The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and Elements of a Screenplay Paperback – 29 Sept. 2011

A really good craft book

Like the book, paper cut off from text is a bit tight. Same text as 1995 edition. It's a very helpful book, I like the brevity of chapters.

I was recommended this book by my tutor on a university screenwriting course and I have found it easily the most useful of the many screenwriting books I've read. If you want a thoughtful, perceptive and readable primer then I don't think there's anything better. The authors don't attempt to give a story "blueprint" (like that of Syd Field) and there is none of the dense and prescriptive prose of Robert McKee's "Story". The book does not attempt to advance any overarching theory or model but concentrates on story awareness and skills. There are short chapters covering basic storytelling tools such as protagonist-antagonist relationships, conflict, the world of the story and the uses of uncertainty. The authors then go on to show how these elements work in film and explain the various scriptwriting techniques to make the story work, write interesting characters that are complex and believable and keep the audience watching. The style is highly readable, obviously knowledgeable and very inspiring. All ideas and techniques are backed up with excellent examples and the analyses of various feature films are genuinley helpful in explaining the screenwriting elements that the authors have identified.Highly recommended.

TO CALL DAVID HOWARD AN INTELLECTUAL IS SURPRISING, & ERRONEOUS. HE NEVER MET MABLEY, BUT SIMPLIFIED & DUMBED-DOWN MABLEY'S THOUGHTFUL & WIDE-RANGING BOOK, WHICH COVERS DRAMA FROM SOPHOCLES TO GIRAUDOUX TO WEISS' MARAT/SADE. MABLEY'S BOOK IS SADLY OUT OF EDITION. THERE ARE MANY BETTER BOOKS THAN THIS - TRY LINDA COWGILL, OR YVES LAVANDIER. HOWARD IS THE DECEASED FRANK DANIEL'S MOST AVID DISCIPLE, BUT LACKS DANIEL'S LEARNING, TALENT & INTUITION. I WORK FULL-TIME WITH PROFESSIONAL FILM WRITERS, & I'VE NEVER MET ONE WHO RATED HOWARD, WHO IS THE ARCHETYPAL AMERICAN GURU.