Screen Plays: How 25 Screenplays Made It to a Theater Near You--for Better or Worse Paperback – February 10, 2009

All one has to do is read the introduction of this book. If after reading it, you can't help feeling atleast a bit sorrowful for the 12 year old whose work of art was changed against his wishes, you are going to love this book. It's certainly what happened to me.I am a young filmmaker and I write my own scripts. I want to say, that I have had just about enough of "how-to" books teaching young screenwriters about how to write "high concept" movies that sell quickly in Hollywood. Teaching young people in any profession how to sell one's soul while making a quick buck seems to have become the hallmark of all creative professions. As I was reeling from depression induced by reading one more of the "how to sell your screenplay in Hollywood" type book (to be fair I did learn somethings from that other book but it was as painful as trying to find a few pearls hidden behind layers upon layers of mud), I came across " Screenplays" by Mr. Cohen. I read the introduction on "look inside" feature and the honesty & ingenuity in it, won me over. This was the book I wanted to read and I am so glad I did it.From the first pages, the book is gripping and I didn't want to put it down. But I did put it down and read it slowly, so that it gave me more time to chew it and absorb it. The book is thoughtful & hopeful and well written. It provides food for thought for every kind of writer. It brought out the challenges of screenplay writing and development and what it means to stand up for the story you want to tell. The lessons I learnt from just the two chapters: "It's difficult talking to idiots" by writer-director Don Ross and "All you need is one person to believe in you" by novelist-screenplay writer George Dawes Green paid for the book itself. All the chapters have smart, practical tips mostly from people who had the guts to stand behind their stories and fought hard for it from page to screen. Now that's NOT what most get-rich-quick-in-Hollywood books are likely to teach effectively, is it?The most important tool in the toolbox for a budding artist is hope. Hope and a certain sense of faith in oneself. After all as per Mr. Cohen's rule for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "faith can move mountains of inventory"..! Conversely, the most dangerous place for an artist is being jaded. So, if you are feeling a little bid jaded and "torn at the edges", this is the book to cure you from it...!Mr. Cohen, thanks for writing this original book. This is certainly a "tale" that didn't get bent..!

Everybody with a job wishes, at some point, to be a fly on the wall during an important conversation between masters in their field, and listen in to the important negotiations, discussions and decision-making.But in the elusive world of writing, master craftsmen become hermits and useful information from successful people actually making a living by crafting stories is hard to come by. Enter SCREEN PLAYS. Read it and find yourself in awe.But to be clear: they're not all stories of success. Some illustrate bad choices and career-ending decisions. But learn from it, we will. No matter if you're wanting to be a screenwriter yourself, a novelist, a children's author - whatever - if your craft involves plot, characters, and dialogue, you can learn something from this book.Moreover, SCREEN PLAYS is also entertaining. Because you've seen most of the movies the book discusses, you can compare the final product with the work that went into the creation - and you'll find yourself nodding your head in agreement, reading with your mouth open in an O of wonder, and laughing at the events that unfold in this biography of sorts.I read this over a 6-week period; one movie discussion at a time as a break between other reading. This is a keeper for me and something I highly recommend to anyone interested in any kind of behind-the-scenes dirt on the business of writing.

A compelling read for movie fans and industry professionals alike. Cohen's book covers twenty-five scripts, each script following its own unique and sometimes tumultuous journey. The book feels like a backstage pass, as if a secret spy cam was tethered to each script from beginning to end and Cohen plucks out for the reader the most fascinating twists and turns of each journey, giving us plenty of gems of insider information: including personal quotes from various people involved with each film, to the internal processes of the writers, to the bickering about who deserves who's writing credits, to the being replaced as the writer on the writer's own script. Cohen's hard-fact journalism is mixed with a perfect dose of compassion for the messy humanity that is required to make any work of art come to life. A fascinating view into just what it takes to get a script made in Hollywood.

ok

I caught up with this book in the library -- (and then actually bought a copy)...it serves as a warning to anyone that trys to talk-the-walk of attempting writing screenplays. If they only knew how Hollywood eats you up, and leaves you as road kill...I found the authors conversations with the people that lived to talk about their films -- (with the best of intentions) a Testament to the flawed movie making process...sad but amazingly fascinating. Eat it up, this is a good one!!

very entertaining read, even if you're not a writer. I LOVE movie trivia, and to learn more about movies I love (or just the process of move making in general) is fascinating, and the writer clearly has a way with words. It's easy to read, but very well put together. Def recommend this book for a flight or a day at the pool.

Interesting and insightful. Fully worth the purchase price

Such an amazing book. If you've ever wanted to be a screen writer or know what it's like to go through what they go through, get this book!

By case studying the screenplay writers journey throughout and within the film making process Cohen unveils the reality of the writers lot like no other self book. He interviews the writers of films as big and successful as Gladiator to Todd Solandz Happiness... everything you wanted to know about the rough ride is hereAll you need now is a script to sell and get on that rocky road of frustration and determination to see you concept survive or at best make it to screen

Not as interesting to me as I thought it would be from other reviews. Feels like a waste of money.