Writing the Second Act: Building Conflict and Tension in Your Film Script

Rating:
Summary: No help here
Review: Apparently, the one thing harder than writing the second act is writing a book on writing the second act. The authors gives some examples of good second acts, uses wide margins, and there you go, a book about writing the second act. Or so he claims.

Rating:
Summary: Writing the Second Act : Building Conflict and Tension
Review: I have been writing for about 7 years. I've read many of the popular screenwriting books by Syd Field, Linda Seger, Chris Vogler, and oh yeah The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier. The are a very good but none of them has crystallized my understanding of the second act like "Writing the Second Act" by Michael Halperin. We all know that plot and structure are an important part of a screenplay but what makes the most memorable screenplays? ... Characters that you can live through... characters that take you on the emotional roller coaster. Michael Halperin's book shows you what you need to do in the second act to create juicy characters with depth - buy the book you won't be sorry.

Rating:
Summary: Writing the Second Act : Building Conflict and Tension
Review: I have been writing for about 7 years. I've read many of the popular screenwriting books by Syd Field, Linda Seger, Chris Vogler, and oh yeah The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier. The are a very good but none of them has crystallized my understanding of the second act like "Writing the Second Act" by Michael Halperin. We all know that plot and structure are an important part of a screenplay but what makes the most memorable screenplays? ... Characters that you can live through... characters that take you on the emotional roller coaster. Michael Halperin's book shows you what you need to do in the second act to create juicy characters with depth - buy the book you won't be sorry.

Rating:
Summary: Offers no insights
Review: I really have to go side with the disappointed people here.

The second act is often called the "mountain" that screenwriters have to climb and it is indeed a daunting task. So any offer of help is much sought after.

A total novice screenwriter might find this book of interest, but a writer who knows the basics and looking for tips and insights particular to the second act will be sorely disappointed.

The section on building conflict can be summed up as "Building conflict in the second act is a good idea. Here are some examples of conflict in the second act...."

As I read this book, I became angry at the almost blatant disregard for the intelligence of the reader and I only finished it in order to be qualified to offer a review.

The fact the type is presented in a large size, double spaced and with thick margins shows that the printers knew they had to hide a lack of content.

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for Writing the Second Act
Review: Michael Halperin has written an important and relevant book in Writing the Second Act. He stresses the importance of building strong stories and characters in your scripts, and specifically shows how to build dramatic conflicts and tensions in your own scripts. There are numerous samples in every genre, using classic and current screenplays. Dr. Halperin not only covers the second act of your screenplay, he also incorporates the critical elements of creating a story's beginning, middle and end, creating character heroes and villains, and how to complete your screenplay in the third act. This is a very valuable resource.

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Second Act
Review: Michael Halperin's second work on screenwriting is a welcome event. No screenplay writer, director, film executive or college instructor should miss the opportunity to study this remarkable book on the most crucial element of film structure. His insights and deep knowledge of the subject illuminates this most dreaded part of screenwriting: the second act. I can't think of another book published in the past decade that deals so succinctly and wisely with this difficult and delicate subject, that explains the pitfalls and the dangers filmmakers encounter in the process of writing and directing. Bravo, Michael Halperin!

Rating:
Summary: A bit thin and watery
Review: While the premise of the book, the concept focusing on the second act, is a very good one, what you actually get is rather watered down and a bit too basic. It always helps to learn from those who are themselves successful, and unfortunately I knew nothing about Halperin before reading his book. His resume includes basically being a staff writer for Star Trek Next Generation, Falcon's Quest, Quincy, and the Masters of the Universe cartoon, none of which stands out as a pillar of literary depth or quality (also note - none of these are FILMS, about which the book is supposed to teach.) There are many books out there written by more serious and talented writers that would be of much more use to an aspiring screenwriter.

Rating:
Summary: Pulling It Together
Review: WRITING THE SECOND ACT by Michael Halperin is one of the most important books available for a screenwriter. Whether you are a beginner, plotting out the structure of your first script or an experienced writer, tackling a difficult re-write, Mr. Halperin's book helps pull it all together. An analogy of his book is that of a speeding train with fiery boilers. The engine speeds forward pulling the rest of the cars with it. The last car or caboose receives the benefit of all the energy the engine and other cars can muster. The train links are secure and tight thus, pulling the caboose to the train station. Michael Halperin with great insight, lays out how to keep the train together in the ensuing energetic trip to its conclusion and on time.

Without utilization of the usual formulaic measures, Mr. Halperin shows a writer how to specifically write scenes of the second act. In WRITING THE SECOND ACT, he skillfully points out the elements controlling a successful act two in any script. The simplicity with which he has identified, classified and illustrated these points, makes fascinating reading.

To prevent what is nefariously called "writers block" or for a technically involved writer to say "What do I do now?", Halperin relieves the writer of tension and lack of focus. Logic and character delineation become key points. Consequently, the needed tie-in between Act I and Act III become an intriguing leitmotif, pulling the story forward while retaining or building the passion and mystery required.

As Halperin states, "The second act should reveal the emotional, passionate, funny or diabolical edge inherent to the story." Well-known writers, students or practitioners of the craft of writing should read thes book over and over until the points mentioned become the screenwriters bible firmly imbedded in their brain synapse. Bravo Michael! Write on!

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable for the novice writer of plays or film scripts
Review: Writing The Second Act: Building Conflict And Tension In Your Film Script focuses on the need for something truly effective between an attention-grabbing beginning and a satisfying ending. The middle section of any story represents the most critical and difficult section of a scripted story. That's where Michael Halperin's expertise, experience, and advice will prove indispensable for the novice writer of plays or film scripts. His particular focus on how structure and plot push the action forward and support the evolution of the characters, all while keeping the audience engaged and involved with the presented story. Writing The Second Act is a highly recommended, invaluable addition to professional reference screen writing "how to" reference collections.