The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

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!

I am an experienced novelist (eight novels) and I need to adapt those novels to feature films and television series. The four screenplays that I have already created are undergoing rewrites as a result of my use of the Screenwriter's Bible. The essential advice of David Trottier is to write for the reader. Since I do that writing novels, it's an easier task for me to write screenplays using that advice. He eschews all things technical (write a spec script, not a shooting script) and advises to write for the script reader. Maker it easier on her to know your story. He teaches how to write tight descriptions that convey the scene that do not intrude on the story, action or flow. Trottier is obviously a highly experienced professional who has spilled his gray matter onto the pages for our benefit. He has taken me to school and it would have been cheap at twice the price. Allow me to indicate how important his advice was for me: I am creating a film production company to adapt The de'Conti Series of Novels by Nicholas Borelli (my work) to The de'Conti Film Franchise. This treatise on screenwriting has paved the way for me to do that because I want the stories and characters in my novels to be reflected, in their purest form, on the silver screen. Extraordinarily helpful in taking my screenwriting to levels far above what they had been. -- Nicholas Borelli FATA! The Act of the Avengeance (The de'Conti Series Book 1)

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.

Without question this book sits on or next to my desk at all times. I’ve marked passages I want to quickly reference, and I grab it when something weird or new comes up. Screenwriting can be pretty “the same,” but there are things for 1. newbies who are learning and 2. you might not write often and just want to make sure you’re doing properly and clearly. This book will get you there. I’d say it does not 100% answer everything - technology, communication, new ways of doing things - alter “tradition” all the time. But this book is THE solid foundation I wanted and I think most others will find it’s that good. I would recommend Dr Format Tells All as a supplement. And of course you’ll check online from time to time. But overall, this book gets you started on a solid foundation and will be there for all those, “now what” moments. I do have another formatting book that’s decent, but I prefer this one.

If you are a writer with the ambition of writing a box office success. this Bible series is a MUST for you. I bought my first one in the late 80's just on a whim and used to write a documentary. It was more then I bargained for and step by step I wrote my script and won best documentary for an event. So every time a new one came out, I bought one. The industry changes, I penned my first script in 1988, a degree in Creative Writing and now I review scripts (script reader, consultant). I don't listen to those who think they know it all or brag they have written that $300 million script, because in the real world and the industry as moody as the viewer is it takes a script with the essentials and formatted a certain way per genre that makes it a box office success. This Bible series keeps it real, updates, changes and other changes. You will never be disappointed or rejected when it comes to you want to enter a contest. I look at this way, you are just getting a jump start on the competition and impress a producer who is doing the reading at the end and also those script readers who will write a nine page review will still rip your script apart, the odds are in your favor to advance to the next round.

Although I have published a novel (The Prophetess of Islam) and a book of short stories (Quirky People You May Have Met)--both available on Amazon, this book is ideal for a guy like me. I have never tried writing a screenplay and wouldn't have known where to start had it not been for this book. This 5-part tutorial is comprehensive, thorough, elucidating, and author Trottier provides examples (from top movies most of us have seen) to illustrate his points. You *really* need this book if you have no idea (and I did not) how to format your text and where the placement is expected by the studios' readers who will either pass your baby on up the line or file it in the slush pile-destined-for-landfill area of the office. It is (physically) large and with its 450+ pages it is indeed "the bible" if you want to appear professional, prepared, and "ready for prime time" your first time out.

This book was one of the first books on screenwriting that I bought. I live by it!! I love his column Dr. Format too.

This book is awesome! It covers everything you need to know, and does so in a clear, easily digestible manner. It consists of five major sections (or as the writer calls them, "books") 1) How to Write a Screenplay: A Primer 2) 7 Steps to a Stunning Script: A Workbook 3) Proper Formatting Technique: A Style Guide 4) Writing and Revising Your Breakthrough Script: A Script Consultant's View 5) How to Sell Your Script: A Marketing Plan So when we're talking about the screenwriting process, this book really takes you from the beginning stages all the way through to the end. It's a marvelous resource to have for anyone who is interested in the subject, and I highly recommend it.

Excelente libro, muy entendible y útil En cuanto al envío, llegó antes de lo estimado

This book had many useful tips but did not provide the template for screenplay presentation I was looking for.

Habe von einem anderen Anbieter ein Jahr warten müssen, bis das Buch kam, dieses kam innerhalb von wenigen Tagen, ist ein step by step Drehbuchguide...

... reprend beaucoup de ce qui peut être trouvé dans d'autres livres. Par contre, pour une première lecture, il se révèlera très complet.