Could It Be a Movie?: How to Get Your Ideas from Out of Your Head and Up on the Screen

As Christina Hamlett makes us aware in the very first pages of Could it be a Movie, technology has made it cheaper and easier for anybody with an idea to write a screenplay and get it made, and because so it is possible that everybody knows somebody who wants to be a screenwriter. But with the glut of "How To..." books on the market, how does one decide which is the best to guide them through the difficult process? Most screenwriting books are competent at laying out the nuts and bolts and technical jargon of screenwriting, but Christina Hamlett's Could it be a Movie takes it one step further, not only laying out the essentials and technical aspects of story and structure, but doing so with prose and eloquence that continues to encourage, nurture and cultivate not only the process of writing the screenplay but of conceiving and exploring ideas. From the very first page to the last, Christina let's us know that writing is a passion, and her passion for writing--and writers--is clear in every encouraging chapter, paragraph and example throughout, all of which are presented in a casual tone that demystifies and eliminates the fear of screenwriting, both the process and the business. If you are a beginning writer, Could it be a Movie is definitely the first book you should pick up, and then pick up again and again. If you are a veteran of the trade looking for fresh, encouraging insight, Could it be will remind you of hopefully why you started writing in the first place: for simply the passion, joy and excitement of writing. This is more than a "How to..." book, it is a "How to and enjoy Screenwriting," guide, which is the most important aspect of storytelling.

I have found that this is a new and wonderfully comprehensive, yet elaborately detailed book written by Christina Hamlett that takes the most honest approach to screenwriting, and I highly recommend this book, not only to new and novice writers, but for seasoned, veteran writers who could do with a little refresher course in the art of screenwriting. Ms. Hamlett takes you step by step through the entire process of screenwriting and beyond, from putting your ideas down on paper all the way to finding the perfect niche for your artistry. There is an invaluable wealth of knowledge contained in this book written by one of the most well-respected and foremost authorities in the entertainment industry. The advice contained in this book will help you structure your story, self-identify problem areas, improve your hook, strengthen your overall concept, aid in recognizing target audiences, walk you through marketing and promoting your materials to directors, producers, film and production companies, managers, and agents, and help you decide whom will work best for you and your needs. In addition, this book will give you a clear and concise understanding of how the industry really works from a real-working, productive, and successful screenwriter, not just someone who teaches about it! She answers all the questions you haven't even begun to ask yourself yet. Beginners aren't the only ones who make mistakes, but certainly, Ms. Hamlett lends common sense ideals that are often overlooked or ignored by even the most successful of screenwriters today. In my opinion, "Could It Be A Movie" is a must-have for all screenwriters!

This gem of a book gave huge quantities of great information for all of us "wanna be" novelists and screenwriters in a very readable, humorous way. More than once, I had to put the book down to laugh out loud. More importantly, it inspired me to shake the dust of the three novels I have begun and to work again in ernest. A "must read" for all writing groups, Christina Hamlett is a treasure! Peggy Sugarman

When we were kids, it seemed every book started out with "once upon a time"...then we discovered movies & plays...and if we thought we were blessed with a talent for writing, we've often thought that we could pen a best-selling book or a blockbuster movie. As a script consultant and producer, it's amazing how many writers automatically think their story deserves to be up there on the silver screen! Well, now we have Christina Hamlett's book, COULD IT BE A MOVIE? to help writers in sorting out their stories for the most appropriate medium -- or as Ms. Hamlett puts it, "Stage, Page or Cinema" But the beauty of this book is that it goes beyond the question of "could it be a movie" and is chocked full of all kinds of much-needed advice and actual writing exercises which will provide all of us scribes with information that can make the creative process a much smoother ride and a more pleasurable journey!

Each year, thousands upon thousands of screenplays reach the desks of harried and overworked Hollywood agents, managers and producers. Perhaps only 10% of these screenplays, if that many, will ever get more than one read-through. Fewer still will be purchased, and fewer than that will ever make it to the big screen. Still, the screenplays keep arriving... Christina Hamlett's book "Could It Be A Movie?" helps make things a little easier for aspiring writers by providing informative interviews, insider stories, hands-on exercises and industry insight that can help writers determine if their idea has the legs to make it as a marketable script. By starting with the concept itself, the author, a highly respected script coverage consultant, shows the reader how to first decide whether the concept should be a movie, a book, a stage play, or maybe even just a magazine article. Once the idea is shaped and expanded into something that could be called a "movie," then the real work begins of turning it into a saleable commodity that Hollywood Greenlighters will want to get their hands on. The material in this comprehensive how-to guide covers everything from turning a concept into a three-act story with the proper structure, thinking from the audience's viewpoint, deciding if the concept should be a short script or a full-blown spec, coming to terms with the necessity of rewriting (and rewriting and rewriting!), creating believable dialogue, and keeping the writing tight and the action moving the story forward at all times. Also, in the section titled WINNING THEM OVER, Hamlett covers the basics of approaching agents, producers and even independent markets, as well as the vast and growing body of screenwriting contests. She also discusses adapting material from other mediums, Writer's Guild minimums, protecting your work before you send it "out there," and working with professional script consultants to sharpen your work to perfection. This is one of the few screenwriting books that really covers all the basics, yet also delves deeply into some of the more serious topics that may come up for writers, such as honing and perfecting your craft before you begin marketing, and understanding the technical aspects of good storytelling. I really enjoyed the interviews with industry insiders such as Peggy Patrick of Shapiro-Lichtman and screenwriter John Collee; the screenplay samples showing dialog and action do's and don'ts; and the exercises in each chapter that provide the reader with an opportunity for some real hands-on, interactive learning as they read along. Reading "Could It Be A Movie?" is almost like taking a screenwriting class and will appeal to those readers who actually like to "test drive" what they are reading. It is hard enough to come up with a good idea, even harder still to turn it into 120 pages or less of pure, marketable dynamite. But with books like this to serve as wonderful and inspiring how-to guides, any writer can make that big box