If you like to outline before you write, this is the tool for you; if you're not an outliner, StoryView will make you a believer. This program
gives you the ability to outline your story in as much (or as little) detail as you desire, and to view the entire (or partial) outline on your
monitor. You start with three acts, then add as many sequences, scenes, and beats as you like. Elements can be added, moved, deleted, colored,
expanded, collapsed, you-name-it. There?s an onscreen timeline, a multi-tracking feature, and the ability to import/export from/to other programs
like Movie Magic Screenwriter, Microsoft Word, etc. As close to fun as outlining gets. Click the box at left to find the software on amazon.com.
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The Inside Pitch: Selling a Script in Hollywood (Special Edition) is an Emmy Award-nominated DVD featuring ICM story executives Christopher Lockhart
and Jack d'Annibale in a live pitch session where screenwriters pitch their ideas for instant feedback. Lockhart (now at William Morris) and
d'Annibale (who left ICM to work for Jerry Bruckheimer) are brutally honest and relentlessly entertaining. This special edition dvd contains
30 minutes of additional material not seen in the original tv broadcast. Click the cover at left to find the dvd.
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Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee. Despite the title, this book is about more than writing for
the screen. Story is story, whatever the medium, and certain basic principles apply regardless of format. Robert McKee is the acknowledged
master of storytelling principles as applied to the screen, but much of what he says is useful elsewhere. You can pay $800 to attend his
three-day Story Seminar—or pick up the book and get exactly the same information (albeit without McKee's acid wit). Densely written,
but a treasure nonetheless. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need has become enormously popular, going through twelve printings in three years.
Advice on improving story and marktability from Blake Snyder, co-writer of several million-dollar specs. The blurb from Screentalk magazine
reads: "You'd have to look far and wide to find a better book to help you achieve your goals. Quite simply one of the most practical guides to
writing mainstream spec scripts on the market.Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told . The follow-up to Save The Cat! (above) breaks
down fifty landmark movies in ten genres, demonstrating techniques used by other writers to meet the same challenges presented by your
story—which, the author says, will fit into one of those genres. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script (fourth edition) by David Trottier is a longtime
bestseller in the field. "Contains chapter and verse on all aspects of screenwriting, and addresses every key and fundamental principle from how
far to indent dialogue to how to speak to the agent's assistant," says Script magazine. And from UCLA Screenwriting Faculty Chairman
Richard Walter: "An invaluable new resource—a treasure chest of useful information—not only for new writers but also for seasoned
veterans." Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting (newly revised and updated edition) by Syd Field ranks among the most frequently recommended
books on screenwriting. Billed as "a step-by-step guide from concept to finished script." The Hollywod Reporter has called Field "the most
sought-after screenwriting teacher in the world." From the blurb by Stephen Bochco (writer/producer/director of LA Law and
NYPD BLue): "I would carry Syd Field around in my back pocket." Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Screenwriter's Workbook: Exercises and Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a Successful Screenplay (revised edition) is the companion
to Syd Field's Screenplay (above). Billed as Syd's workshop-in-a-book. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller is John Truby's popular guide to story construction for screenplays, novels,
and other forms of narrative fiction. "The perfect survival manual to help you negotiate the often confusing, contradictory, and cutthroat world
of professional screenwriting," says Larry Wilson, cowriter/coproducer of Beetlejuice and cowriter of The Addams Family. Click the cover at
left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives by Lajos Egri has been a classic since the 1940s.
Widely recommended for screenwriters, novelists, and playwrights, this book is actually an expansion of Egri's earlier How To Write A Play.
Still in print 60 years later—which says a lot. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Making A Good Script Great (revised and expanded second edition) by Hollywood script consultant Linda Seger. Oscar-winning screenwriter
William Kelley (Witness) has this to say: "Linda Seger has written quite simply the most brilliant and useful book on screenwriting that I
have ever seen. Widely recommended. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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How to Write a Movie in 21 Days: The Inner Movie Method by TV writer and script consultant Vicki King aims to tell you "how to get the
movie in your heart onto the page"—in three weeks. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader: Writing the Screenplay the Reader Will Recommend by Jennifer Lerch. Chances are good that
the first industry person to read your script will be a Hollywood reader. Where it goes after that—trash bin or desk upstairs—usually
depends on the reader's opinion. Author Jennifer Lerch has been a Hollywood reader for over ten years, eight of those at William Morris. Scripts
she's recommended have sold for as much as $1 million. If you want to know how Hollywood readers think—this book's for you. Click the cover
at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make by screenwriter, novelist, and former Hollywood script reader Denny
Martin Flinn aims to tell you how to avoid writing scripts that suck. By following Finn's advice, "you may not write a particularly good screenplay,
but you won't write a bad one." Which is, of course, a good place to start. The primary goal here is avoiding mistakes that could get your script
round-filed by a typical Hollywood reader. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Good Scripts, Bad Scripts: Learning the Craft of Screenwriting Through 25 of the Best and Worst Films in History by Tom Pope. While the
title is somewhat misleading—probably none of these films come close to being the worst Hollywood has to offer—author Pope takes an
interesting approach: analyze 25 films, giving creadit where it's due and trying to figure out what went wrong (and why) where it's not—or
where a few careful alterations to the script might have jumped the film to the next level. Many will disagree with Pope's choice of best and
worst, but his analyses are instructive. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Speak and Grow Rich (revised and updated). Intended for those planning to make a living as public speakers, this book is also useful for
those who must speak publicly to advance their careers—which means us. Co-author Dottie Walters is a founding member of the National Speakers
Association. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com. "Speak and Grow Rich will cut 10 years from your professional speaking learning
curve," says the blurb from Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. An absolute classic by the undisputed master of mythology. If you're interested in
mythological story structure, this book is your first stop. Humans have been telling the same story for six thousand years; the details vary,
along with the hero's face—but the hero's journey is essentially the same in every culture around the globe. Extremely dense, not for the
timid—but something that's worked for 6,000 years is worth learning. Star Wars is mythologically structured, and George Lucas is
among Campbell's biggest fans. Click the cover at left to find the hardcover on amazon.com. There's also a paperback edition.
