Screenwriter's Bible - 6th Edition by David Trottier (7-Aug-2014) Paperback Unknown Binding

I bought this book years ago when I was in film school, and I'll be honest I didn't use it as much until after I graduated because I started working immensely on my scripts. It has helped abundantly! Incredibly encouraging style! Yes, it is hefty in size (over 400 pages) but it's worth the amount and time to read. All the advice and structure helps with different aspects of the industry, from formatting spec scripts, query letters, tips on dialogue, it's incredible! Without being overbearing, it's well organized.I recently found out about the 7th edition so I also have that for informational and new industry standard comparisons. So far it seems to be a bit more condensed in certain chapters compared to the 6th but overall still hefty. Some paragraphs are removed for clarity, some are added. I prefer the 6th in some ways because of the organization but both are fantastic. Also, the order of the table of contents is rearranged a little in the 7th edition.

I've used Trottier's "Bible" since starting out as an aspiring screenwriter in Illinois over ten years ago when the cover was blue - I haven't the slightest clue what edition that was but it was my first - and of all the books I've read to hone my craft the "Bible" has consistently been a must have merely as a reference if nothing else. Having lived and worked as a writer professionally for over half a decade now and living in Los Angeles over a decade I could tell you without a doubt a single book isn't going to turn anyone into a writer overnight. I happen to fall in the Hemingway camp believing writer's are born not made, however with screenwriting it would have to be the one medium of writing with "rules" and the bible explains the rules but doesn't preach them like your typical McKee or Cyd Fields Book - not that I'm knocking either one of the two gentlemen in fact I will always be grateful to Cyd Fields paradigm system (may he rest in peace). Anyway back on point, Trottier's "Bible" is great for all levels and talents from novice to Michael Mann (not saying he himself endorses this book in anyway, I'm simply referencing him as the top tier of writing talents however if he has the bible I wouldn't be surprised) because if nothing else this book contains everything us pro's have forgotten about screenwriting as the saying goes.Personally for me I use the Bible simply as a reference for those tricky, not every day tools such as "Inserts" etc. Not only does the bible help provide a more simple way to put idea to page but it shows the industry standard not one person's trick. Not having read the bible cover to cover in over a decade I can't speak to his journey in teaching the fundamentals of structure and plot but from what I recall from earlier editions he references films most everyone has seen to show examples. This newest edition references newer movies which I'd actually consider the one fault of the book as in my personal and humble opinion I don't feel the future screenwriters of the world should be taking notes from the trash on the silver screen today but rather we should preserve and reference the classics from the 40's-90's when film-making was still about telling great stories and not just selling popcorn and putting butts in seats. You can't write in 3D after all.All in all Trottier puts together a good product here which is cut up into separate books to cover everything from fundamentals to selling your final product. However from professional experience it's important to keep in mind screenwriting isn't a get rich quick scheme. You're not going to read this book, send out a query letter, and be rich and famous the following day, It takes elbow grease. Rewrites. Patience. Rejection. Rejection. And More Rejection... and a lot of luck. All and all this is a fine reference book which a writer can hold onto throughout his entire career and realistically use here and there but it's not the only book out there on screenwriting and I don't suggest sticking only to this one. Feed yourself with as much you can and hone your craft by writing every day and if you ever get stuck or don't quite know how to efficiently and best show your audience what's in your head flip through this "bible" and I'm sure you'll find something. Good luck.

I purchased my first time when it was in the 3rd edition (2001) back when I was living in Germany, freshly out of the Military, a new mom and my husband was deployed. I needed something to keep me occupied and so, I took a writing course. But, no matter what I wrote, I never FINISHED anything. I had great ideas, but didn't understand how stories were supposed to be structured. I often started a story and wrote myself time and time again into a corner. So, I thought... hmmm... what about writing a script? It's more or less an outline with a bunch of dialogue, right?And of course, it's a whole hell of a lot more than that!But the most important thing it did for me was help me COMPLETE a story... finish it. 90 pages of a fully fleshed out story that moved through the ACTS just like Dave taught me with a backstory, catalyst, a big event, midpoint, crisis, climax, realization. And then, from that point forward... ALL of my outlines have hit all the major points he lists which makes writing my books a much easier task and I no longer write myself into a corner. Now, I think about these major plot points BEFORE I even write out my outline. And then, I write my story like a script with all the dialogue until I've hit the 90 pages. From there, I can tag the dialogue with action and fill in the description like a director sees it in their head.The updated edition is just as good, if not, BETTER than the 3rd edition. And I couldn't be more pleased with owning, now, TWO of these bibles!Thank you, Dave Trottier, for really helping me understand how act structures work and what PLOT POINTS actually are. I mean, I get that there are beats to a story like a song. But the way you explain things just make SENSE! Again... THANK YOU!

This is the best and clearest book on screenwriting I have seen to date. The chapter on formatting screenplays is very sensible too.I'm comparing this to "The Hollywood Standard" by Christopher Riley - which is a good book - and "The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats - Part 1: The Screenplay" by Cole and Haag - which is dated, disorganised and inconsistent (compare the contradictory formatting advice on pages 5 and 11).Trottier's book uses very clear examples of well known and up-to-date films, although he doesn't cover how screenplays are revised during film production; you'll need "The Hollywood Standard" to explain how that works (coloured paper, revision marks, 'A' pages, page numbering, etc.).I'd reserve the Cole and Haag book to the 'interesting reading' category.

Good book nice easy format to read. I am enjoying reading it, there are plenty of film examples to illustrate the text and I find that very helpful.Having glanced through the remainder of the book I can see why it was tilted as it is. Very Recommend.

A Gift much Loved ! I gifted a friend who absolutely loves the book - a real text book that gives wonderful insights from each aspect of what is involved in producing a screenwriter's story, script .

Great book for those who are studying scriptwriting or are currently writing a script very informative and helpful

This is an excellent book, packed with information. If you need this type of information this would be the book for you.