Some more recommended books about screen-writing that may be of interest:-
The Pitch by Eileen Quinn & Judy Counihan
As far as I’m aware the only UK book specifically about pitching, treatments etc, and by people who work in the industry and know from personal experience what works and what doesn’t.
Conversations With My Agent by Rob Long
Gives a really good insight into the working life of a successful US writer. And it’s very funny.
Bambi vs. Godzilla : On the Nature, Purpose & Practice of the Movie Business by David Mamet.
A good section on ‘the screenplay’ – also ‘technique’, ‘genre’ and other interesting insights.
Monster : Living Off the Big Screen by John Gregory Dunne.
A fascinating insight into the work of a US screenwriter
Do The Right Thing by Spike Lee
As well as the screenplay, the book contains Lee’s journal about the writing and making of the film.
Going Mad In Hollywood by David Sherwin.
Autobiography by the writer of ‘If’ and ‘O, Lucky Man!’
Save The Cat! By Blake Snyder
A lot of this book did nothing for me – far too much structure that came across as formula, and a lot of the movies he references – eg Aladdin – don’t really inspire. But as with all these books it’s a question of cherry-picking – there are some gems in there if you look hard enough. In this book it’s the end section – his insights on various ‘rules’ of screenwriting that he’s formulated stumbled upon in his years as a screenwriter.
Regards
Philip Shelley
script-consultant.co.uk