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The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (3rd edition) is a plain-language take on Joseph Campbell's mythological-storytelling
philosophy as applied to screenwriting. Widely read throughout the industry; stands on its own--but also a good way to get your feet wet before
plunging into Campbell's works. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Myth & the Movies: Discovering the Myth Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films applies the principles distilled in The Writer's Journey
(above) to 50 produced films, using each to demonstrate the universality of mythic storytelling structure. Foreword by Christopher Vogler, author of The Writer's Journey.
Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Joseph Campbell: The Hero's Journey (DVD) by Joseph Campbell and Phil Cousineau. A combination biography and basic introduction to what
Joseph Campbell was all about. A good, affordable and uncomplicated first look at Campbell's world for those curious about mythological
storytelling. Click the cover at left to find the DVD amazon.com.
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The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Works by Joseph Campbell and Phil Cousineau. Created as a dollow-up to the
documentary Joseph Campbell: The Hero's Journey. Like the DVD, this book is a a biography of Campbell in his own words—in this case
drawn from interviews, lectures, and other material—which also illuminates his thoughts on comparative mythology. Click the cover at
left to find the book amazon.com.
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Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth (DVD set). Six interviews of Joseph Campbell by Bill Moyers. A fascinating introduction to and
exploration of mythological storytelling, from the earliest civilization to the present. Lively, engaging, and far easier to digest than
Campbell's Hero With A Thousand Faces. Essential viewing for those considering mythological structure. Six hours long and not a dull
second. Originally aired on PBS. Click the cover at left to find the DVD set on amazon.com.
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The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers. Book based on the Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth interviews first
broadcast on PBS. A good introduction to the six-hour interview series. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Adventures in the Screen Trade is a classic volume recounting the experiences of one of Hollywood's most celebrated screenwriters: two-time
Oscar winner WIlliam Goldman. Many consider this book required reading. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Which Lie Did I Tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade is Goldman's follow-up to Adventures in the Screen Trade. Also a classic. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Big Picture: Who Killed Hollywood? and Other Essays is a collection of Goldman's shorter pieces. Again—as classic as the man himself. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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William Goldman: Four Screenplays contains four of William Goldman's best screenplays: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (which
earned him an Academy Award), Marathon Man, The Princess Bride, and Misery. Not exactly "Hollywood tales," but this does
seem to be the William Goldman section. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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William Goldman: Five Screenplays trots out five more of William Goldman's scripts: All the President's Men (another Oscar winner),
Magic, Harper,, Maverick, and The Great Waldo Pepper--with five of his essays thrown in for good measure. Click the cover at
left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Screenwriter's Legal Guide (3rd edition) is far and away the best book on the topic; nothing else comes close. Written by Stephen
Breimer, one of the top entertainment attorneys in the business, this volume tells it like it is: what should be in your contract, what shouldn?t
be?and what might be, if you know enough to ask (which, after reading this book, you will). As Gavin says in The War of the Roses: When a
man who makes $400 an hour wants to tell you something for free, you should listen." Breimer makes more. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Copyright Handbook: What Every Writer Needs to Know (10th edition) is an excellent plain-language primer on copyright and copyright law.
If you have just one book on copyright, make this the one. Written, of course, by an attorney. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook (2nd edition) covers a broad range of topics in considerable detail,
guiding you from development through sale, delivery, and digital distribution. Authored by three entertainment attorneys, one of whom was also
VP of Feature Business Affairs at Universal—so they know the indie scene from both sides. "A marvelous primer that actually delivers what
it promises," reads the blurb from Geoffrey Gillmore, programming director for the Sundance Film Festival. Click the cover at left to find the book
on amazon.com.
