Fade in: The Screenwriting Process

Of all the books I read on screenwriting, I lovedFade In the best. It has become a bible for me. Berman is honest and modest. He tries and succeeds to be helpful. I feel like I have a mentor sitting beside me as I write. He changed my life.Instead of writing novels I have now turned to screenwriting because of this book. Berman lifts out his hand and pulls you up.

Okay, so the guy hasn't sold a script. I'll bet these other negative reviewers of this book haven't either. Here's why it is useful: I found its page formatting tips to be some of the easiest to follow for the novice screenwriter. Two words: EXAMPLES PROVIDED. The guy may be unqualified to give industry advice. So what. He gives the same basic advice as Syd Field and the others, which in no books is adequate, or else they would be winning Oscars, not writing how-to manuals.The second reason it is useful is as an object lesson. The guy's sample script is TERRIBLE! Any novice should read it to see what not to do, which is to follow a silly screenwriting book on matters of plot and character so as to make a bad high-concept McMovie.