[**] ISBN: 9780312312602
This is on my 'read' shelf. But I didn't finish it. I just stopped reading it. I suppose I might, under the right circumstances, make it to the end. It would be sort of like watching a silly television episode. This time, I was not in the correct mood, I was looking for an actual book with an actual story.
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Friday, May 02, 2008
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Crafty Screenwriting: Writing Movies That Get Made (Alex Epstein)
[****] ISBN: 9780805069921
If this isn't the first book you read about writing a script, it ought to be the second. The author has very pointed and practical advice about all of the phases of the process of getting a script actually made into a movie. He starts with the concept (the hook) and follows it all the way through to the rewrite and then shopping it around. Every step focuses on making sure that the script you have will capture the attention of a producer that will pay money to make it.
If this isn't the first book you read about writing a script, it ought to be the second. The author has very pointed and practical advice about all of the phases of the process of getting a script actually made into a movie. He starts with the concept (the hook) and follows it all the way through to the rewrite and then shopping it around. Every step focuses on making sure that the script you have will capture the attention of a producer that will pay money to make it.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film (Charles Lippincott)
[****] ISBN: 9780345477613
This is an amazing book documenting the amazing story of an amazing film. The big revelation for me was that George Lucas really didn't have the whole story of all of the episodes mapped out before he began the process of making the film (which is what SW lore would have you believe). Amazingly, he didn't even have the entire plot of this first film mapped out until after he started shooting (something that is not that uncommon, but I did not really comprehend) and didn't really finish it off until the end. I think I learned more about story development from following this saga than from reading any other texts on how to do it.
This is an amazing book documenting the amazing story of an amazing film. The big revelation for me was that George Lucas really didn't have the whole story of all of the episodes mapped out before he began the process of making the film (which is what SW lore would have you believe). Amazingly, he didn't even have the entire plot of this first film mapped out until after he started shooting (something that is not that uncommon, but I did not really comprehend) and didn't really finish it off until the end. I think I learned more about story development from following this saga than from reading any other texts on how to do it.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
It's Good to Be the King: The Seriously Funny Life of Mel Brooks (James Robert Parish)
[****] ISBN: 9780471752677
I didn't realize that Mel Brooks took his work quite so seriously. I also didn't know how hard he had to work to break into show business. I suppose I should have. Most entertainers are only overnight sensations after they put in years of hard work and paying dues.
I learned a few things about screenwriting and writing comedy, in particular. After writing a script in 30 days myself, working mornings and weekends, I thought someone that devoted full time to it would be able to knock one out in a few months. This especially seemed true of Mel Brooks movies, which seem so unrehearsed at times. But no, he took years to write most of them. And he usually did it with a writing partner or two. Comedy is probably easier to write when you have another sense of humor around to fill in your blind spots.
The biographer himself found a good structure for Mel's story and usually writes well. The text is full of attributions, but doesn't come off as a dry academic exercise. The one disappointing spot I found was the very sparse treatment given to developing Blazing Saddles. This is especially puzzling given the importance of this work in bringing Mel into the national spotlight. No matter, I recommend this to anyone that wants to learn more about this great talent.
I didn't realize that Mel Brooks took his work quite so seriously. I also didn't know how hard he had to work to break into show business. I suppose I should have. Most entertainers are only overnight sensations after they put in years of hard work and paying dues.
I learned a few things about screenwriting and writing comedy, in particular. After writing a script in 30 days myself, working mornings and weekends, I thought someone that devoted full time to it would be able to knock one out in a few months. This especially seemed true of Mel Brooks movies, which seem so unrehearsed at times. But no, he took years to write most of them. And he usually did it with a writing partner or two. Comedy is probably easier to write when you have another sense of humor around to fill in your blind spots.
The biographer himself found a good structure for Mel's story and usually writes well. The text is full of attributions, but doesn't come off as a dry academic exercise. The one disappointing spot I found was the very sparse treatment given to developing Blazing Saddles. This is especially puzzling given the importance of this work in bringing Mel into the national spotlight. No matter, I recommend this to anyone that wants to learn more about this great talent.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Oscar-Winning Screenwriters on Screenwriting (Joel Engel)
[***] ISBN: 9780786886906
This book gives some insight into the grit, heart and soul of writing for film. Mr. Engel interviewed 11 Oscar-winning writers about their craft and edited the result into 11 monologues that often provide zesty insight into the life of a screenwriter. A common lament is the lack of recognition that the writers get in the industry (and by film fans). A common bond is the love of storytelling. Here and there the reader can also pick up some tips on how to write and sell a good script.
