Genre Screenwriting: How to Write Popular Screenplays That Sell

by Stephen V. Duncan

It's films need to have commercial value for the studios to produce them, distributors to sell them, and theater chains to screen them. While talent definitely plays a part in the writing process, it can be the well-executed formulaic approaches to the popular genres that will first get you noticed in the industry.


Genre How to Write Popular Screenplays That Sell does not attempt to probe in the deepest psyche of screenwriters and directors of famous or seminal films, nor does it attempt to analyze the deep theoretic machinations of films. Duncan's simple goal is to give the reader, the screenwriter, a practical guide to writing each popular film genre. Employing methods as diverse as using fairy tales to illustrate the 'how to' process for each popular genre, and discussing these popular genres in modern television and its relation to its big screen counterpart, Duncan provides a one-stop shop for novices and professionals alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2008

Reviews

[Jenny Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good general explainer of popular film genres. That said, there's a limit to how seriously I can take writing advice from a guy who thinks 100% of adverbs end in 'ly.'

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laid out in a naturally progressive way, and good for story writers in all fields for the basics on what makes a story stick with people long after the book or film ends.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of good information on tailoring your script for a certain genre with good writing helps.

[Cortez_jk · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great reference book. i just needed to read a small part of it but i ended up reading the entire thing. i would suggest reading it all, it couldn't hurt =)

[J.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful book, but limited in the types of genres it includes.