Rating: 
Summary: A superb book for the aspiring screenwriter!
Review: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting" is a phenomenal overview of the increasingly popular field of screenwriting, and it is written with care, compassion, and expertise by Skip Press. Like his earlier book, "Writer's Guide to Hollywood Producers, Directors and Screenwriting Agents," this volume is chock-full of helpful advice, thoughtful analysis, and best of all, LOTS of website resources that would take hours to find on your own. Like the very best books, it will inspire you, as it has me, and I know that the screenplay I'm writing now will be better as a result of my having read this book.If your budget is limited, buy this book, along with Robert McKee's "Story" and Christopher Vogler's "The Writer's Journey." You'll be well-equipped to begin your own journey with these fine volumes. Five stars!
Rating:
Summary: A superb book for the aspiring screenwriter!
Review: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting" is a phenomenal overview of the increasingly popular field of screenwriting, and it is written with care, compassion, and expertise by Skip Press. Like his earlier book, "Writer's Guide to Hollywood Producers, Directors and Screenwriting Agents," this volume is chock-full of helpful advice, thoughtful analysis, and best of all, LOTS of website resources that would take hours to find on your own. Like the very best books, it will inspire you, as it has me, and I know that the screenplay I'm writing now will be better as a result of my having read this book. If your budget is limited, buy this book, along with Robert McKee's "Story" and Christopher Vogler's "The Writer's Journey." You'll be well-equipped to begin your own journey with these fine volumes. Five stars!
Rating:
Summary: Mandatory read
Review: All Skip's books are well-written, factual, concise, and with a tad of witty sarcasm. This book is a great read for screenwriters trying to get an edge. In addition, Skip has a highly informative newsletter keeps you up on the industry as well as alert you to any special opportunities.
Rating:
Summary: Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting
Review: As a very new and hopeful screenwriter, Skip's book became an extremely useful resource for understanding how the business functions, numerous locations/addresses for web site resources, and relevant examples and samples to get you pointed in the right direction. When you finish reading the last page, Skip's willingness to teach and guide doesn't stop. Unlike others, Skip provides continuous ongoing flow of real-time information through his companion newsletter to the book. This keeps the inspired screenwriter going with valuable tips and crucial leads. I can't imagine any new screenwriter not wanting to take advantage of Skip's book and his newsletter. I will keep Skip in my mind as I discuss my humble beginnings at the award shows. Cliff Shorr
Rating:
Summary: Great for Beginners!
Review: As a wannabe writer I bought Skip's book on the advise of conversations with other writers on a message board. I love it! An easy read with just the right mix of detail and information. I got what I bought, a good introduction to screenwriting. I'm a science teacher by trade and Skip's book and insight gave me the confidence to try my hand at screenwriting. I may never sell one but I'm aware of what it takes to succeed. Thanks Skip! Some of these other reviews I've read make no sense (did they really buy the book?) I think they're taking advantage of Amazon's loose restrictions. The only "idiots" here are those that rebuke a good book without cause.
Rating:
Summary: INSIGHTFUL & WITTY - THE PERFECT BOOK FOR A STARTER
Review: Beginning screenwriters... this is a must! A wonderful piece of information at your fingertips. Skip provides the most important details needed to start, sell or just simply write a script for fun. The book contains side-notes from Skip himself, providing helpful information on what to do and not to do in Hollywood. If you're a novice or an expert, The Complete Idiots Guide to Screenwriting should sit in your office.
Rating: 
Summary: I know what I need to know to write
Review: But selling work is an entirely different matter, and this book is an invaluable resource to anyone that wants to sell their script and get it on screen.
Sure, it doesn't go into great detail on the writing process - but there are plenty of books available on that subject. What it does (and does very well) is tell you what you need to do to sell your work. And I see little point in writing if you don't plan to get your work read, and in the case of a movie script, filmed. There are many little tips included that all add up to producing a script that will look professional and therefore stand a far greater chance of being read.
Worth every cent.
Rating:
Summary: Great First Book for Aspiring Screenwriters
Review: For my first book, I wanted a broad overview of script writing. I found Skip's book great -- being a novice and all. It covers every aspect of script writing, from essential background information right through to pitching your finished script. I now feel quietly confident with the basics of script writing and have written a couple of short films. I'm also reading a couple of other books on script writing. These books make a lot more sense with explainations of the fundamentals in Skip's book. It's easy to read and full of links to websites and other good script writing books.
Rating:
Summary: Ever wondered what a screenwriter is?
Review: Have you ever wondered what a screenwriter is and how one writes for the screen? Prior to my reading this book I had no idea how a screenwriter went about practicing his craft. In all honesty the only knowledge I had of screenwriters is their name flashing on either a movie screen or a television screen. Who are these writers, what do they do, how do they write for the screen? All of these questions are very effectively dealt with in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting authored by Skip Press.
Skip Press may not be a household name, however, he has had extensive experience in many forms of media such as radio, television, screen, stage, CD and the World Wide Web. He was also a Silver Medal Winner at the New York International Film Festival. The guide is written in a crisp clear style that cuts away all of the fat and gets right down to the fundamental elements of effective screen writing. As soon as you open the book you are presented with a tear out reference card outlining the ten mistakes made by the novice screenwriter: lack of knowledge of the history of drama and filmmaking, how does Hollywood work, ignorance of Hollywood tradition, not writing from derivative material, not understanding core demographics of movie going audiences, screen plays that are not properly formatted, misunderstanding concepts of conflict of sex and violence, ignorance of the Hollywood vocabulary, ignorance of screenplay structure and failure to rewrite until it is acceptable. With these ten topics or building blocks in mind the author, as he states, "endeavours to furnish the reader with a blueprint in order to build a cinematic world." In other words, if you are going to write a screenplay, here are the materials needed in order that it will be read and accepted and eventually may perhaps thrill us all. The topics are divided into five distinct sections: the evolution of storytelling, what to write, how to write the screenplay, post-script possibilities and it's all in the details. Each chapter is preceded with a short outline indicating exactly what the author intends to convey to the reader. This is followed by the actual explanation of each of the concepts and ending with a resumé the author calls "the least you need to know." For example, if you refer to the history of screenwriting section we are presented with a brief synopsis of what the Greeks, Romans, Christians and Italians contributed and why it is very important to understand their contributions. We are then presented with a more in depth study of these contributions and finally what we should try to remember when we are using the information in our screenwriting. To liven up the information and as an added feature there are sidebars sprinkled throughout each chapter giving us various tips and interesting Hollywood tidbits. For example," Chekhov believed that if you had a gun hanging over a fireplace, the gun should be used during the play. If it is not used, don't write it in. Such attention to detail goes a long way in writing screenplays." No doubt the book is meant as an instructive manual for the aspiring screenwriter. However, it will also prove very useful for those of us who wish to have a better understanding as to how the movies are written and accepted by the producers and directors. (...)
Rating:
Summary: THAT'S THE TICKET
Review: I highly recommend this well-organised book to anyone who wants to learn the rudiments of screenwriting and beyond. I had several ideas for possible screenplays and didn't know where to get started. My daughter is working in the movies, but she was and is busy working on major Hollywood films. She had formal college education on filmmaking. I talked to her several times while reading the book. Every time she gave me advice, it would mirror something I had already read or subsequently read in the book. I am in the process of writing three screenplays following the advice from this book. I also refer to it often, as it is filled with links to other sources of valuable information. As a bonus, when you buy one of Skip Press' books, he sends a regular newsletter filled with interesting and useful information.
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