Writing for the Screen

Writing for the Screen is a collection of essays and interviews exploring the business of screenwriting. This highly accessible guide to working in film and television includes perspectives from industry insiders on topics such as breaking in; pitching; developing and nurturing business relationships; juggling multiple projects; and more. Writing for the Screen is an ideal companion to screenwriting and filmmaking classes, demystifying the industry and the role of the screenwriter with real-world narratives and little-known truths about the business. With insight from working professionals, you'll be armed with the information you need to pursue your career as a screenwriter.

• Contains essays by and interviews with screenwriting consultants, television writers, feature writers, writer-directors of independent film, producers, and professors.

• Offers expert opinions on how to get started, including preparing your elevator pitch, finding mentors, landing an internship, and moving from an internship to the next step in your career.

• Reveals details about taking meetings, what development executives are looking for in a screenwriter, how and when to approach a producer, and how to pitch.

• Explores strategies for doing creative work under pressure, finding your voice, choosing what to write, sticking with a project over the long haul, overcoming discrimination, and reinventing yourself as a writer.

• Illuminates the business of screenwriting in the United States (New York and Los Angeles) as compared to other countries around the globe, including England, Ireland, Peru, France, Australia, and Belgium.

  "This book answers all the hard questions every aspiring writer asks and the rest of the screenwriting manuals avoid. It's astonishing that this essential addition to every screenwriting library hasn't existed beforeand a cause for celebration that it finally does now." William Rabkin, Author of Writing the Pilot, Professor of Television Writing and Producing at Long Island University's TV Writers Studio "An essential book so accessible, so beautifully written, so encouraging and realistic and specific. It covers all the bases. Anyone contemplating a career as a screenwriter MUST read this book!" Dr. Linda Seger, Script Consultant, Author, Seminar Leader "Writing for the Screen is perhaps the most powerful book on 'making it' in screenwriting that I've read in years. It is feverishly real, with raw truths and unabashed encouragement. I love the book's kaleidoscopic portrait and its solid approaches to the unique challenges of succeeding as a screenwriter today." Dr. Pieter Aquilia, Head, Screenwriting, Australian Film Television & Radio School

  Autorentext

Anna Weinstein is a screenwriter and educator based in Atlanta. She works as a writer-for-hire to develop features and television series, and she is on the screenwriting faculty in the English Department at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches and mentors undergraduate and graduate students. Anna is the Founding Editor of the PERFORM: Succeeding as a Creative Professional book series.

Klappentext

Writing for the Screen is a collection of essays and interviews exploring the business of screenwriting. This highly accessible guide to working in film and television includes perspectives from industry insiders on topics such as breaking in; pitching; developing and nurturing business relationships; juggling multiple projects; and more. Writing for the Screen is an ideal companion to screenwriting and filmmaking classes, demystifying the industry and the role of the screenwriter with real-world narratives and little-known truths about the business. With insight from working professionals, you'll be armed with the information you need to pursue your career as a screenwriter. Contains essays by and interviews with screenwriting consultants, television writers, feature writers, writer-directors of independent film, producers, and professors. Offers expert opinions on how to get started, including preparing your elevator pitch, finding mentors, landing an internship, and moving from an internship to the next step in your career. Reveals details about taking meetings, what development executives are looking for in a screenwriter, how and when to approach a producer, and how to pitch. Explores strategies for doing creative work under pressure, finding your voice, choosing what to write, sticking with a project over the long haul, overcoming discrimination, and reinventing yourself as a writer. Illuminates the business of screenwriting in the United States (New York and Los Angeles) as compared to other countries around the globe, including England, Ireland, Peru, France, Australia, and Belgium.

Zusammenfassung

Writing for the Screen is a collection of essays and interviews exploring the business of screenwriting. This highly accessible guide to working in film and television includes perspectives from industry insiders on topics such as breaking in; pitching; developing and nurturing business relationships; juggling multiple projects; and more. Writing for the Screen is an ideal companion to screenwriting and filmmaking classes, demystifying the industry and the role of the screenwriter with real-world narratives and little-known truths about the business. With insight from working professionals, you'll be armed with the information you need to pursue your career as a screenwriter.

• Contains essays by and interviews with screenwriting consultants, television writers, feature writers, writer-directors of independent film, producers, and professors.

• Offers expert opinions on how to get started, including preparing your elevator pitch, finding mentors, landing an internship, and moving from an internship to the next step in your career.

• Reveals details about taking meetings, what development executives are looking for in a screenwriter, how and when to approach a producer, and how to pitch.

• Explores strategies for doing creative work under pressure, finding your voice, choosing what to write, sticking with a project over the long haul, overcoming discrimination, and reinventing yourself as a writer.

• Illuminates the business of screenwriting in the United States (New York and Los Angeles) as compared to other countries around the globe, including England, Ireland, Peru, France, Australia, and Belgium.

  Inhalt

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED

EXIT STRATEGIES

Preparing to Leave School and Begin Your Screenwriting Career

By Gabrielle Kelly

TEN ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

To Be an Active Hero in Your Career

By Jen Grisanti

IMPRESSING THE DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

By Trai Cartwright

WRITING FOR TELEVISION

What It Takes

An Interview With Fern Field Brooks

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

Notes From the Screenwriting Guru

An Interview With Erik Bork

FROM WRITER'S ASSISTANT TO SHOWRUNNER

Interning, Knocking on Doors, and Making Connections

An Interview With Stacy A. Littlejohn

CHAPTER 2: STICKING IT OUT

THE SCREENWRITER'S JOURNEY

By Pat Verducci

WHAT IS A PITCH?

And Why and How Do You Do It?

By Joshua Malkin

BUILDING A SCREENWRITING CAREER

Advice From the Entertainment Career Coach

An Interview With Carole Kirschner

A SCRIPT READER'S PERSPECTIVE

How to Love What You Do When You Can't Do What You Love

By James Napoli

THE ART OF DISCIPLINE AND PERSISTENCE

Moving Toward Creative Success

An Interview With Anne Fontaine

A VETERAN PRODUCER'S TAKE ON SCREENWRITING

An Interview With Bruce Gilbert

By Chuck Erven

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

How to Find the Positive

By Hugo Van Laere

CHAPTER 3: FINDING SUCCESS

BUILDING YOUR TEAM

Insights From the Screenwriting Consultant

An Interview With Linda Seger

INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING

Working With an Independent Film Producer

An Interview With Mary Jane Skalski

DECIDING WHAT TO WRIT…