Why Does the Screenwriter Cross the Road?: And other screenwriting secrets

by Joe Gilford

Overview

Writers will understand why they’re stuck and how to get unstuck through proven methods of breaking the logjam of self-judging and second-guessing that keeps good screenplays from being finished. Attain confidence by knowing your story is clear and solid. Seal out negative influences such as “industry experts” and fleeting trends. This is a way to write a script with integrity that makes a screenplay “storyworthy.” This is how to write a screenplay that works.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615932313
Publisher:	Wiese, Michael Productions
Publication date:	05/01/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	826 KB

About the Author

JOE GILFORD is a 35-year veteran writer, director and producer. His upcoming feature screenplays, Kalimantan and Moonbounce, are currently in preparation. He has written documentaries for PBS’ award-winning American Experience. He is one of the most popular professors at NYU’s undergraduate film department since 1999. He teaches and lectures nationwide, including Montclair State University in New Jersey, Hollins University in Virginia and Columbia University. He is an in-demand script consultant through his website StoryRescue.com consulting with dozens of writers on their screenplays, TV scripts, plays and novels. He is the recipient of an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant for his play Danny’s Brain about football concussions. His off-Broadway play Finks was critically acclaimed and nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play and an Off-Broadway Alliance award for Best New Play. The play was videotaped for the prestigious Lincoln Center Theater on Film collection, usually reserved for Broadway productions. Finks is published by Dramatists Play Service.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION What you’ll get out of this book and how to make it work for you. 1: FILM IS NOT A VISUAL MEDIUM Why it’s taken you so long to write an unfinished script. 2: SCREENPLAYS ARE NOT WRITTEN—THEY’RE BUILT Stories are ENERGY MACHINES: The “Action Structure” of your story. 3: SO THERE’S THIS PERSON… How to create great characters for great actors! 4: IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE THIS STORY—WHO WILL?? You CAN make this stuff up: “Zombie Rules” and how to get your audience to believe everything in your story. 5: SUSTAINABLE SCREENWRITING The story is ALWAYS being told and “No Character Left Behind.” 6: TOOL BAG: SOME OF THE GADGETS YOU’LL NEED How NOT to write BAD dialogue, voiceover, flashbacks, and montages. 7: OK, NOW GO WRITE YOUR SCRIPT! Step by step by step by step by step by step: your story has clarity. 8: NOW WHAT? Staying confident in your work and getting it out there! APPENDIX: Recommended Viewing