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

by David Trottier

The Screenwriter’s Bible‘s 7th edition marks the 25th anniversary of one of the most popular, authoritative, and useful books on screenwriting. A standard by which other screenwriting books are measured, it has sold over 340,000 copies in its twenty-five-year life. Always up-to-date and reliable, it contains everything that both the budding and working screenwriter need under one cover—five books in one!

A Screenwriting Primer—that provides a concise course in screenwriting basics;
A Screenwriting Workbook—that walks you through the complete writing process, from nascent ideas through final revisions;
A Formatting Guide—that thoroughly covers today’s correct formats for screenplays and TV scripts;
A Spec Writing Guide—that demonstrates today’s spec style through sample scenes and analysis, with an emphasis on grabbing the reader’s interest in the first ten pages;
A Sales and Marketing Guide—that presents proven strategies to help you create a laser-sharp marketing plan.

Among this book’s wealth of practical information are sample query letters, useful worksheets and checklists, hundreds of examples, sample scenes, and straightforward explanations of screenwriting fundamentals. The sixth edition is chock-full of new examples, the latest practices, and new material on non-traditional screenplay outlets.

Genres: Writing, Film, Nonfiction, Reference, School, Textbooks, How To

614 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is chock-full-o useful information about how to format your scripts. It might seem like a minor point, and you might have the mindset, "Well, my story is so good, they'll overlook any formatting errors." However, professional script readers have tons of scripts cross their desk and if they see a bunch of formatting errors, they are likely to assume they are dealing with an amateur and may toss your script aside unread.

Anyway, Trottier's book is like a Strunk and White's for the screen writing world. Buy a copy, read it, and abide by it. And also write good stories!

[Joe Albanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books tells you everything a beginning screenwriter needs to know abut the screenwriting business. The first half of the book teaches you how to write a great screenplay (how to create characters, story concepts, plot points, etc) along with formatting information so your script looks how people in the industry expect it to look. He then gives a detailed explanation of how to sell your screenplay and really start your writing career. It gives a potential screenwriter great insight into the world of a hollywood screenwriter and does not sugarcoat how hard that is going to be. But he offers encouragement along the way that gives you confidence in your writing goals. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in writing for the movies or tv.

[Jason Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is primarily for people who want to write a screenplay or sell a subsequent screenplay they have written. But it's a testament to David Trottier's writing style that even with this sort of niche format, there's a solid readability that makes this an enjoyable book regardless.

The highlight is when he breaks down the outline elements that go into a script, the beats that come up in screenplays across the board. He makes this a pleasant read by using examples from well known films, blending in multiple examples and points of view in a way that avoids its mechanical origins of "this is what you need to write".

Subsequent passages are a little more mechanical and craft-heavy, like the extensive notes on script formatting, and the arguably repetitive notes about how to sell a screenplay, but their throughness and accuracy are hard to ignore. Definitely helpful to any aspiring writers. And there's still a bit of writing flow that you don't usually see in books like this.

While I'm just a (Very) aspirational screenwriter who has primary experience in college courses and the like, I have also read several of the best known screenwriting books in the business. And I think this is both the most thorough and useful tome in that genre, and the one that gets closest to being an actual book to enjoy.

5/5

(other than William Goldman's books about writing, but those are a little more on the memoir side....)

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOURTH EDITION

This is a fantastic addition to the aspiring (and maybe accomplished) screenwriter.

The book is broken down into sections, which author Trottier states you can read in any order (but suggests you go cover to cover if you can). Mostly I read the book from start to finish, but a few sections I skipped and read at the end.

I like that Trottier gives solid examples of proper formatting. But he also gives pointers on how to strengthen a script's story, structure and depth.

I like that Trottier gives lots of examples, and that the examples come from various movies from various eras and genres.

This book has one of the better explanations of queries that I've come across (some books seem to breeze by this oh-so-important step) and by the time I finished reading about treatments, meetings and pitches, that world didn't seem quite so scary or daunting.

I also like that it has a great index, with easy to find sections, so it's a fantastic book to keep nearby when you're writing or editing.

This is definitely one of the most thorough books on screenwriting I've read, and it does so without being dry.

