<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Second-best only to being in Cynthia's class is her book.
Review: Ask me my candidates for the desert-island scenario, and I'd tell you Robert McKee's "Story" and Cynthia Whitcomb's "Writing Your Screenplay." No others. OK: Shakespeare and the Bible. Unique in this volume are Cynthia's levels of evolution in character transformation, her clear-sighted personal knowledge of what keeps Hollywood readers submerged in your story, and illustrative excerpts from her own screenplays. Of all the publications in my screenwriting library, this is the one I most frequently revisit in support of my own work when I want to widen choices of character action, invent an unexpected direction, strengthen a subplot. Cynthia creates seeds I mentally plant for the gigantic orchid fireworks that make screenwriting an experience Hollywood has yet to duplicate.
Rating:
Summary: Second-best only to being in Cynthia's class is her book.
Review: Ask me my candidates for the desert-island scenario, and I'd tell you Robert McKee's "Story" and Cynthia Whitcomb's "Writing Your Screenplay." No others. OK: Shakespeare and the Bible. Unique in this volume are Cynthia's levels of evolution in character transformation, her clear-sighted personal knowledge of what keeps Hollywood readers submerged in your story, and illustrative excerpts from her own screenplays. Of all the publications in my screenwriting library, this is the one I most frequently revisit in support of my own work when I want to widen choices of character action, invent an unexpected direction, strengthen a subplot. Cynthia creates seeds I mentally plant for the gigantic orchid fireworks that make screenwriting an experience Hollywood has yet to duplicate.
Rating:
Summary: She knows her stuff
Review: I've been a working television writer-producer for nearly a decade, and have taught screenwriting through UCLA Extension. So I've probably read most if not all of the screenwriting books out there, and tried to teach from more than a few. Cynthia Whitcomb's is by far the best one I've ever seen. I recently moved to Portland, Oregon, and met the author, but I'd been using her "Writers Digest" columns in my classes for some time, simply because they contained the best advice I could find for my students. I'm thrilled that her good sense and honest advice are now in a book -- if I were teaching this quarter, it would be required. Why? Several reasons. First, she knows what she's talking about. This is no "those who can't do, teach" author. Her credits include the Emmy-nominated "I Know My Name is Steven" as well as the adaptation of "Buffalo Girls" and an uncredited but substantial rewrite on the "Sinatra" bio mini-series, and numerous movies of the week. Compare her credits to other screenwriting book authors, and you'll see why what she's giving you is so much more useful. This is someone who has been, and continues to be, there, and it shows. Second, her own students have written very successful features, including "Face Off." What she says is not only useful (and correct), it's also explained well. Third, the lists of scenes available on videotape or DVD for study are worth the price of the book all by themselves. The hardest part about writing scripts is getting a feel for what they look like on the screen, understanding why something does or doesn't work, and being able to translate that into your own script. Instead of simply asking you to read script pages (although she does that, too), Ms. Whitcomb leads you to the filmed scenes and sequences that will show you exactly what works. So if you're serious about writing scripts, this is the book you'll want to pick up, study, and rely on.
Rating:
Summary: She knows her stuff
Review: I've been a working television writer-producer for nearly a decade, and have taught screenwriting through UCLA Extension. So I've probably read most if not all of the screenwriting books out there, and tried to teach from more than a few. Cynthia Whitcomb's is by far the best one I've ever seen. I recently moved to Portland, Oregon, and met the author, but I'd been using her "Writers Digest" columns in my classes for some time, simply because they contained the best advice I could find for my students. I'm thrilled that her good sense and honest advice are now in a book -- if I were teaching this quarter, it would be required. Why? Several reasons. First, she knows what she's talking about. This is no "those who can't do, teach" author. Her credits include the Emmy-nominated "I Know My Name is Steven" as well as the adaptation of "Buffalo Girls" and an uncredited but substantial rewrite on the "Sinatra" bio mini-series, and numerous movies of the week. Compare her credits to other screenwriting book authors, and you'll see why what she's giving you is so much more useful. This is someone who has been, and continues to be, there, and it shows. Second, her own students have written very successful features, including "Face Off." What she says is not only useful (and correct), it's also explained well. Third, the lists of scenes available on videotape or DVD for study are worth the price of the book all by themselves. The hardest part about writing scripts is getting a feel for what they look like on the screen, understanding why something does or doesn't work, and being able to translate that into your own script. Instead of simply asking you to read script pages (although she does that, too), Ms. Whitcomb leads you to the filmed scenes and sequences that will show you exactly what works. So if you're serious about writing scripts, this is the book you'll want to pick up, study, and rely on.
Rating:
Summary: It's All Here
Review: Ms. Whitcomb is a pro all the way. Not only are her credentials long and impressive as a screenwriter, it's clear from this book that she's a marvelous teacher. She takes a complicated process and breaks it down in ways that are easy to understand and remember. The concepts flow logically for a first reading and at the same time the material is organized in such a way that you can use the book as a checklist repeatedly throughout your writing process. I wouldn't attempt a screenplay without it sitting close at hand. As a bonus, it's fun reading. Full of personality and entertaining in its own right.
Rating:
Summary: A Tool For Writers
Review: Written in Cynthia's personable tone, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the craft of screenwriting. Its straight-forward content simplifies the screenwriting structure and process for the beginner. It is also a wonderful reference and companion for the more experienced writer. "Writing Your Screenplay" is a great tool to own.
Rating:
Summary: The Writer's Guide to Writing Your Screenplay
Review: You can tell how useful a textbook is by the number of colors I daub with pens and highlighters. My copy of Cynthia Whitcomb's book looks like a rainbow after just the first reading. It's a great book for would-be screenwriters: Both factual and easy to follow. Since she's had so many of her screenplays actually made into movies, you know she knows her stuff. This is a must-read book for future screen writers.
<< 1 >>
|
