Rating: 
Summary: There are better books!
Review: This is a true stinker. The text is riddled with self-justification and the third draft of the included screen play is just a true prize. Buy Ken Dancyger's book "alternative screenwriting" instead, 'cause that's brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: The guy can't write.
Review: This is probably one of the worst written books I've ever read. The guy can't write. His sentences look like they've been created by a child. He lacks good judgment (if he has any at all), not to mention good taste. There are parts in this book that gave me the impression he is not very bright either.Apart from the fact that he never sold a screenplay (there are good screenwriting instructors who never even wrote one), the worse thing is that Mr. Berman is a terrible teacher. The only idea he successfully communicates is that he is the last person on planet Earth from who anyone should get advice on writing screenplays. For the sake of mercy and charity and other good qualities I like to use sometimes, I will refrain myself from commenting the included screenplay (and also the decision to publish it in there). Anyone trying to write or sell a screenplay should very actively avoid this book.
Rating:
Summary: Robert Berman - Can he teach you how to write a screenplay?
Review: This was honestly one of the most uniformative books on screenwriting I have ever read. Throughout the book Berman continues to pass on the knowledge that he has recieved through meetings with executives and through other experiences as a screenwriter. The biggest problem with this is that he has never sold a screenplay, optioned a screenplay, or even had a serious meeting about having his work sold. Thousands of screenplays are sold, optioned, considered every year, how can you take advice from someone who has failed for over 10 years? Berman throughout the book continues to believe that his is the king of screenplays, and even though he continues to be rejected time and time again, he insists that he is correct and that executives (who are working in studios or agencies for a reason) are the ones who are wrong. In this second edition, Berman includes one of his original screenplays, Dead Man's Dance. For some reason he believes that this screenplay should have been picked up by some studio somewhere, but is honestly not the least bit exciting. Only two parts of this book which is worthwhile are a couple of the interviews included, and only a couple because the questions asked to some of the interviewees are useless. The other useful part is the terminology and formatting techniques included, but this can be found on many internet sites. I am only an ametuer and started writing as a hobby because I love movies, but if you want to start writing, professionally or otherwise, do not buy this book, the cover, rear, and the chapter breakdowns are misleading, and buyers should beware before being fooled by them
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