I think this would make a great read for beginners as it does a good job of explaining various aspects of the screenwriting world and process. And while this might not be the only book a screenwriter will need, it's definitely one I would suggest getting!

[Kristin Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essential guide for aspiring screenwriters that covers all the bases. Easy to read. I'm sticking with novels for now, but this manual helped me get on track and get going on my next book. I'd only suggest that Trottier use more popular/classic movie examples to illustrate his points vs. his own scripts (Like he did so well with Casablanca). A reader can take away more from his point if they know the material.

[Jurij Fedorov · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's nothing you have not read 10 times before if you have already written for some years. But it's not bad. All the essential stuff is here. All the stuff you keep telling beginners about :-)

Pro:

The book is great for beginners. I wish actually I had read it after writing my first screenplay. There are a lot of really essential tips here. Of course today many of the tips appear on Youtube too. But most of them are still only found in books such as this one. Or websites. And it's very well written and to the point. Some of the other books on screenwriting are painfully repetitive. There are really no great book on this topic. Just pick 3 and read them. You won't love any of them but you will learn a bit from them all.

Con:

There comes a time when you have written enough screenplays to understand what works and what doesn't work in a screenplay. I still make mistakes but they are mostly structure mistakes about making the plot itself work for 90 minutes. Sometimes readers get lost in the story and not the scenes. That's my problem. I tend to get lost in long screenplays. This book doesn't really give you any solution for those more indepth problems. It was nice to get the basics refreshed and I guess I have something I can semi-recommend to new writers. But it's just the very basics. He also keeps linking to his site. And that site has not been updated for 10 years now I assume. It just looks so old. Please someone, write a NEW book on this topic. I'm tired of reading 20 year old books on this topic and seeing writers use examples from movies no one remembers anymore. Also, it's a huge minus that he is not an acknowledged writer and his examples in the book could have been better.



I don't know what to think about it. It's a great resource but I still think a better book should be written on the topic. A book that explains how to write a script from A to Z, step by step. And frankly, I was searching for something more deep. This is so basic that you may as well find a website and read about it.

If you are struggling a bit with writing effective scenes then read this book. It will help you with that.

[Michael Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on screenwriting, period. There may be others that give you more insight into the complexity of storytelling or the hottest new trends in the trade, but for the nuts and bolts on every aspect of the craft--from formatting to scene building to dramatic structure--this is it. This is the book I use to teach my screenwriting classes, and Trottier is the expert I turn to whenever I have a question about formatting or other technical issues. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, whether you have one screenwriting book or a hundred, this is the book that should be first on your shelf.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Rachel Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bible correctly describes this book. It's dense and huge. While the information was good, the book itself is HUGE. So huge I couldn't comfortable read it and ended up selling the print copy and buying the ebook just so I could manage to hold it. The information was good and as a beginning screenwriter I got some tips from it. Overall, I felt I got better info from Syd Field's Screenplay and Blake Snyder's Save the Cat for the basics. Together those books give you a lot more food for thought and paradigms to play with. Take what works for you and leave the rest ;) The Bible provides more details on actual structure as it applies to writing and formatting guidelines. For that this is a great reference tool.

[T. Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the 7th Edition but the book is not listed on Goodreads. The book was very useful in helping me to adapt my first Novella into a screenplay for a Horror screenwriting contest. Not only was it useful in formatting but I learned how to strengthen my description when showing how characters reacted throughout the story. Trottier's information also helped me to go back and strengthen parts of the original story that the screenplay was adapted from. I highly recommend The Screenwriter's Bible 7th Edition to those who are both new and old to screenwriting. There is a lot of updated material that you will not find from searching screenwriting formatting on the web. Especially if you are not willing to purchase screenplay formatting software.