This book gives some insight into the grit, heart and soul of writing for film. Mr. Engel interviewed 11 Oscar-winning writers about their craft and edited the result into 11 monologues that often provide zesty insight into the life of a screenwriter. A common lament is the lack of recognition that the writers get in the industry (and by film fans). A common bond is the love of storytelling. Here and there the reader can also pick up some tips on how to write and sell a good script.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting (Syd Field)
[****] ISBN: 9780385289153
This book is very solid stuff. It's exactly what someone (like me) getting started writing screenplays needs in order to get started and not fly off in the wrong direction. Syd tells you about structure. He tells you about character. He tells you about emotion. This book even gives you a peek at what it will take to market your screenplay (except I haven't read that section because I'm doing Script Frenzy and needed to do more writing). There's a reason why this book is almost always mentioned as a resource to people that want to write for film. I will probably have to get a (more up-to-date) copy of this for my writing bookshelf.
This book is very solid stuff. It's exactly what someone (like me) getting started writing screenplays needs in order to get started and not fly off in the wrong direction. Syd tells you about structure. He tells you about character. He tells you about emotion. This book even gives you a peek at what it will take to market your screenplay (except I haven't read that section because I'm doing Script Frenzy and needed to do more writing). There's a reason why this book is almost always mentioned as a resource to people that want to write for film. I will probably have to get a (more up-to-date) copy of this for my writing bookshelf.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Screenwriting for Hollywood (Michael Hauge)
[***] ISBN: 9781880717608 (audio only)
These are three hours of highlights of a seminar that Mr. Hauge gives over the course of a weekend. It's a fabulous jumpstart for someone that wants to understand how to write a script. It's not quite as invaluable as a good book on screenwriting (like Syd Field's). But it's well worth a listen and easier to access while commuting to work.
These are three hours of highlights of a seminar that Mr. Hauge gives over the course of a weekend. It's a fabulous jumpstart for someone that wants to understand how to write a script. It's not quite as invaluable as a good book on screenwriting (like Syd Field's). But it's well worth a listen and easier to access while commuting to work.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Incredible Journey (Sheila Burnford)
[***] ISBN: 0385322798
I've actually given this one more star than I really got out of it. That's because I can tell it's a good book. It just didn't do anything for me at this point in time. I like reading more junior material from time to time. And I got this one thinking it would be good research for a story I was considering in about the same genre. But I've put that project on the back burner and the story didn't otherwise click with me.
The animals are genuine characters, even though they don't talk. The situations are realistic, interesting, exciting and well told. I think where the author lost me was on the overall motivation of the animals to just take off on the journey. That may be part of the realism--how do you really know what an animal is thinking? But it made it hard for me to stick with it. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime.
I've actually given this one more star than I really got out of it. That's because I can tell it's a good book. It just didn't do anything for me at this point in time. I like reading more junior material from time to time. And I got this one thinking it would be good research for a story I was considering in about the same genre. But I've put that project on the back burner and the story didn't otherwise click with me.
The animals are genuine characters, even though they don't talk. The situations are realistic, interesting, exciting and well told. I think where the author lost me was on the overall motivation of the animals to just take off on the journey. That may be part of the realism--how do you really know what an animal is thinking? But it made it hard for me to stick with it. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
A Day With Wilbur Robinson (William Joyce)
[***] ISBN: 9780060229672
Saw the film (Meet the Robinsons); had to read the book, even though it's a slim volume for young children (ages 4-8). It's easy to see why someone thought this was charming. But it also must have been a chore adding a real story to what is essentially just a collection of humorous vignettes. Apparently, there is a second edition that adds a few more scenes, but is still not exactly what is in the film. Fun!
