Genre Screenwriting: How to Write Popular Screenplays That Sell

It's simple: 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 Screenwriting: 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.

Author: Stephen V. Duncan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 12/01/2008
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780826429933

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 12/15/2008 pg. 12
Library Journal 02/01/2009 pg. 77
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2009 pg. 282

About the Author
Stephen Duncan is an Associate Professor, and currently Chair of the Screenwriting Department, at Loyola Marymount University.