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Summary: chock full of good information
Review: I read Skip Press' Guide to Hollywood and it was excellent, so I picked this one up, too. Because I'm an ad writer who works on tv spots and travels out to Hollywood quite a lot, I know many professionals in the film business - and more than a few have recommended Skip's books to me. I personally have used the books to get my script read by five production companies - it hasn't been picked up yet, though I've received good feedback. And thanks to the book, I have lots of good ideas on how to rewrite. Like all the Idiots Guides this one is chock full of good, readable, up-to-date information. There are other places to get this stuff, but none that come with the good, insider, practical advice on how to use the information like this one.
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Summary: Skip Press + this awsome book = your success!
Review: I would pay any amount of money for this book because I know I would get paid back from a producer drooling over my screenplay. This book tells it how it is. Never in my life have I seen it done this easy and provide you with smooth step by step instructions that will lead you to a polished, professional screenplay. From how many brads to bind you screenplay with, to what's hot and what's not, Skip Press tells it all.
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Summary: A Trip
Review: I'm in a new zone. David Lynch, Miramax, and a whole bunch of others, are reading my screenplay. This zone I'm in has a name: Joyous Anticipation. I never met the man but Skip Press brought me there, brought me on this total trip, and I don't know how to pay him back. Screenwriters: Get this book; this map. It will take you there too.
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Summary: Skip this one!
Review: I've been an agent for many years and have read a great many books on screenwriting. Some offer sound advice, and some don't. This one is at best basic, at worse really really bad. I have no idea who Skip Press is, but it's pretty obvious most of what he's gathered here can be found elsewhere--and written better. One to "skip" over.
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Summary: A good place to start?
Review: If you decided that you wanted to be a screenwriter, but didn't know the first thing about it, this book could be a good place to start your inquiry. Skip begins with some basics about story structure, then moves on to specifics about screenplays, screenwriting, and Hollywood. This is NOT "Everything you ever wanted to know about screenwriting", nor does it try to be. However, Skip does refer to some of the best books and web sites that will help expand your understanding of the topic. The tone of the book is light and breezy, and the information is broken up so you can read it in little chunks like a magazine. Don't take it too seriously. As is the case with practically all of the "Idiot" books, it's designed to be a fun overview.
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Summary: Extremely Helpful!
Review: Just starting out in screenwriting, this book helped me with the basics. From formatting to the history of Hollywood and movie making, I learned from this book as if I had taken a course. Laid out in an easy to read format with hilarious sidebars of "Skip insight", it was also thoroughly entertaining. A must have addition to any screenwriter's library. I will refer to this book every time I have yet another screenwriting dilemma!
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Summary: Another great tool for your toolbox
Review: OK. So you want to be a screenwriter. Two important things have to happen besides having some creativity to begin with. First, you have to watch everything! How can you compete if you don't keep abreast of the competition! Second, you have to READ everything. Again, for the same reasons of keeping up. Yes, there is an abundance of info available to the beginning screenwriting. Some may get confusing. Linda Seger is great as is Robert McKee. But for my money, the beginner needs the basics. There is no other book out there to better help you on your way than Skip Press's "Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting". First off, the idiot's guide are wonderful, in any incarnation. Skip does a wonderful job. Insight! That's the key word here. An insider's peek at the cogs at work. An absolute must read. An a pretty good refresher for a more experienced writer as well. Remember... watch everything and read everything. But start with this book! Thanks for the wisdom Skip! You are my guru. signed,
a disciple
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Summary: More that just the book...
Review: Okay, so it's not the-end-all-be-all when it comes to screenwriting books. Honestly, I've found more useful information in McKee's "Story" and the can't-live-without "Screenwriter's Bible." But for anyone wanting to learn more about a career in screenwriting (especially those just starting out), Skip's two books -- "The Complete Idiot's Guide To" and the "Writer's Guide to Hollywood" offer two invaluable things that the others don't: an easy to understand format with good, identifiable examples of craft and the business end of it all, and, secondly, continued support after the sale. Skip has always made himself available to the creative community with support, insights and a helping hand. That is more than most people do in this or any other business. Well worth checking out and certainly worth adding to your bookshelf. (This review is also posted for the "Writer's Guide to Hollywood")
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Summary: Skip's book is ideal for beginners
Review: One has to assume that to buy a 'Beginner's Guide' automatically places that person on the remainder of the world that does not know about Screenwriting. Indeed, I knew next to nothing about screenwriting but wanted to know more. Skip doesn't pull any punches about the industry. There are lessons hard learnt for those who would like to try and bend other people's rules for submissions. And there are plenty of other tips about screenwriting which seem contrary to the ways and workings of this modern digital world -- that is, in the eyes of the non-screenwriter. Other pointers mentioned within are there to help us write i) a script and ii) a good script. Tools, contacts, online resources and plenty of references to movies and their plot styles add to the depth of the introductory information that needs to be assimilated in order to get an overview of screenwriting. There is no doubt that a book will not turn a person into a screenwriter as it is the person's own drive, ambition and writing skill that makes for success. Those who want to learn about the screenwriting trade would do well to order and read this book whether it is for writing or just for education. Yeah! I've got a story in the works, and yeah, I'm a lazy type with a short attention span and shorter memory. What counts for me is that when I get off my hands and start writing as if my life depends on it I've got the book right here that'll take me from beginning to end. This one is worth the bucks. It certainly inspired me to look at getting some ideas on paper. That is where all these movies and TV programs come from, after all. As for being a complete idiot, well, I've certainly qualified for that role a few times before.
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Summary: Aspiring Screenwriter's Bible
Review: Skip Press does an excellant job in not only educating you on the process of writing, but in inspiring you to look beyond conventions. I found it easy to follow and entertaining (a first!) and refer to it often. I recommend this book to anyone seriously considering a career in screenwriting!
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