[Jozeph Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب the screen writer's bible او انجيل السيناريست
اتسمي بالاسم ده لانه بيعتبر من اكتر الكتب المقدسة عند السيناريست او كاتب الفيلم ... لأنه مليان بbasics او قواعد دايما بترَجع اي مؤلف للمسار الصحيح في الكتابة و الاكثر عمقا في خلق الشخصيات و صناعة الحبكة و تعلم التيمة و ال genre
انا اشتريت الكتاب ده من Amazon
لكن عملا بمبدأ التبشير زي ما حصل في الانجيل ... انا كمان هبشر بالكتاب ده جدا
لو اي حد حابب يتعرف علي الكتاب و محتواه يقولي .... هبعتله الفهرس
اما لو عجبك محتوي الكتاب فـ ياريت تقولي انك محتاجة و انا هعملك نسخة او هديك الكتاب تصوره عشان يبقي عندك انجيل في بيتك برضه يبارك كل افلامك

[T. Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not really interested in writing a script, I picked this read to gain a better understanding on how to read one, and I'm glad I did. This book is an excellent guide and it was also very entertaining. There is a great deal of repetition but I personally felt it was needed and presented in such a way that it gives you those "Oh" and "Ah-ha" moments.

I still don't feel as if I have the emotional fortitude to attempt to write my own script but I feel the book has armed me quite well and has gotten me excited about tackling such a challenge. I would definitely reckon end this to anyone who has even the slightest I interest in the field.

[Hena · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a good intro to screenwriting but it is very conformative to hollywood standards, and as such teaches very formulaic writing. still, its a good starter book and good for reference. but don't be afraid to think outside the box, something which the author is against

[Rickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this in 2007 when my sister-in-law converted my novel Rendezvous Rock to a screenplay. Both of us knew nothing about writing a screenplay and found it extremely informative. I recommend it for anyone who is contemplating writing their first screenplay.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the best formatting guide for screenplays.

There is not a better resource and it has a permanant place bside my desktop for finding out obscure rules for formatting.

Add on some great advice for writing, and it should be on every writer desk.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The formatting section is excellent! But I would say that the rest of this book is a bit repetitive and dumbed down. It doesn't offer much in the way of actually improving story aspects of your script. only technical ones.It is a very valuable resource, but could stand to be half as long.

[LMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book on screenwriting. I would highly recommend it, right after Invisible Ink.

[Celise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful on formatting!

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, especially in regards to formatting.

[Zora · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read the 6th edition; there is a newer one out there.

This is a much more practical guide than McKee, Field, Trury (etc etc) and even moreso than Snyder, who is more practical than those other structure theorists. Trottier calls himself Dr. Format, and honestly, it's an true enough sobriquet (if a little goofy). How to format, what to put in the action beats, what the wrylies can and cannot be, how to montage, superimpose a date, run a character through rooms of a house while not distracting the reader: he has all this. That section alone is worth the price of the book. You will eff up MUCH LESS after reading this.

But the other parts are good too. There are worksheets on structure, info on the sales material you need to accumulate, contact cards, a way to make a plan for trying to sell the flipping thing. Why not to use precise music and other such practical points.

Also useful are a handful of scenes that didn't work for X reason (on the nose dialog, or putting in action beats that are unactable, or so on) where he says "now you try to fix it." Smart exercises. Easier to fix others' weak scripts than your own, for sure, as you have zero emotional investment in their crap and love your own crap!

Less useful when he refers you to his website, where he lists none of the resources he says he does within these pages. (the industry is changing rapidly, so this is understandable, but surely it wouldn't be that much time to keep up some of that stuff, like legit. contests. You can find that info elsewhere online, but he should take out the links if he isn't going to keep them up.) His own scripts he puts here aren't great examples, imo. But then surely you already know to go to imsdb and read some great ones there, right? No one will walk you through the right points on each page, but after reading this, and re-reading a top script 2-3 times, you should be able to figure it out on your own.

4.5 stars. If I keep writing screenplays, I might just buy a new copy and keep in on my shelf for references. Maybe when edition #8 comes out...

His own classes and reading service off his website are craycray expensive. You can get a legit industry note for a hundred bucks if you hunt diligently. But here, in this book, you get your money worth.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book won't write the screenplay for you, but it can do pretty much everything but that. I've always wanted to enter the screenwriting field, but I've always been fearful of the different formats and expectations from fiction. Trottier's Screenwriter's Bible will explain every single one of these details. If I let fear hold me back now, I can't blame it on ignorance. Every aspect of a screenwriting career is covered in this lengthy volume. It is a giant, unwieldy thing, but what do you expect with something that has "bible" in the title? Everything, from developing an idea, to formatting the script, to types of scripts, to studio expectations, to marketing and finding a home for your script is covered.

