Rating: 
Summary: Hollywood Screenwriters Agree
Review: "I hate screenwriting books almost as much as I hate screenwriting, screenwriters, and especially screenwriting teachers. But Robin and Bill -- both screenwriters as well as screenwriting teachers (go figure)--have somehow managed to write a useful, witty, insightful book which is not only full of detail on the nuts and bolts of day to day writing, but also contains valuable information about planning a career and getting into the business. Far from being hateful, this book is, believe it or not, really, really good." -Ed Solomon (screenwriter - MEN IN BLACK) "This is the best and most widely dimensional book on screenwriting today--even better than my own! - Lew Hunter (Co-Chair of screenwriting at UCLA, author of SCREENWRITING 434) "SCREENPLAY: WRITING THE PICTURE is a comprehensive guide to the screenwriter's galaxy. From nuts-and-bolts to heart-and-soul, this book has it all; if you have any question about screenwriting, you will almost certainly find the answer in this book. - Michael Colleary (screenwriter - FACE/OFF) "This is your one-stop shop toward perfecting and marketing every screenwriter's essential calling card: the 'spec' script." -- Neil Landau (screenwriter - DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER IS DEAD) "Warm, wise, witty, SCREENPLAY: WRITING THE PICTURE is a welcome contribution to the field." - Richard Walter (Co-Chair of screenwriting at UCLA - Author of SCREENWRITING - THE WHOLE PICTURE)
Rating: 
Summary: Read Carefully
Review: As a screenwriter and writing instructor I've read dozens ofscreenplay books, all pretty much the same because screenwriting ishighly structured with well-defined rules. What I like about this book is the way the authors have used humor, intelligence and both classic and current movie examples to help the writer learn the craft. They know their business and share it in a highly enjoyable and well-informed manner. But what I appreciate most is the section on the 'conventions of genre'. Until now, I have found no book that details what is expected (actually, demanded by the audience) in the various genres. Yes, we could watch dozens of movies and analyze them for similarities but thankfully Russin and Downs have done the work for us. And it is invaluable! If you write genre movies, as I do, this book is a must for your library.
Rating:
Summary: The Chapter on The Structure of Genres is worth the price
Review: As a screenwriter and writing instructor I've read dozens ofscreenplay books, all pretty much the same because screenwriting ishighly structured with well-defined rules. What I like about this book is the way the authors have used humor, intelligence and both classic and current movie examples to help the writer learn the craft. They know their business and share it in a highly enjoyable and well-informed manner. But what I appreciate most is the section on the 'conventions of genre'. Until now, I have found no book that details what is expected (actually, demanded by the audience) in the various genres. Yes, we could watch dozens of movies and analyze them for similarities but thankfully Russin and Downs have done the work for us. And it is invaluable! If you write genre movies, as I do, this book is a must for your library.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book...
Review: As a screenwriting teacher I'm thrilled to find this book. It covers the basics of screenwriting as well as advanced techniques. Rather than push a narrow method, the book focuses on universal concepts which can be used by everyone. Yet it's as specific as you can get. It's easy to read and totally comprehensive. I review some of the chapters before writing to remind myself of what a good screeplay is all about.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! This is a great book
Review: As a story analyst, writer and professor of screenwriting, I find this book invaluable. Learning to write screenplays is a daunting experience even for someone with projects under his belt. Robin and Bill's book breaks down the whole process into digestible parts. My students enjoy reading it and I often re-read chapters before starting a new script or launching a scene. The authors have been in the trenches and generously give up their secrets.
Rating:
Summary: Read Carefully
Review: As a working screenwriter, and a former film school student, I've read just about every book on screenwriting that's come down the pike. "Screenplay:Writing the Picture" is one of the very best. It's full of useful information and inspiration regardless of your experience level. But like any book, in order to get the most out of it you have to actually read it. Skimming it while on the toilet or talking on the phone is not going to help much -- at least in terms of your writing. I mention this seemingly obvious observation because one recent "sincere" reviewer "dissed" the book on the basis of something the book's authors DIDN'T say about Rambo! In other words, the reviewer based his negative review on his own sloppy reading of the text! Don't be misled. If you want to improve your writing, IMPROVE YOUR READING. If you want to improve your screenwriting, as well as your chances of selling your work for big bucks, read "Screenplay: Writing the Picture.
Rating:
Summary: Read Carefully
Review: As a working screenwriter, and a former film school student, I've read just about every book on screenwriting that's come down the pike. "Screenplay:Writing the Picture" is one of the very best. It's full of useful information and inspiration regardless of your experience level. But like any book, in order to get the most out of it you have to actually read it. Skimming it while on the toilet or talking on the phone is not going to help much -- at least in terms of your writing. I mention this seemingly obvious observation because one recent "sincere" reviewer "dissed" the book on the basis of something the book's authors DIDN'T say about Rambo! In other words, the reviewer based his negative review on his own sloppy reading of the text! Don't be misled. If you want to improve your writing, IMPROVE YOUR READING. If you want to improve your screenwriting, as well as your chances of selling your work for big bucks, read "Screenplay: Writing the Picture.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sincere Attempt That Misses the Mark
Review: As an aspiring writer hard at work on my fourth project, I was looking forward to getting this book and gaining some new insights into the craft of screenwriting. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Although the book has some useful information for the beginner (although I prefer Trottier's "Screenwriting Bible" as a format guide), the authors seem to over-intellectualize the craft to the point of overlooking the most crucial element of writing: eliciting emotion. The authors' credibility as teachers came under suspicion when I read their example of the 'Major Dramatic Question' that is posed at the end of act one. According to their viewpoint, in Rambo, First Blood, the MDQ raised is: "Will John earn the respect he (and all Vietnam vets) deserve?" I'm sorry, but that just didn't sit well with me. I've seen the movie (several times) and to me, the dramatic question raised in First Blood isn't about respect, it's about survival. Then the authors go further to state that the first act of this movie ends with the conclusion of the opening credits! At that point, I had to put the book down. In my opinion, a much better book for the intermediate writer looking to improve his or her skills is Dan Decker's excellent book, "Anatomy of a Script".
Rating:
Summary: The book that will save you alot of money.
Review: I bought this book two years ago. It is better than any Syd Field book that everyone goes crazy over. It is the most helpful book and a hidden gem on the market. These two that wrote it tell it like it is. And all info is not confusing or tedious. It is down to earth great info. Easy to understand. Anyone could get this book and spend time reading it. You can come away from this book a whole lot wiser and not so confused as other books will make you. You don't need a hundred classes or a hundred books. This is the only one you need. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: I Was Wrong - This Book Deserves More Credit
Review: I reviewed this book a year ago and gave it only two stars. A subsequent reviewer accused me of sloppily reading the text - and although I hate to admit it - he or she was right. The fact is, I hadn't given the book a fair shake. Since then, I purchased a used copy and read it from cover to cover... It's not easy to admit when you're wrong - but I've gathered more gems from this book than probably any other book I've ever read (and, like most aspiring screenwriters, I've read ALOT). One of these gems is the detailed chapter on act/sequence/scene and beat; the "Sea of Love" example was of particular interest to me. And, as mentioned by another reviewer, I've never found a more thorough discussion of genre anywhere. The bottom line is this: I would hate for anyone to avoid this valuable book on the basis on my earlier review.
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