Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect

by Claudia Hunter Johnson

The only screenwriting book that includes a DVD that contains performances of the short films and screenplays that are featured in the book!

The beauty and power of any story lies in its ability to connect to the reader, listener, or observer. Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect is the first screenwriting guide to introduce connection as an essential, although essentially overlooked, aspect of creating stories for the screen and of the screenwriting process itself. Written with clarity and humor, this book teaches the craft of writing short screenplays by guiding the student through carefully focused writing exercises of increasing length and complexity. Eight award-winning student screenplays are included for illustration and inspiration.

The text is divided into three parts. Part one focuses on preparing to write by means of exercises designed to help students think more deeply about the screenwriter's purposes; their own unique vision, material and process; and finally about what screenplays are at their simplest and most profound level—a pattern of human change, created from specific moments of change—discoveries and decisions.

Part two teaches students how to craft an effective pattern of human change. It guides them through the writing and re-writing of "Five (Not So Easy) Pieces"—five short screenplays of increasing length and complexity—focusing on a specific principle of dramatic technique: The Discovery, The Decision, The Boxing Match, The Improbable Connection, and The Long Short Screenplay.

Part Three presents the five screenplays used throughout the book to illustrate the dramatic principles that have beendiscussed, and includes interviews with the screenwriters, a look at where they are now and what they are doing, and brief discussion of how each film evolved.

* Groundbreaking book that stresses human connection as the basis of a good screenplay&151;not conflict
* The only screenwriting book that includes a DVD that contains performances of the short films and screenplays that are featured in the book
* Ample exercises for practice and inspiration

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Film, School

312 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2000

Reviews

[Nolan Croce]

Most of the books is quotes from other authors, so if you like collections of quotes, go for it.

[emma]

One of my favorite screenwriting books I've read! She sticks to screenwriting (I'm looking at literally every other so called "screenwriting" book), and SHE is FUNNY. I'm not exactly interested in screenwriting, but this book really motivated me to enjoy the process a lot more! I recommend!

[Michael]

I liked this book because of the great screenplays included. I didn't think too much of the epiphany of the author, but perhaps it was revolutionary at the time. I mean... is it novel to believe that connections to the audience (or reader for that matter) are vital?

[meme a.]

First read (just reading without following the exercises): I will try to reread this book while following the exercises she’s giving, but as of now, the book is very much a collection of other people’s quotes. The amount of quotes is actually astounding. Without having tried her writing exercises, I think they seem good and not intermediating to jump into, so that’s great for beginners, but she does neglect many important aspects and I hoped for a stronger guide than what was given - maybe with more writing exercises and less about what others have said/why connection is important (we know it is, I promise!)/stories about her experiences, etc. Felt like she was telling a story (or many stories) rather than guide the reader through writing short scripts. I also wish the exercises were clearer within the book rather than embedding them within stories and definitions and explanations—so that it is easier to go back to them for a refresher. In general, I find films without much conflict (even with strong emotional connection) overall weak and uninteresting—I want to feel connected but I also want to see the characters go through an actual journey with highs and lows and where they actually have to act—and so her emphasis on connection (which don’t get me wrong, it’s very important! But is also not a revelation) and lack of focus on other aspects (especially guides/exercises to developing those other aspects in your story) made the book less valuable to me.

[Livvy]

"I don't care what you're doing, you're always writing somewhere in the back of your mind."
I don't know how to be objective over a book that is part of my reading list for grad school (*screams) but here we are.
Would give it a higher rating but I am a little baby who will not take the chapter about Collaboration as law until I start hustling in the industry.

[Graeme]

This book is so annoying to read. The author is constantly quoting other authors at length. Constantly referencing specific details of short films which the author has a direct connection to but no one else has seen. Constantly discussing the definitions of words. Pedantry and filler. Frustrating when your hunting for insight and not finding it.

[Alex]

Not bad, I think there are better books out there for this kind of thing. But wanted to give this one a re-read since I'm starting on some short film ideas.

[Adam Murphy]

This book helped me understand the idea of connection through screenwriting (a lot more than the usual screenwriting books that I've read in the past). I was so glad that I got a chapter dedicated to several short screenplays that I can analyse & cross-reference from page to screen. Especially got the chance to read one of Barry Jenkins’s short scripts while there. I have to try that “Le Menu” technique before I start writing a draft.

[Distian]

Easy to understand, easy to applied, intelligently put every aspect of building a good screenplay and share many personal experience of the writer too. In a nutshell, this book is simply 'connected' to us.

[Jenna]

Great book on creating short screenplays. Johnson presents techniques, guidance, and sample copies of short screenplays.

[FSU Alumni]

Claudia Hunter Johnson (Ph.D. '89)

[Mills College Library]

currently-reading

[Alice Craine]

Good for practicing