I got to thinking yesterday about how to help new screenwriters the way so many generous folks helped me...and btw, I still consider myself new to all of this. I just want to help. Hopefully some of the people who are on this platform will chime in with some recommendations too.
If you're a new screenwriter and don't know where to start to learn about structure, here are some of the books, screenplays, classes, & webinars that helped me. It's not an all-inclusive list, but, I'm sharing because people shared with me, and, we're all in this together! One wonderful member here shared a quote that's become my mantra of sorts--"we are what we inspire"...
So, here it goes:
Some books that helped me to grasp structure, create characters, and gave me motivation- Save The Cat (Blake Snyder), The Writer's Journey (Christopher Vogler), The War of Art (Steven Pressfield), Change Your Story, Change Your Life (Jen Grisanti), Into The Woods: A Five Act Journey...(John Yorke), The Anatomy of Story : 22 Steps...(John Truby), and The 50-minute Hour (Robert Lindner).
Screenplays: American Beauty; Whiplash; Ladybird; 12 Angry Men; The Godfather; Chinatown; Pulp Fiction...(I know I missed some good ones)
Classes: Any class by John Truby or Robert McKee (Stage32 offers affordable webinars in the vault); Jen Grisanti & Anna Henry for TV writing; and the Writer's Room here on Stage32 (highly recommend this one); Pilar Alessandra; Michael Hauge...many others...
Webinars: Most of them have been done through Stage32 because of ease of access and the broad selection available...the most memorable ones were with Samm Haillay, Robert McKee & Anna Henry. I'd also recommend Jen Grisanti.
Please feel free to add to the list if you feel inclined and know of a great resource not listed...
Happy writing!
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Thanks for sharing this, Chaun
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^^^^^^
this! I watched some of Sundance's webinars last year and it's everything you need by people who make movies and tv shows for a living. There's a screenwriting class by the screenwriter of Captain Marvel and she explains the job of a screenwriter, her process from page to Screen (KEY HERE: screen. Produced by a studio/Big corporation level).
But believe who you wanna believe. I listen to podcasts. And I listen to filmmakers. Like Brian Koppelman. He swears all gurus/screenwriting books are Bullshit. Calculate Less. Write what fascinates you. Read books your characters would read.
Koppelman's expertise and world are about grifters. He co-wrote "rounders" movie and co-created “billions” tv show.
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Nice. Will check out the Sundace webinars...
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Sundance webinars are good, lots of good stuff on Youtube (some pretty bad stuff too - so be careful). As far as books go - most just repeat the same-o-same old. The Screenwriter's Bible (Dave Trottier) is worth the price. Throw that Save the Cat book away!
Thanks B.B. Lauria! Sundance??! I'm going to look into it!
Thanks everyone for offering info...this is such a great time to write and educate yourself. I'm hoping to get some rewrites in
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Welcome! Thank you for sharing!
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BFTA podcasts.