Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television

Rating:
Summary: Doesn't really give me a process
Review: I've read many screenwriting books, and this book didn't tell me anything I haven't read elsewhere. Walter has no real insight into the writing process, just some knowledge of the business which you can pick up from the other books. A disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Another book from a professional TEACHER
Review: Richard Walter is, once again, very good at rehashing other people's ideas, whether it's from screenwriters he's talked to, reading the trades, or hanging out with other screenwriting professors. What he can't and doesn't do is bring his own insight and talent to the job, because he's not a screenwriter, producer or agent. This book is no worse than some other books written for absolute beginners, but you can learn more specifics and tricks of the trade by reading books by actual pro's.

Rating:
Summary: A fat-free book
Review: This book is not only helpful to screenwriters, but it's immensely helpful to beginning writers of fiction, too! It's one of the FEW I've seen where the author gets right to the meat without wasting page after endless page analyzing films or offering up screenplays of his own or those of students. If you want someone to get to the point about screenplays and storytelling, this is it! A must-read!

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Summary: Cuts to the Chase -- Entertain'g Guide by Authority in Field
Review: UCLA Screenwriting Program Guru Richard Walter has created an interesting, comprehensive guide to creating, reworking and marketing screenplays. Read Fields to get a few ideas and ground rules about act structure and plot points, read Walter to for a concise, entertaining orientation that leads you to write.