The Coffee Break Screenwriter: Writing Your Script Ten Minutes at a Time - 2nd Edition

by Pilar Alessandra

Overview

The writer receives guidance and tips at every stage of the often intimidating writing process with a relaxed, “ten minutes at a time” method that focuses the writer and pushes him or her forward. At each step, writers are encouraged to “Take Ten” and tackle an element of their script using the templates and tools provided. “What You’ve Accomplished” sections help writers review their progress. And “Ten-Minute Lectures” distill and demystify old school theory, allowing the writer to unblock and get writing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615932542
Publisher:	Wiese, Michael Productions
Publication date:	05/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Pilar Alessandra is the director of the writing program On the Page®, host of the popular On the Page Podcast, and author of “The Coffee Break Screenwriter.” Pilar started her career as Senior Story Ana-lyst at DreamWorks SKG and, in 2001, opened the On the Page Writers’ Studio in Los Angeles. Her students and clients have written for The Walking Dead, Lost, House of Lies, Nip/Tuck, and Family Guy. They’ve sold features and pitches to Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Disney, and Sony, and have won the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship, Austin Screenwriting Competition, and Warner Bros. TV Writ-ing Workshop. Pilar has trained writers at ABC/Disney and CBS and traveled the world, teaching in London, Beijing, Warsaw, Lisbon, and South Africa. www.OnThePage.tv

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Story Emotion tells the story / Character flaw tells the story / The world tells the story / Premise tells the story / Secondary ­characters tell the story / Complication tells the story / Synopsizing tells the story / Resolution tells the story / Plot and character elements tell the story / You tell the story Chapter 2: The Structure Feature structure made simple / TV pilot structure made simple / Organizing your story / The structure sheet Chapter 3: The Outline The eight-sequence beat sheet / The beat-sheet rewrite / The scene list / Scene brainstorming / Finding scenes through setup and payoff Chapter 4: The Characters Character biography / Character makes an entrance / Character rules / Creating great antagonists Chapter 5: The First Draft Scene intention / Quicky format / The speed draft / Script development: add new scenes / Script development: build on existing scenes / Script development: add your voice Chapter 6: The Dialogue Verbal agenda / Verbal strategy / Dialogue as a game / Finding character voice Chapter 7: The Rewrite The concept pass / The structure pass / The story pass / The scene pass / The character pass / The dialogue pass / The format pass / The element pass / The holistic pass Chapter 8: The Craft The placement of action lines / Choreography in action lines / Fight scenes / Emotional action lines / The “tell” of the scene / The button / Scene transitions / Narrative devices / Character and setting descriptions / Essence plus action / Tonal writing Chapter 9: The Final Edit Story intention edit / Genre intention edit / Line cut edit / Scene trimming edit / The general edit Chapter 10: The Presentation Print and bind / Protect your material / Pitch your script / The personal pitch / Marketing materials Chapter 11: The Opportunity Networking / New media / Video games, game shows, promos, and reality TV / What if they like me? / The long pitch

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Pilar Alessandra and The Coffee Break Screenwriter

“This book teaches you how to turn a brilliant idea into a tangible product. Whenever I sit down to write something substantial, I refer to my crumpled-up, old Pilar notes.”

—Ben Mekler, head writer, Nerdist Industries

“Pilar Alessandra’s screenwriting techniques are among the most valuable I’ve ever come across. She takes a systematic approach to every step of the process, carefully guiding the writer from concept to final draft.”

—Chris Sparling, writer, Buried

“Writing a screenplay can be like waging a war. It’s you versus the blank page. This book is like a strategic field guide about the art of war, so keep it handy the next time you type FADE IN.”

—Jeff Portnoy, literary manager, Bellevue Productions; former head of story at Resolution Talent Agency and staff reader at Creative Artists Agency

From the Publisher