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alexandergrantwriter's review against another edition
5.0
~ I enjoyed this one!! ~
•
I started it last year but got busy with other reads and didn’t have a chance to go back and finish it till a week or two ago!
•
I’ll start off by saying that most of the critiques I see of this book I agree with (namely that he name drops movies like crazy, presents his movie opinions as indisputable facts, and although he sold many scripts, had two movies made that received horrible reviews saying his structures were fine but they were boring and lacking emotion)
•
However, I think a lot of people misinterpreted everything he was saying and every point he was trying to make. While he does present his rules as fact, he very clearly states at the beginning of the book and scattered throughout that he does expect you to break these rules and even encourages it!! He just wants you to know and recognize the rules inside and out so the breaking is conscious and purposeful as that is what will make it a good story that doesn’t alienate the audience. I think a lot of people came after him for having so many rules but they must have skipped over the part where he says he wants you to break them (just in a creative and conscious way).
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Although this is a screenwriting book, I as a novelist got a lot out of it and will definitely be referencing some of the fixing tools and beat sheets within! Even though this is fairly dated, I still recommend picking it up!! It’s a solid read! (Though probably not the last book you’ll ever need on screenwriting
•
I started it last year but got busy with other reads and didn’t have a chance to go back and finish it till a week or two ago!
•
I’ll start off by saying that most of the critiques I see of this book I agree with (namely that he name drops movies like crazy, presents his movie opinions as indisputable facts, and although he sold many scripts, had two movies made that received horrible reviews saying his structures were fine but they were boring and lacking emotion)
•
However, I think a lot of people misinterpreted everything he was saying and every point he was trying to make. While he does present his rules as fact, he very clearly states at the beginning of the book and scattered throughout that he does expect you to break these rules and even encourages it!! He just wants you to know and recognize the rules inside and out so the breaking is conscious and purposeful as that is what will make it a good story that doesn’t alienate the audience. I think a lot of people came after him for having so many rules but they must have skipped over the part where he says he wants you to break them (just in a creative and conscious way).
•
Although this is a screenwriting book, I as a novelist got a lot out of it and will definitely be referencing some of the fixing tools and beat sheets within! Even though this is fairly dated, I still recommend picking it up!! It’s a solid read! (Though probably not the last book you’ll ever need on screenwriting
hopegreen's review against another edition
4.0
a stubborn but strong manifesto of strict guidelines to craft a winning screenplay. outdated in places, but timeless in others — industry standards change, but the rules of structuring a great story endure.
henrismum's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Take away: With talk of Blockbuster Video and merely a mention of social media, the book is a bit dated. However, if you don't learn something from Snyder, you must already have an Oscar for "Best Original Screenplay".
Narration: George Newbern - good
Normal Speed- Accelerated Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series - Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Narration: George Newbern - good
Normal Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series - Non Series -
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
orsuros's review against another edition
5.0
This offers a great way to look at stories and writing from the viewpoints of both writing and what sells. I'd recommend to any writer, but it's geared toward screenwriters.
juliawitmer's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Great read for fiction writers as well as screenwriters! Good look at story and how it works overall.