Writing the Short Film

I don't understand why other reviewers were so negative about this book. I have found it pretty useful. It basically works on the premise of providing examples and setting exercises for readers to develop a script. The short films discussed are all extremely good and the exercises quite helpful. All in all, it is a well-organised 'crash course', which can be useful for self-study, and readers will be able to notice progression in their writing skills fairly soon. A good read. I definitely recommend it.

I had to write a note because the 2 previous reviewers were rather unfair. I've been reading the 2nd ed though and there may be some difference. I've certainly read my share of film books and numerous plays, how-to-write plays, and screen play writing books (Syd Field, Micheal Tierno, Michael Stracynski, etc.) I'm looking at them on my shelf at present. First of all, this book is NOT about writing Hollywood screenplays, the cover tells you that. Instead, it makes a number of good suggestions for other resources and in writing a short play I found it very useful because of these references and its short descriptions of the mockumentary and various approaches to conceptualizing visual stories. I also teach a filmmaking course for ESL students and this was a very useful book. It is not a how-to-nuts-and-bolts book however and I suppose this is why the other two reviewers slammed it. All I can say is look through a book carefully before you buy it. Greg