In a constantly changing field, some information is now a bit out of date from the edition I read (email is somewhat dismissed as means of communication, for instance). Fortunately, the book also includes the website connected to the Screenwriter's Bible, so updated information is always available. Whether you are a student writer hoping to enter the field, or an experienced writer hoping to transition into it, this book is indispensable.

[Laurie Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Trottier's book, The Screenwriter's Bible, is a must have for anyone who wants to write a solid screenplay. With everything from the basics of storytelling and character development to how to revise to a workbook with exercises for writer's block, this manuscript will set even beginners on the perfect course. After writing several screenplays that I had yet to send out, I bought it primarily for the the formatting guides. Even though I'd been using Final Draft I had several questions about the exact spacing of words in slug lines and what the overall appearance of either a paper submitted or electronically submitted screenplay. As a novelist and short story writer I discovered long ago that a simple formatting mistake can lead to rejection. Trottier also gives great tips on when one can break the rules and the difference between formatting TV and film scripts.
In addition to wonderful writing tips, David Trottier gives excellent advice on how one should protect, sell, and prepare a manuscript. This includes how to schedule ones self and some popular venues today.
The Screenwriter's Bible: a book that should be on every screenwriter's shelf.

[Kaye Bewley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one fantastic book. It is written in easy style and formatted logically so college students and embarking on a career in the trade of writing for screen can learn everything they need to know - and I mean everything!

Thankfully, it also applies to those who are well-versed in the business of writing stories that are to be made into movies. You can use it as a 'primer' or reminder, a useful book to dip into when you need a memory jogger.

Divided into five parts it takes you through the steps from writing your screenplay, getting ideas for your story, proper formatting techniques and style - and that all-important element: selling it to the Hollywood system!

Couldn't rate it highly enough.

[Kermet Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to screenwriting? This book was the main source for my Introduction to Screenwriting course at Indiana University - Indianapolis. I wrote a feature length screenplay about special needs superheroes using this book and Christopher Vogler's "The Writer's Journey" (as well as notes from my professor and classmates) during this one semester and, as only my 2nd feature length screenplay, it landed me in the semi-finals of Coverage Ink's 2007 Writer's on the Storm contest (top 50 of 1K+). Both format and structure, it teaches readers the basics of creating a screenplay. I recommend it to every new beginner.

[John Thorndike · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did not live up to its hype. It parades as a helpful guide for screenwriters looking for an agent or management company. In fact, it's a giant list of names and addresses, with occasional one-line explanations of whether the agency is looking for new material or not, and even rarer one-line notations on what kind of material they're looking for. There's no table of contents, no index, almost no help at all for a screenwriter trying to match his or her work with an agency. It's a compilation of names, not a guide.

[Jordan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for my screen writing class. It does a really good job at providing examples and taking you step by step of how to scribe a good screenplay. It’s simple without dumbing things down and doesn’t over complicate and provides good writing exercises. I kept it after the class was over in case I wanted to do more screenwriting in the future.

[iris the dead flower · Rating 4 out of 5]

he would randomly get a little sexist with it like ok jumpscare. anyway yeah i understand why this would be considered an industry standard this is huge. enjoyed it even though it took me forever to finish it! like guysss the humiliation of going to my school library week after week like uhmmm can i keep this one more week please ☝️

[Luke Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my textbook for a graduate course in screenwriting. Its organization is a bit confusing, but most of the information is on point. Especially useful are the sections on treatments and screenplay formatting.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very helpful book. I learned so much.

It was fun too. Most of the book is about story, not scriptwriting, but the characters and plots are lifted from films. I have a sense now of a feedback loop, how viewing the story from an eventual script can enhance an original novel.

[Bibiana Krall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I was looking for and so helpful for anyone writing for TV or film.

Love the quick reference pages with real-life examples. My blockbuster screenplay is still a work in progress, but with this book on my favorite shelf, I know that I am headed in the right direction.