a book. Unfortunately he died in 2009, so his widow and Matt Lohr (a screenwriting student refered to by O'Bannon) got to finishing his book.

It's now published:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dan-OBannons-Guide-Screenplay-Structure/dp/1615931309

Dan's IMDB profile is Here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0639321/

I've not read the book, but I'd love to give it a look - the Amazon blurb refers to a couple of things that I've not come across before - if anyone does read it, maybe they can let us all in on a couple of tricks the guy has?

O'Bannon wrote Alien, Total Recall, and others.

Return of the Living Dead was always a favorite of mine.
I was unaware of his passing til now...

He wrote Blue Thunder, too.

Picked this up recently.
Plan to read it between writing new drafts of who knows what.

But right now I'm reading Pen Densham's, Riding the Alligator.
http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Alligator-Strategies-Screenplay-Writing/dp/193290784X

I do recall hearing O'Bannon's methodology differs from the book publishing herd.
Once I read it, I'll bump the thread.

Regards,
E.D.

I've heard quentin writes few books on screen writing or he will write :-)

I really like Dan O'Bannon's work so I will give this a look.  In fact he wrote and directed some of my all time faves.

I also loved his incredibly grumpy interviews on DVD extra's. Grumpy and bow-tie wearing is an awesome combo.