About
the Book:
The acclaimed guide to writing and selling screenplays to today's
film and TV markets.
Whether you're an aspiring artist looking to break into the
business or a seasoned pro looking for tips to boost your skills,
Writing Screenplays That Sell is the most complete guide
available on the art, craft, and business of writing for movies and
television. In this concise, expert, and comprehensive manual,
Hollywood story editor and producer Michael Hauge walks you
through every step of writing (and selling) successful screenplays.
Reflecting the latest trends and scripts,
Writing Screenplays that Sell
includes insight and detailed information on:
• The Primary Goal of the Screenwriter;
• Finding and
selecting commercial story concepts;
• The five most common goals in Hollywood movies
• Guidelines for story structure
• Opening scenes that immediately grab the reader;
•
Artistry vs. Commerciality;
• Adapting Novels, Plays, and True
Stories;
• Why most adaptations fail;
• Ensuring
Character Identification;
• Charting the Screenplay;
•
Action, Description, and Dialogue;
• The most effective use of flashbacks
• Protecting Your
Material;
• Getting an Agent;
• The Four Paths to a
Deal;
• Writing Episodic TV Series;
• Tips for marketing a script – script consultants, script
competitions, pitch fests, virtual pitching, e-mail blasts, log-line
listings, and audio script readings;
• Living and Working
Outside Los Angeles; and
• The Life of a Screenwriter.
What people say:
"The most practical and best
single book on the subject." — Hollywood
Scriptwriter
"...When I pick up the phone
for help, Michael Hauge is the call I make."
— Shane Black,
screenwriter, director, producer
"There are five essential
books that every person who wants to write screenplays should read.
One of them is Writing Screenplays That Sell,
and the other four don't matter." — Terry Rossio,
Oscar
nominated Screenwriter
"The craftsman's blueprint for
anyone who is serious about writing or developing good screenplays."
— Roger Birnbaum, Producer and film industry executive
About the Author:
Michael Hauge is a screenplay consultant, screenwriter, and
independent producer who has worked in Hollywood for the past fifteen
years. He has taught screenwriting at UCLA, USC, and the American
Film Institute (AFI), and has presented his two-day intensive
screenwriting seminar to more than seven thousand writers and
producers throughout the United States, Canada, and England.