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You Are Here: creation process: writing: scriptwriting books: Screenwriting From The Heart
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Screenwriting From The Heart
author:James Ryan
price: $11.20
BUY IT ON AMAZON.COM |
The essential value of character-driven screenplays is demonstrated in this engaging, step-by-step approach to showing aspiring filmmakers, writers, and movie buffs how a script is created through the development of compelling characters. The author has condensed his popular workshops into a thought-provoking guide to vital screenwriting, with examples of his technique cited via such memorable, character-driven hits as Silence of the Lambs, The Crying Game, and Fargo. The book concludes with an original screenplay by the author, annotated with scene-by-scene, character-by-character commentaries.
James Ryan, founder of the Brass Tacks Screenwriting Workshop in New York, has written for film, television, and the theater, and recently wrote and directed his first independent film.
James Ryan's idea of writing from the heart reinforces confidence in the hearts of novice writers. As opposed to most of the other approaches which scare the novice showing that the writing process is an alien mechanism which has to be learnt from the seasoned Gurus or some institutions, rather than by intuition. Ryan demystifies the myth behind the writing process as, "there is nothing very abstract or academic about writing; it is an art form, yes, but first and foremost it is a craft." (pp. 5) While reading the first half of the book, this starting assurance has helped me to proceed further with enthusiasm. But, somewhere along the line, I found a question which was bothering me. That is, "How do you judge your own work whether you have achieved a genuine product of your heart or synthetic product of overflowing intellect, based on this approach?" I didn't find the answer to this question yet, but, this question is not meant as a complaint. James Ryan explains how the intangible creative flow from the heart can be triggered consciously by choosing an object. This exercise sounded very interesting and promising. Over all, this is a very useful book for both beginning writers and experienced writers.
One small comment I cant resist sharing with the co-readers and the author: On the one hand, Ryan advocates the ORIGINALITY that a writer can discover from his/her work, and on the other hand he tells us how there are already existing/fixed styles and types of films. This comes as a slight contradiction in the book: if every writer starts respecting his/her own originality, he/she can't stop it at the content only..it could eventually extend to inventing a new style or type!
I wrap up again summing up that this is a great book which gives a deep insight into the complex writing process without scaring the novice writer.. and to an experienced writer, it serves as a tool to re-examine if he/she is on the right track. This book shows us how we can control the final product, the screenplay by working on the central controlling element, the heart, just like how we can affect the external beauty of a plant by just feeding its roots. 'the heart.'
Let me first state that this is the first book I have read on the subject. This book definitely has some really helpful exercises and ideas to help a budding screenwriter, like myself. I am however disappointed in the writing; a major flaw in an instructional book about... writing.
The author seems somewhat self-important. He likes to use large or obscure words where smaller, more common ones would not only suffice, but would not only suffice, but would probably work better; I believe I have a good vocabulary, but had to dust off the dictionary to read this one. The book is also poorly researched. Two examples: in the introduction, mentioned "Hollywood films such as 'Operation Condor,'" a film from Hong Kong (obvious to anyone who has actually seen the film, since the dialog is dubbed); in a synopsis of the film "Pulp Fiction," the author totally butchers the timeline, and states that BUTCH (Bruce Willis) only briefly meets JULES and VINCENT (Jackson and Travlota respectively), neglecting to mention that BUTCH kills VINCENT while VINCENT is camped out waiting to kill BUTCH (the mention of this would defeat the argument he uses the story to demonstrate).
I must repeat that the book was helpful in several ways. I would imagine there are much better books on the subject, and recommend you seek those first.
At last, a book that makes sense and really gives you incredibly insights into the craft of screenwriting! Written by someone who is a professional screenwriter that teaches rather than a professional teacher. He's a professional playwright, screenwriter, and film director. Ryan's "field" knowledge of how to write a film bleeds through every page in this book. I read many of the books on screenwriting, Syd Fields, Linda Seger, "Alternative Scriptwriting"(couldn't understand a page of it), McKee's book (totally incomprehensible), only Lew Hunter's book has the clarity of Ryan's book, but Lew seems to be old Hollywood, and Ryan is new Indiewood. He shows you how to make films like American Beauty, Magnolia, Topsy Turvy, Fargo, Shine, Rushmore, etc., -- ones that win Academy Awards. Films that break the "rules" of the Hollywood formula -- the three act structure -- taught by everyone, it seems. He shows you that a film can be one, two, three, or ten acts, if you like. It all depends on your purpose and what you are trying to express.
Ryan recommends you start with your characters first. Create them, and then let them lead you to a story and a structure. When you write a script this way, you come up with more original, specific, and complex material -- scripts that will last the test of time (god, no book ever talks about that). He shows you how to free up your unconscious imagination in order to create great characters and stories -- ones that have a fresh perspective, that, as he says, "gets past the obvious choice." He gives really clever ways to create magnetic characters and to create a really good scene. And his advice on how to get your script noticed, how to use process, was completely honest and, again, so, so, clear.
I plan on visiting New York soon just to take his private workshop. I give this book a ten out of ten!
Reviews excerpted from: Amazon.com |
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