Scriptwriting Structure: To-the-Point Pointers

by Bob May, D.A. Sarac (Editor), Gustav Carlson (Cover)

Are you a beginning playwright? A new screenwriter? Are you a seasoned professional seeking proven practices in scriptwriting? Solid structure is the key, and in Scriptwriting Structure: To-the-Point Pointers, Bob May has spun Aristotle's theories and modern practices together to form his own structural techniques that have led to twenty-five of his scripts being published and hundreds of productions around the world.The right-to-the-point nature of the storytelling will make you feel as though Mr. May is talking directly to you, teaching his valuable lessons on:

- illustrating what dramatic action is

- understanding the importance of character objectives in scripts

- using proper formatting in plays or screenplays

- understanding and using a script structural technique known as PASTO

- applying Aristotle's Six Key Elements in the writing of scripts

- how to be a better playwright or screenwriter.

Writing scripts that work can be a solitary business. But with this book, you have a friend by your side.

162 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2016

About the author

Bob May began directing professionally in 1972 after graduating with a B. A. in Theatre from St. Cloud State University (MN), and since that time has directed over four hundred productions across the country.

In 1994 Bob earned an M. F. A. in Playwriting from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and directing took a backseat to writing.

Twenty-five of his plays are published and have been produced around the world. The most popular are Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine, Elson – The First Christmas Elf, and Jack and Bella: From Beanstalk to Broadway.

He wrote The Gulf Coastal Plains Region episode for the Arkansas Educational Television Network (PBS) program The Great Experience of Arkansas: An Amazing Journey Through Six Regions. His book on acting Postcard Pointers to the Performer is published by Dominion Publications.

Currently Mr. May teaches playwriting and screenwriting at The University of Central Arkansas.

He and his wife, Cathy, have five children and four grandchildren. Mr. May is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America.

Reviews

[Alicia Brautigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is the perfect textbook for scriptwriting. All of the complicated elements of scriptwriting structure are condensed to allow for easier understanding and all the examples used are popular cultural references that will be easily recognizable.

Bob May, the writer of this book, was a professor of mine that I took for three classes when I was getting my Creative Writing degree so I'll admit I'm a bit biased, but his personality seeps into his writing. The voice that you read in the book will sound just like the man that wrote them. I've had many other writing courses, but this book was easily the most direct and helpful scriptwriting textbook that I've ever read.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pointers! Written with a fun sense of humor.