Next Level Screenwriting: Insights, Ideas and Inspiration for the Intermediate Screenwriter, 1st Edition

Next Level ScreenwritingInsights, Ideas and Inspiration for the Intermediate Screenwriter, 1st EditionBy David Landau, David Bennett Carren152 pagesNext Level Screenwriting is an intermediate screenwriting book, for those that have already learned the basics of screenwriting, written a screenplay or two and want to bring their writing and stories to the next level.Each chapter of the book examines a specific aspect of screenwriting, such as character, dialogue and theme, and then provides the reader with ideas, tips and inspiration to apply to their own writing. Rather than being another “how to” book, this volume features a variety of case studies and challenging exercises throughout – derived from a broad selection of successful feature films and TV shows from the 1940s to the present day – to help spark the imagination of the writer as they work through different styles and approaches of screenwriting.An absolute must-read for any screenwriter wanting to improve their writing and storytelling skills.Reviews‘Whether you’re writing your first script or your twentieth, this book will help you take your screenplay to the next level. An absorbing read – great examples and explanations from well-known films and television shows, all with practical applications to your own work!’—Anna Weinstein, Series Editor, PERFORM: Succeeding as a Creative Professional, and Screenwriting Instructor, Auburn UniversityTable of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1: Don’t be afraid of Genre – keeping your promise to your viewer    Enjoying the Genre    Crossing Genres    A Final NoteChapter 2: The Write Approach – Finding how to approach telling your story and the point of attach    Motivated Style    The Internal Approach    Maintaining an Established Style    Style that fits the GenreChapter 3: Character depth – Thinking about more layered characters and their motivations    Character Motivation    the Character Mask    Humor as Character    the Other Character Change    Television CharactersChapter 4: Dialogue that does more than further the plot    A Distinct Voice    Attitude Dialogue    Period Dialogue    Dialogue that Reveals Character    Poetic dialog    Contemporary Dialogue    When Talk is ActionChapter 5: Poetic Description – Writing your settings can be as creative as writing your story    Choosing Your Words    Describing for the Mind’s Eye    Writing for the Reader    Humorously SaidChapter 6: Finding the Theme – Discovering what your writing is all about    Popular Movies have Themes    Shared Themes of Westerns & Horror    We have met the Enemy and they are us    The Stronger the Theme the Stronger the Story    Even Comedy has a Theme    The Naked ThemeChapter 7; First Person Narrative Screenwriting – Writing voice over narration and found footage stories    Narration that isn’t a Crutch    Hardboiled Wit Narration    Found Footage as First Person    Mockumentary)Chapter 8: Dealing with Multiple Protagonist Syndrome or Navigating the ensemble screenplay    Ensemble vs Episodic    Linking Stories    Playing with Time    Ensemble Characters    Reoccurring Locations    The Ensemble Anchor    Ensemble in the Park    The Trouble with EnsembleChapter 9: Based on True Events & Research – Writing the core of the truth without being boring    Adapting History    Free yourself from the Truth    Find a Special Event in History    Find a Special Place in History    Research that Works for You    This All Applies to TelevisionChapter 10: Set-up, Pay-off and the Twist – Writing in things that go around and came around    Twilight Zone Set-up/Pay-off    Twist Ending Set-up/Pay-off    Character Character Character    Twists in TV    Comedy Set-up/Pay-off    The Aristotle ConnectionChapter 11: Writing for a Budget – Writing screenplays under budget constraints    Micro-budget Feature    Independent Low Budget    Hollywood low budget    Limited budget TVChapter 12: Rewriting: The Pain and the Gain    Working in backstory    Development Rewrite    Production Rewrite    Post Production Rewrite    A Note on Taking Notes    Three Tricks to Note TakingChapter 13: Wrote the Script, Now What?    Copyright    Feedback    Contests    Producers and Agents    They Call it Hollywood    Make it Yourself    Low Budget Independents    How and How Much    Show Me the Money – in the Movies    Show Me the Money – in Television    Don’t Undo Your SaleIndexAbout the AuthorsDavid Landau is an award-winning screenwriter and playwright with seven plays published and is the author of the books Lighting for Cinematography and Film Noir Production in addition to numerous articles on screenwriting for such magazines as Script, Screenwriter’s Monthly, Student Filmmakers Magazine and HD ProGuide. His feature screenwriting credits include Murder at Café Noir and Dark Tarot. David earned his MFA in Screenwriting from Goddard College and is a full Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is also a member of the Dramatists Guild and the University Film & Video Association.David Bennett Carren is an award-winning screenwriter whose work includes numerous episodes for such television shows as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Stargate SG1, Martial Law, Dennis the Menace, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles among others. His feature films include Mr. Hell and Waiting for Sandoval, and he was the writer/director on the feature film The Red Queen. A member of the Writers Guild of America and the University Film & Video Association, David earned his MFA in Screenwriting from Spalding University and is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he is the Interim Chair of the Department of Theatre.