Building Conflict and Tension on Your Film Script....

Every screenplay needs an attention-grabbing beginning and a satisfying ending, but those elements are nothing without a strong, well-crafted middle.

The second act is where most of the action is: where your characters grow, change and overcome the obstacles that will bring them to the resolution at the end of the story. Naturally, it’s also the hardest act to write and where most screenplays tend to lose momentum and focus.

Author Michael Halperin helps you slay the dragon with Writing the Second Act, designed especially for helping screenwriters through that crucial 60-page stretch. Structural elements and plot devices are discussed in detail, as well as how to keep the action moving and the characters evolving while keeping the audience completely absorbed in and entertained by your story.

What people say:

"Writing the Second Act focuses on the need for something truly effective between an attention-grabbing beginning and a satisfying ending. The middle section of any story represents the most critical and difficult section of a scripted story. That's where Michael Halperin's expertise, experience, and advice will prove indispensable for the novice writer of plays or film scripts. His particular focus on how structure and plot push the action forward and support the evolution of the characters, all while keeping the audience engaged and involved with the presented story. Writing the Second Act is a highly recommended, invaluable addition to professional reference screen writing 'how to' reference collections." — Mid-West Book Review

"Michael Halperin's second work on screenwriting is a welcome event. No screenplay writer, director, film executive or college instructor should miss the opportunity to study this remarkable book on the most crucial element of film structure. His insights and deep knowledge of the subject illuminates this most dreaded part of screenwriting: the second act. I can't think of another book published in the past decade that deals so succinctly and wisely with this difficult and delicate subject, that explains the pitfalls and the dangers filmmakers encounter in the process of writing and directing." — George Kaczender, Director

"If you want to be a success in movies, you'd better buy this book. And I don't even get a percentage." — Graham Masterton, Novelist and author: The Chosen Child, Spirit, Black Angel

"Halperin's brilliant research and revelations of the second act and its positive and negative effects on screenplays is a must-read for both new and mature writers." — Howard G. Minsky, Producer: Love Story and former theatrical agent with the William Morris Agency

"A must-have tool for beginning writers. A valuable reminder for professionals. I really enjoyed reading it so much that I went back to rewrite some of my old scripts!" — Lynn Roth, Executive Producer: The Paper Chase (Showtime)

About the Author:

Michael Halperin worked on staff at Universal and was Executive Story Consultant at 20th Century-Fox Television. His writing credits include numerous long-running television shows. Halperin teaches screenwriting and broadcasting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He holds a BA Degree in Communications and a Ph.D. in Film Studies.