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Summary: Secrets of Screenplay Structure
Review: Secrets of Screenplay Structure is by far the best book on screenwriting ever written! Everyone in the entertainment industry considers this literary masterpiece the "bible" for screenwriters. Even myself, Steve Comisar, the writer of the film, EA$Y $TREET, due for release Christmas 2002, found the book a necessary tool for writing my script. Out of all the hundred or so books I have read on screenwriting, Ms. Cowgill's book is hands down the very best. A must for every writer, actor, producer, director and film student! If you want to have any chance of selling your screenplay to Hollywood, you must order this book today!
Rating:
Summary: Secrets of Screenplay Structure
Review: Secrets of Screenplay Structure is by far the best book on screenwriting ever written! Everyone in the entertainment industry considers this literary masterpiece the "bible" for screenwriters. Even myself, Steve Comisar, the writer of the film, EA$Y $TREET, due for release Christmas 2002, found the book a necessary tool for writing my script. Out of all the hundred or so books I have read on screenwriting, Ms. Cowgill's book is hands down the very best. A must for every writer, actor, producer, director and film student! If you want to have any chance of selling your screenplay to Hollywood, you must order this book today!
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Summary: A Book that really teaches
Review: Secrets of Screenplay Structure is the best book out there on screenwriting. It not only introduces you to the fundamentals, but details the many intricacies of structuring a plot that make a great film. The examples are right on and help to illuminate the many great points the author makes.This book is focused,rich in detail and wonderfully laid out and explained. I'd recommend it to everyone!
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Summary: The Midwest Book Review
Review: Secrets of Screenplay Structure will help writers and film buffs to understand how and why great films work, as well as how great form and function can combine to bring a story alive. The book is highly recommended reading for all aspiring script writers and neophyte film critics.
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Summary: Lives up to half its title
Review: She's got the "Recognize" part down cold. The analyses are excellent. "Emulate," however, is almost entirely absent, except in the vaguest of terms. This book has helped me to become a slightly better viewer of movies, but not a significantly better writer of screenplays.That's my major quibble. My minor quibble is the constant use of the word "great" when, in fact, what's really meant is "extremely solidly constructed, with clear points of interest for commentary." Not the same thing. If you just don't know what makes a story tick, this book is good for getting you up to speed. If you already know what makes a story tick, and you're looking to expand your understanding in a practical, useful way, this is not a good book for it. For instance, I already understand what a subplot is--but being able to recognize it in a diagram after the fact isn't the same thing as knowing how to construct one. This book is mostly "Look at what a subplot looks like after you've made one." Again, recognition rather than emulation. Worth the time, and interesting. But not as practically useful as I would have preferred.
Rating:
Summary: Lives up to half its title
Review: She's got the "Recognize" part down cold. The analyses are excellent. "Emulate," however, is almost entirely absent, except in the vaguest of terms. This book has helped me to become a slightly better viewer of movies, but not a significantly better writer of screenplays. That's my major quibble. My minor quibble is the constant use of the word "great" when, in fact, what's really meant is "extremely solidly constructed, with clear points of interest for commentary." Not the same thing. If you just don't know what makes a story tick, this book is good for getting you up to speed. If you already know what makes a story tick, and you're looking to expand your understanding in a practical, useful way, this is not a good book for it. For instance, I already understand what a subplot is--but being able to recognize it in a diagram after the fact isn't the same thing as knowing how to construct one. This book is mostly "Look at what a subplot looks like after you've made one." Again, recognition rather than emulation. Worth the time, and interesting. But not as practically useful as I would have preferred.
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Summary: Great book for real screenwriters!
Review: This book is a real find! I've read more than a few screenwriting manuals, and have film and television credits, but this is one of the best. Instead of just laying on theory and formulas, this book leads you through the principles of screenwriting. It builds on fundamentals and really teaches you what to look for when you analyse a movie, then it helps you then apply these same criteria to your own project. The book uses a limited number of film examples, directing you to watch these films either before or while you read a chapter. (If you can find a copy of the script, she tells you to read this before you watch the film! But watch the film!)This is especially helpful, because the points made become crystal clear. Many films change between even the final shooting script and the movie that's made. Cowgill addresses this, showing why changes are made and talks about what makes the film better. Limiting the number of example films is also helpful, because you are not overwhelmed by information on films you have never seen or have no intention of seeing. For the most part, she selects popular and great films for each of her chapters. Author Cowgill also includes a detailed chapter on nonlinear films. This is a real find. One of the hardest structures to master, very little has been written about it to help a writer working in this area, and yet it's popular with many filmmakers (and very difficult to pull off). Cowgill's work should be a must read for them. But then again, it should be a must for all of us. All in all a great text, and something every screenwriter should have on his bookshelf.
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Summary: Clear, Well Written and Accessible
Review: This is a great book, written for film afficiandos as well as beginners. Well laid out and clearly explained, Secrets sets out important information on all aspects of screenwriting. I was impressed with the detail, clear choices in the examples the author uses and the ideas she sets forth. This is a real winner for those who really want to delve in and understand the creative process of screenwriting.
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Summary: Best Screenwriting Course in a Book
Review: This is a terrific concept for a screenwriting book. It is structured like a screenwriting course, laying out its foundation with a limited number of study films to clearly illustrate how screenplays are constructed. The author doesn't use a convoluted language, but gets right to the point, explaining what goes into in a great screenplay and film. This book is a classic. What's even better are the detailed chapters on ensemble and nonlinear films. No other screenplay book I've seen takes on this daunting task of analysing these two difficult types of film structures. At the end of each chapter, Cowgill discusses a final draft or late draft of each study film's screenplay and compares it with changes made to the final film. What would have been more interesting is to include a discussion of the selling screenplay, but that's a minor quibble. This is a great book for anyone interested in screenwriting or just understanding film in general. A real 5 star achievement.
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Summary: A one of a kind critique of great screenplays.
Review: This is an extraordinary guide to understanding screenplay structure. Not only does it clearly explain how to structure your screenplay but it does what no other screenwriting text does - it gives very in depth examples of how these structural elements work in well known great screenplays. The author is extremely knowledgeable and well versed, being an instructor and a professional screenwriter herself. The knowledge she imparts is highly useable, it's not just there to make academic points. I have taught screenwriting myself for many years and have read many such books but this one is truly exceptional. I would recommend it highly for beginning or advanced screenwriters alike. It's a delight.
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