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Summary: I sold my screenplay
Review: I've been at this for three years and wasn't getting anywhere. Because of Dave's book, I finally sold a script for big money. The book is crisply written, easy to follow, and it's all meat. I used the worksheets and the marketing instructions and now I'm a working writer.
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Summary: The best book out there...and now I have an agent
Review: I've read over 20 screenwriting books, and this one is clearly the best for at least two reasons: 1) It covers every possible topic including a selling plan (with worksheets), a list of writing contests, an explanation and examples of the new spec style (this really helped me), query and pitching examples--everything. 2). By applying the information, my script has come alive! What's more, I finally found an agent. You can't go wrong with this wonderful book.
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Summary: The best book about storytelling I've ever read
Review: If I could give this book six stars, I would. In the various sections, Trottier covers the process of writing and selling screenplays. However, the best part of this book is the first section, which breaks down the essential elements you need for great storytelling. I don't care if you're writing short stories, novels, stage plays or screenplays, this first section will either enlighten you or it will serve as a much-needed refresher course. The story is the most important part of any work of fiction and this book lays out the elements better than anything else I've ever read.
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Summary: A Must Have
Review: If you can appreciate a doctor's need for Gray's Anatomy or a writer's need for the Elements of Style, then as a beginning screenwriter, you should consider reading the Screenwriter's Bible.
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Summary: Everything You Ever wanted to know, and then some
Review: If you're an aspiring writer, I recommend this book. My journey as a screenwriter started online by looking at other scripts and going by various web sites. I couldn't find an exact standard. Then I surfed onto a web site that had a screenwriting contest and suggested to follow the guides set forth by David Trottier. I bought the book and found more information than I was looking for (in a good way). The book covers everything from the thought process to curing writers block to revising. I'm always finding new things about screenwriting and frequently revising my work-in-progress. It truely is a bible.
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Summary: The best book available on screenplay formatting.
Review: If you're looking for a book that tells you how to format your screenplay, look no further. I've looked at every book available. Mr. Trottier's book gives the writer everything needed to put your imagination into the proper format for a spec script. It is "Elements of Style for Screenwriters" on steroids. The 8-1/2" x 11" format of the book has many pages that look just like a script should. The many examples are a God-send for anyone struggling with the sometimes arcane format of a screenplay. If you are going to buy one book on the format of screenwriting, this is it. The second book to get is "Standard Script Formats-Part I (Screenplay)" by Cole/Haag.
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Summary: You will need a lot more than this one book
Review: In Russian there is an expression "ne myaso, ne ryba" - literally: neither meat not fish. It means it's not one thing or the other. The Screenwriter's Bible is such a book.
It claims to be six books in one, whereas it is really one book divided into six sections, none of them thorough. That's not to say it is without merit. It's just if this is all you buy you will be woefully under prepared in any one of the six areas Trotter claims to have covered.
The book will give you a fair outline of the geography, name the major towns, if you like. But you'll still need a decent local map or two when you get into the county.
It says it is complete. It is not. What it is, is a well-thought through marketing campaign on the general subject of writing screenplays. I don't say avoid it. But get lots more books which are clearly either meat or fish.
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Summary: It's the perfect tool !
Review: Interested in Screenwriting ? This is the book to read.It's easy to read, and will help you today and tomorrow aswell.I am not sure you need to read another book after this one.It's complete and make easier all the screenwriting tasks. The only thing you need now, is the GREAT idea :) Good luck !
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Summary: Good beginners book. Explains everything clearly, and simply
Review: It is just like the David says, there are many little books all in this one book. Although it often refers to other films ideas, instead of explained the ideas and functions, this is where it can be a little to basic in a sense. But saying that, it helped me out a lot when it came to presenting my idea in a professional manner. The book also has a very good resources section, where all you lucky Yanks get plenty of address to write to for additional info on course, compo's, and agents/studios. This book is very good, even better if you are a beginner, like me, although maybe not so good for the experienced writer.
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Summary: Probably the best for a rookie....
Review: Keeping in mind that there is no formula for writing, only common frameworks derived from earlier pieces, this book provides vital information for the beginning writer in putting him on the right track to find those truths and general unwritten rules.At the same time it also provides handy formatting information in an organized, understandable and useful manner. It's an excellent book for first-timers. If you are looking for advanced stuff though, this is not for you. I made good use of it, but now it's time to move on. Nothing reflects the content better hence, than the title itself. It's a Bible. You can turn to the Bible for basic advice and support. But when you grow up, you will have to find your own answers. And fact is, that time has past over the Bible too -- there have been many better books written on the same topic... A must for beginners though, I'd say....
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