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You Are Here: creation process: writing: scriptwriting books: Plots and Characters
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Plots and Characters
author:Millard Kaufman
price: $19.96
BUY IT ON AMAZON.COM |
I think the reason I didn't like this book as much as some of the other readers is that I was looking for a book on the 'how-tos' of screenwriting, and as one of the main reviews on this page indicates, this book has been hyped as setting a "new standard in screenwriting instruction." It doesn't. It's more accurate to say that the book is Millard Kaufman's memoir of working in the Hollywood studio system, leavened with occasional generalities about writing. Not that these generalities aren't valuable, but it takes Kaufman *more than 100 pages* to start talking about the art of writing. That isn't what you want or expect from an "instructional" book.
Also, anyone with a writing background will disagree with many of Kaufman's generalities. He says that one should never ask for a critique of one's work from another writer, because of, among other things, other writers' jealousy of good work. The *day after* I read that, I met with a fellow playwright who gave me two hours of insightful critique on a play I'd just completed. In another place, Kaufman says, "Readers are only conscious of seeing words on a page when the narrative is so boring or so confused that you can't picture it." I can think of James Baldwin and others as counterexamples.
The point is that when you start questioning Kaufman's generalities, he hasn't presented enough material about the craft of writing to make you trust the rest of the book. I can only recommend this book marginally, since some of the material may be useful if only because it reinforces what you've learned elsewhere. But this definitely should not be high on someone's list.
An absorbing, intelligent, funny and revealing book, which makes it a great read for writers as well as readers with no such aspirations. After reading the book I finally got free of any guilt feelings I had for liking "The Fugitive" so much. Thanks to "Plots" I now know what a superb scritpt is behind that film. I wish I could be so sure about any personal potential to ever match its excellence.
The only plots and characters in this book are Millard Kaufman's interminable diatribes about the entertainment industry over the past twenty to thirty years. An occasional unsuspecting tip managed to slip through a chapter or two, but quickly segued to the author's unrelatable escapades.
Based on the synopsis, I assumed this book was a "How To" book on writing. The title promises to aide the reader with plot and character development. This however was never realized. The gist of this book was so elusive, I came out of it completely empty handed. If I could have gotten past the first 100 pages, there might have been some useful information. However, my time is too precious to waste on such laborious textbook reading with no point.
I was extremely disappointed and felt the title "Plots and Characters" was completely misrepresentative of the actual content of the book. Instead, the title should have read "Plots and Characters, the autobiography of Millard Kaufman."
As a working screenwriter and WGA member, I'm dismayed to see the growing number of poor quality screenwriting books by authors who have little or no experience in the movie business and are simply trying to make a buck at the reader's expense. Millard Kaufman's wise, biting, funny, edgy book is a breathtaking exception to this sad trend. If you only have money to buy one screenwriting book, buy this one. If you have more money, buy two copies and give one to a friend. Kaufman knows his stuff from decades of working in the trenches. Buy it, read it, enjoy it, learn from it. You won't be sorry. [As a matter of disclosure, I know of Mr. Kaufman as a WGA board member, having seen him speak at meetings. I do not know him personally, however, nor does he know me.]
Reviews excerpted from: Amazon.com |
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