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Summary: Read this: first impressions count
Review: Flinn is not a screenwriter. But he read screenplays professionally (writing coverage) for a number of years to pay the rent. This book won't teach you to write a good screenplay. It will teach you how not to write one which is awful.
Look on it as a first-class consultation with some excellent advice on things you will have to learn one way or another. Spend the money and learn them cheap. What more can I say?
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Summary: Covering the bases on Screenplay
Review: Flinn knows his stuff. This is an exhaustive catalogue, if you will, of all danger signs and bear traps posted along the path of writing in the illusive art of screenplay. Presented in a slight tongue-in-cheek tone, Flinn is a able to reduce this complicated world into a fun-to-read and easy to understand format. By referencing well known works which have already made it to the big screen, this book makes those, sometimes vague, concepts all the more relevant and meaningful--a problem I find with many of these "how to write screenplay" books. Besides, Flinn has a writing credit on a movie already (Star Trek 6), something I find many of the authors to these books are lacking. It makes this read all the more authoritative.
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Summary: SO SO Book
Review: Haven't actually read the whole thing yet. But I did skim through it, and it doesn't look bad. It's actually pretty easy to grasp. By the way, he wrote Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country so if you liked that movie, you'll probably like this book. He wrote this book based on his expereinces as a script reader.
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Summary: A "must-have" new screenwriting book
Review: Having read tons of screenplays as an executive, Denny Martin Flinn has come to understand that while all good screenplays are unique, all bad screenplays are the same -- they're bad. Flinn's book will teach the reader how to avoid the pitfalls of bad screenwriting, and arrive at one's own destination intact. Every example used was gleaned from a legitimate screenplay. Flinn's advice is a no-nonsense analysis of the latest techniques for crafting first-rate screenplays that sell. Includes script excerpts.* Don't list a cast of characters. * Don't use (CONTINUED) at the top and bottom of each page. * Don't number your scenes. * Don't use CUT TO unless it's a new scene. * Don't tell the actors what words to punch. * Don't interpret everything. * Don't put acting notes into your script unless they are unavoidable. * Don't coach an actor on how to say his lines. * There is no such thing as (a beat) and using this amid dialogue because you want the actor to take a pause, is incorrect. * Leave the music track alone. * People don't talk to themselves. * Don't put in a lot of gratuitous camera instruction. * Don't lecture. * Don't write current fads. About the author: Denny Martin Flinn is a produced screenwriter. Flinn authored the books What They Did For Love (Bantam Books) and Musical! A Grand Tour (Schirmer Books). He has also written two mystery novels. Mr. Flinn lives in Los Angeles.
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Summary: Best of the Best in Format Instruction!
Review: HOW NOT TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY has the best format advice of any screenwriting book out there. For formatting instruction, augment it with David Trottier's THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE and Paul Argentini's ELEMENTS OF STYLE FOR SCREENWRITERS. My only desire is to see Denny Flynn expand the book in the second edition to include even more screenplay examples from different kinds of scripts, emphasizing not only screenwriting format, but also alternative structures, e.g. non-linear scripts. It's hard to critique a book that is so good. The content section can be augmented by reading Jennifer Lerch's 500 WAYS TO BEAT THE HOLLYWOOD SCRIPT READER and all the other books I've mentioned in previous posts.
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Summary: Just what I was looking for!
Review: How often do you buy a book that perfectly meets your needs? This one did for me. I was looking for a book that discussed the form, and the layout of a script and in the first 20 pages answered at least 3 of my biggest questions. And it's written in language that anyone can understand. Speaking as a script reader, the Flinn knows what turns off readers. Isn't that what we all want to avoid? I have learned a lot already just by viewing the examples (how you should write something vs. how not to write it) and I do feel that my script will benefit from what I'm learning. A+
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Summary: Valuable Advice, Fun to Read- An Essential Guide
Review: I believe that a person with natural ability can become a power player if armed with just two books- Flinn's "How Not to Write a Screenplay" and Rodriguez' "Rebel Without a Crew." If you are interested in becoming a filmmaker, I highly recommend these guides to get you started. In addition to the valuable information they provide about the art and industry, they are also great fun to read.
From creative techniques to technical jargon, Flinn leads us through the world of filmmaking, saving us the time and resources that most filmmakers will spend making costly mistakes. His book covers everything from how to avoid film cliches to how to format a screenplay like a pro.
A vital element of this book is the presentation of examples from films that rocked the Box Office and from those that dropped in the script reader's wastebasket. The book's list format also makes it an easy reference guide, since particular advise can be relocated quickly. I highly recommend this book for business and for pleasure.
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Summary: This book has been my Bible!
Review: I can't say enough good things about this book. I tried to write screenplays many times before. After reading this book, I went back and looked at some of my old work. I was guilty of almost every error Mr. Flinn describes. I can't say the content section helped me tremendously...but I will never be accused of writing a sloppy, overwritten, or unclear page again. If you haven't read this book, I suggest getting it and keeping it by you as you write. Say nice things to it, and give it lots of love. It just may help you finally sell something.
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Summary: An awesome and very unique book!
Review: I found that book very helpful, and written in a great way, funny at times. I loved the idea of showing examples of bad scripts instead of the regular casablanca, pulp fiction and all the other fine scripts examples that already been discussed to death in every screenwriting book. Anywayz,I know now (hopefully) what to do so the author WON'T include part of my screenplays in his next book! Althought, I'd also hope to see examples of GOOD spec scripts in future books.
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Summary: Realistic Hands-On Help for Wanna-Be Screenwriters
Review: I inhaled this book in one reading. The next day I read it again. The third day, I started taking notes. How can you resist a book that opens with: "The first thing you really want to know when you're buying a book about screenwriting is...who is this guy? Has he won an Oscar?" (I'm not going to tell you the answer.) I know nothing about screenwriting, but by dumb luck and reading the reviews, I selected this as my first book on the subject. I learn faster from my mistakes and Mr. Flinn kindly offered up a platter full of them for me to consume and learn from. Very, very comfortable, practical reading from a man who is a professional reader of screenplays. He tells you the most basic information like what margins and tab settings to use, the preferred length of movie scripts, all the way through to character development, structure, conflict and story pacing. I have since skimmed two other books on the topic, but I would recommend reading this one first. I'm glad it's getting 5 star reviews. It is an excellent book for beginners! But to get the most out of it, read it several times so his overall message will REALLY sink in: pacing, pacing, pacing...make your story move like greased lightening and keep the reader interested!!
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