Books that were recommended to me.

pstudios said:

I have 2 new books(actully used copies), that were recommended to me.
They are: Writing Treatments That Sell(by Kenneth Atchity)
Screenwriting From the Soul(Richard Krevolin)

Has anyone had experiences with these books and how did you best use them in writing and the learning process.Jennifer

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I'm not familiar with either of the books, but I've heard of both the author's and they are both respected.

In all my years as a screenwriter and a development executive I have not once been asked to provide or requested a treatment when there is interest in a project based on a verbal or written pitch (query letter).

The only times I've ever had a need for one is when the production company has been seeking financing for projects we have in development or when I was developing pitches for tv series concepts.

Treatments are just one more thing between your buyer and your script.

Although I have over 100 books on the subject, on my desk, I have and use:

1. The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script by David Trottier

2. The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers (14th Edition)

3. Chris Vogler's THE WRITER'S JOURNEY

4. Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces

5. The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters: Insider's Secrets from Hollywood's Top Writers by Karl Iglesias

6. McKee's Story

7. Blueprint for Screenwriting: A Complete Writer's Guide to Story Structure and Character Development by Rachel, Ph.D. Ballon, Rachel Friedman Ballon

8. The Screenwriter's Workbook by SYD FIELD

9. How To Write High Structure, High Concept Movies by Rob Tobin


Normally I wouldn't shamelessly plug a friend's work, but a member of my online screenwriters networking group, The Screenplayers (http://www.screenplayers.net), just published a pretty good book called:

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

I read it (he was kind to send us all a copy with many thanks) and it deals alot with the new 4Q screenwriting theory which enhances the 3 act structure. It's easy to read, fun and gives good insights to a new writer.

Joe, do you have any suggestions for book about writing dialouge?