This is the first true textbook for a course in screenwriting. Story Sense provides specific strategies for writing story, character, and script. A wealth of techniques are suggested so that screenwriters can select those that work best for them. The book has been conceived as a working manual for screenwriters and offers hands-on advice for solving the many problems that crop up as the work progresses. In addition, the book includes examples of script format, a glossary of film terms, the Writer's Guild's compensation terms, and such insider examples as a sample studio script evaluation form, a sample script analysis, a sample studio reader's questionnaire, and a sample re-write.
PART 1: WRITING THE STORY
CHAPTER 1: SELECTING AN IDEA FOR A FILM OR TELEVISION STORY
CHAPTER 2: EXPANDING THE STORY IDEA
CHAPTER 3: WRITING THE PLOT
PART 2: WRITING THE SCRIPT
CHAPTER 4: SCENE STRUCTURE AND THE BASIC DRAMATIC UNITS
CHAPTER 5: CREATING EMOTIONALLY DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS
CHAPTER 6: DIALOGUE AND CHARACTER
CHAPTER 7: DRAMATIZATION
CHAPTER 8: WRITING FOR THE CAMERA: VISUAL STORYTELLING
CHAPTER 9: WRITING STAGE DIRECTIONS
CHAPTER 10: SCRIPT FORMAT FOR FEATURE FILMS AND TELEVISION
CHAPTER 11: REWRITING
CHAPTER 12: CAREER COUNSELING FOR NEW SCREENWRITERS
APPENDIXES
Appendix A: Suggested Media to Illustrate Points Made in the Various Chapters
Appendix B: The Screenwriter's Reference Shell
Appendix C: Sequence Breakdown and Shot Numbers of The Verdict
Appendix D: Professional Version of the "Marry Me--or Else" Scene
Appendix E: Script Evaluation Forms
Appendix F: WGA TV Show List
Appendix G: WGA Minimum Basic Agreement, 1991-1994
Appendix H: Rewrite of Immigrant Scene Exercise in Chapter 13
Appendix I: Writer's Deal Memorandum