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From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film lays down the process from script to distribution. Chock
full of practical, hands-on advice. "Listened to Dov and started my career," says Quentin Tarantino's blurb. Click the cover at left to find the
book on amazon.com.
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How I Made A Hundred Movies In Hollywood And Never Lost A Dime from the undisputed master of low-budget indies, writer-director-producer
Roger Corman. He helped launch the careers of such Hollywood notables as James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich,
Martin Scorsese, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson, and Bruce Dern—all (or mostly) on films shot in days for $100,00 or less. Click the
cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player offers shoestring filmmaking advice from Robert
Rodriguez, who broke into Hollywood with El Mariachi—shot for $7,000, largely raised by subjecting himself to medical
experimentation—and went on to shoot films like Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids, Once Upon a Time in
Mexico, and Sin City (1, 2, and 3). Includes his famous "Ten-Minute Film School." Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Risky Business: Financing & Distributing Independent Films by entertainment attorney Mark Litwak is a practical guidebook to the
financial aspects of setting up an independent production project, covering everthing from company structure and financing to film fsticals to
distribution. The editors of Film Festical Today have named Litwak one of the "25 most influential people in independent film." Click the
cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Art of Film Funding: Alternative Financing Concepts is billed as the ultimate reference guide for creating the perfect pitch, crafting
a winning application, finding funding organizations and talking them out of their money. Author Carole Lee Dean—an indie producer who now
runs one of the largest film grants in the US—has worked both sides of the fence, and knows them well. Click the cover at left to find the
book on amazon.com.
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Fatal Subtraction: The Inside Story of Buchwald V. Paramount. An unprecedented lawsuit offers an inside look at studio accounting practices,
a chronicle of the arrogance of power, and a testament to the bottom line—where the show must go on, despite the fact that everyone involved
seems to hate everyone else. A fascinating read, co-written by Buchwald's attorney. Out of print but worth the hunt. Click the cover at left to
find the book on amazon.com.
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Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How To Edit Yourself Into Print is a solid primer long recommended by knowledgeable editors. Aimed at
novel and short story authors, this book provides an inside look at the way professional editors evaluate the technical aspects of fiction
manuscripts--including character, dialogue, exposition, point of view, and interior monologue. Authored by a former senior editor at William
Morrow and a Writers Digest contributing editor, this book is the next best thing to working with a professional editor. Click the cover at
left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2009. Includes names and subject-area specialties for hundreds of publishing house
acquisitions editors. Perhaps more importantly, this book contains mini-interviews with a wide array of prominent literary agents. Where else can you get the
scoop on exactly what these people are looking for—in their own words? Whether you're looking to submit your work yourself, or through an agent, this book
is a must-have. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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1001 Ways To Market Your Books by John Kremer. If you buy only one book on marketing, make it this one. Nothing else is better. Nothing else comes
close. There are actually far more than 1001 tips here. Even so, the real value of this book is that reading it will trigger entirely new
ideas you'd never have come up with on your own. Indispensible. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual, 16th Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book by Dan Poynter. The best advice on publishing your own book, period.
Some surprising names have started out this way. Author Dan Poynter is the acknowledged auithority of the self-publishing world, and this book its bible.
Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries is a volume for those with many volumes in their
homes. One can never have too many books, of course—but it's quite possible to have too little space in which to put them. This
book features lovely photos of personal collections kept in homes ranging from apartments to castles, interspersed with chapters
on such topics as: starting, organizing, and lighting a library; bookplates; bookbinding; library ladders; and book preservation.
Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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Writers' Houses offers an intimate look inside (and outside) the homes of twenty famous authors. Though the writers themselves
have now passed on, this volume's gorgeous photos illustrate the places where inspiration was transformed into words enjoyed by
millions. The homes themselves range from quaint to palatial. Accompanying text provides background on the houses and their literary
occupants. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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American Writers at Home is very much like Writers' Houses—in fact, the two books have the same photographer. The
focus here is on the homes of famous American authors of the past, and this volume's pages offer an intimate look both inside and out.
Accompanying text provides background on the houses and their literary occupants. There is a bit of overlap with the authors covered
in Writers' Houses, but the photos and text are considerably different, and a fan of one volume will certainly enjoy the
other as well. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World is a stunningly photographed tome featuring magnificent examples of just
that—the most beautiful libraries in the world. A brief-but-detailed history of each library is also included. The
youngest institution here—the New York Public Library—opened its doors in 1911; the oldest date back to the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries. Click the cover at left to find the book on amazon.com.
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The elusive Acco No. 5 round-head brass fastener, 1-1/4 inch long. The industry-standard brad, mysteriously difficult to find—even in
Hollywood stationery stores. Not the wimpy, skinny brad most stores carry. Click the image at left to find the box of 100 brads on amazon.com.
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Matching Acco-brand brass washers. Not vital, but they do keep the brad edges from tearing up the back cover. Click the image at left to find the
box of 100 brad washers on amazon.com.
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