Saw the film (Meet the Robinsons); had to read the book, even though it's a slim volume for young children (ages 4-8). It's easy to see why someone thought this was charming. But it also must have been a chore adding a real story to what is essentially just a collection of humorous vignettes. Apparently, there is a second edition that adds a few more scenes, but is still not exactly what is in the film. Fun!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Men In Black (Steve Perry)
[**]
I often like film novelizations. Done well, they open up the interior life of the characters that is largely invisible on film. Like most things, the quality can be hit or miss. This is a miss. Rather than use the opportunity of the written words to drive deeper into the characters, revealing their thoughts and capturing their motivations (well, he does try), the author mostly attempts to capture the humor of the movie. The trouble is, much of the movie humor was visual. That does not often translate well into prose.
A few things work. I liked some of what he did with the inner life of the bug (Edgar). But much of the alien vocabulary was too obviously just throw away. He captures a little of the playful banter between Jay and Kay. Even this sometimes comes off a little forced.
It's not like I wish I had a flashy thing to erase my memories of the book. I will have to watch the movie a couple of times, though, to write over those memories with the better stuff.
I often like film novelizations. Done well, they open up the interior life of the characters that is largely invisible on film. Like most things, the quality can be hit or miss. This is a miss. Rather than use the opportunity of the written words to drive deeper into the characters, revealing their thoughts and capturing their motivations (well, he does try), the author mostly attempts to capture the humor of the movie. The trouble is, much of the movie humor was visual. That does not often translate well into prose.
A few things work. I liked some of what he did with the inner life of the bug (Edgar). But much of the alien vocabulary was too obviously just throw away. He captures a little of the playful banter between Jay and Kay. Even this sometimes comes off a little forced.
It's not like I wish I had a flashy thing to erase my memories of the book. I will have to watch the movie a couple of times, though, to write over those memories with the better stuff.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
King Kong (Delos W. Lovelace)
[****]
During a busy time, I managed to squeeze in a read of the original novelization of the original King Kong movie. The main attribution is to Delos W. Lovelace, but apparently there was ample input from Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace. Very fun. A few extra details and slight divergence from the film, but good to read. The best parts, though, were the Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz and the Introduction by Greg Bear. It made me go out and get Mark's book about Cooper, which I review later.
During a busy time, I managed to squeeze in a read of the original novelization of the original King Kong movie. The main attribution is to Delos W. Lovelace, but apparently there was ample input from Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace. Very fun. A few extra details and slight divergence from the film, but good to read. The best parts, though, were the Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz and the Introduction by Greg Bear. It made me go out and get Mark's book about Cooper, which I review later.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Christine (Stephen King)
[***]
I had not been that attracted to Mr. King's novels before. Horror is not really my thing. But now that I've seen some of the more interesting films based on his stories (like The Green Mile and The Secret Garden) and I read his On Writing, I thought I should read one of his actual novels and see what the hubbub was about.
I did like the book (better than the movie of the same name). I'm still not sure if I can become a dyed-in-the-wool Stephen King fan. I have a later book, From a Buick 8 waiting for a future read. I guess I'll know better after that. I do think I learned a bit about storytelling from reading this book and can relate better to what he says about his craft in On Writing.
I had not been that attracted to Mr. King's novels before. Horror is not really my thing. But now that I've seen some of the more interesting films based on his stories (like The Green Mile and The Secret Garden) and I read his On Writing, I thought I should read one of his actual novels and see what the hubbub was about.
I did like the book (better than the movie of the same name). I'm still not sure if I can become a dyed-in-the-wool Stephen King fan. I have a later book, From a Buick 8 waiting for a future read. I guess I'll know better after that. I do think I learned a bit about storytelling from reading this book and can relate better to what he says about his craft in On Writing.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (Matthew Woodring Stover)
[***]
You can see the George Lucas film of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and be totally confused about how and why Anakin gave himself over to the dark side. Or you can read the novelisation by Matthew Stover and get it. I had not previously heard of this author, but I think he's done the best job I've yet seen of translating these iconic characters into real people with real feelings and real conflicts (as much as one can think of anything in the Star Wars universe as 'real'). This is yet further evidence that George Lucas can't write.
You can see the George Lucas film of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and be totally confused about how and why Anakin gave himself over to the dark side. Or you can read the novelisation by Matthew Stover and get it. I had not previously heard of this author, but I think he's done the best job I've yet seen of translating these iconic characters into real people with real feelings and real conflicts (as much as one can think of anything in the Star Wars universe as 'real'). This is yet further evidence that George Lucas can't write.
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