Hi,

Does anyone know of a decent book that covers all the basics of screenwriting? I'm looking for something that covers script format and style.

Cheers

Geoff

As far as I know, there is only one book worth getting for this, and that is 'Story' by Robert McKee. He is the grandaddy of all screenwriters, and the book is superb. Take on what he tells you and you can't go far wrong. Of course, he is a megalomaniac and a pretty scary guy, but his ideas are pure gold.

Darren

I recommend The Screenwriters Bible by Dave Trottier.

Cheers for that Darren and Elspeth. I'll check those two out.

Geoff

McKee is good to start with, but you could also try any of Linda Seger's books (Making a Good Script Great, Creating Unforgetable Characters), How to Write a Hot Script, by Elliot Grove or my personal favourite Alternative screenwriting: Writing Beyond the Rules by Ken Dancyger and Jeff Rush.

Those books won't give too much help on formatting, but you can download a free template from www.digiscript.com, and there's also some advice on formatting here: http://www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk/formatfilm.htm

Hope that helps!

L

Cynthia Whitcomb has an excellent book, I'm told by someone who read it enthusiastically, it's called "writing your screenplay." From what I heard her own story of continued patience getting published is quite something too.