We always hear about the most popular Screenwriting books. From masters of the craft such as Syd Field and Blake Snyder through to teacher gurus – from Aristotle to Robert McKee.
But what about the unsung heroes behind mastering the craft of Screenwriting? The authors that deserve the same recognition are often left out.
Most filmmakers and Screenwriters have read the same books that appear among the lists of ‘The Most Popular Screenwriting books.’
These Books Include But Are Not Limited To:
- Save The Cat by Blake Snyder
- Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting’ by Syd Field
- Story: Substance, Structure and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
- The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structures for Writers by Christopher Vogler
- Aristotle’s Poetics by Stephen Halliwell
Most filmmakers know or have followed Syd Field’s Paradigm of the Three-Act Structure for constructing the screenplay. Or Christopher Vogler’s take on The Hero’s Journey originally penned from Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces for structuring the protagonist’s pathway. Whichever popular structure or journey arc, reading a wider range of Screenwriting books can help open the Screenwriter’s mind to different ideas, structures and writing methods.
The books in the list below cover the process of Screenwriting from what to do before writing a screenplay in the planning stages to the different types of structures to use. They also cover what to do once the screenplay has been written from treatments, outlines and delving into the first-hand experience as a working screenwriter in Hollywood.
Here are five examples of alternative Screenwriting books every screenwriter and filmmaker needs to read.
1. The Art & Science of Screenwriting (Philip Parker):
Philip Parker discusses the idea of a Creative Matrix as a means to analyse a screenplay. The Creative Matrix covers the different elements which make up a Screenplay, including plot, themes, and the different types of structure (e.g., Linear, Episodic and Circular etc.). The book covers the different genres and types of styles.
He also opens up about the important steps to follow leading up to writing a screenplay:
- Carefully plotting the premise.
- Developing the treatment and outline to suit the varied screenplay formats, depending on whether you are writing for TV or Film.
- The importance of the ‘Idea’ is foregrounded – from researching your characters to building from real life.
Parker goes in-depth behind Characterisation – ranging from developing the Protagonist and Antagonist to Character Archetypes.
Overall, the book is a great addition to any Screenwriter’s library and manages to cover as many aspects as possible of the Screenwriter’s Craft.
2. The Nutshell Technique (Jill Chamberlain):
Jill Chamberlain promises to ‘crack the secret of successful Screenwriting.’
The Nutshell Technique is explored through the genres, such as Comedy and Tragedy. The Nutshell Technique is explained through a step-by-step process.
Along with diagrams, The Nutshell Technique is analysed through some of the most popular Screenplays, including Classics – Casablanca and Chinatown to more modern masterpieces – The Born Identity and Dallas Buyers Club.
There is also a section covering unconventional elements, including how to use the process through other forms, for example, through a non-linear screenplay structure.
Here is a video of Jill Chamberlain discussing the 8 important elements that make The Nutshell Technique:
3. The Guide For Every Screenwriter (Geoffrey D. Calhoun):
A great little book for on-the-go reading. Although a very short book consisting of 117 pages, it manages to cover many aspects of the Screenwriting craft within summary form.
The Guide Covers Advice On:
- Loglines
- Themes
- Character Conflict
And it breaks down popular Screenplay structures from the nine-point outline to the three-act structure. It also provides helpful tips on different screenplay formats, including the correct way to write montage sequences.
The guide ends on other important elements to think about post-screenplay, including rewrites and treatments to network building. The book has clearly been well-researched and includes useful references and a bibliography to check out some useful additional Screenwriting texts and resources.
4. The Coffee Break Screenwriter: Breaks The Rules (Pilar Alessandra):
Another book great to use as a traveling companion, just small and light enough to go to work with. This guide works with ‘Rules’ – offering advice on ‘What to do’ and ‘What not to do’ regarding popular Screenwriting myths, questions, and queries.
Pilar Alessandra manages to cover advice from the Screenwriting devices of Voiceovers and Flashbacks to the elements of the Screenwriter’s craft.
Elements of the Screenwriter’s Craft Covered In The Coffee Break Screenwriter:
- Character Arcs
- Dialogue
- Description
- Act Breaks
Along with additional rules on Screenplay Devices, Characters, and Structures.
Photo By: Hannah Taylor
5. Adventures In The Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood (William Goldman):
A different kind of book offered on this list is the memoir of a Hollywood Screenwriter and legend. Realistic advice penned from someone who has been there and done it all before.
This guide about surviving Hollywood is written by acclaimed novelist and screenwriter, William Goldman. Who has success with award-winning screenplays under his belt, some of which include, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969), All The President’s Men (1976) and The Princess Bride (1987) amongst other great screenplays written by Goldman.
Although written in 1983, the book still holds relevance today. Some things have stayed the same while others have changed in the busy world of Hollywood. William Goldman spills all about his influential career which spanned more than 20 years among the Hollywood elite.
Goldman covers his experience with the people who make up the movie process, including the important jobs of the cast and crew members, the Hollywood stars, Studio Executives, Directors, Producers and Agents.
Other advice surrounds the everyday life of surviving Hollywood from important meetings to the speed of which is expected of the writer when writing Screenplays to keep up with the demand of the Hollywood ways.
The book moves onto William Goldman’s own process and experience writing his 13 most popular screenplays. Goldman closes on a series of interviews with filmmakers in their specific roles with a Designer, Cinematographer, Director and many more, all detailing their varied experiences with surviving Hollywood.
In Summary:
Screenwriting books can range from ‘How-to guides’ on the craft, to memoirs where the Screenwriter shares their knowledge, skills, and experiences working within the industry. Some guides can be similar in their nature and structure, but most Screenwriting books will offer tips and advice or something new for the reader to take away.
Next time a Screenwriter chooses a book under the ‘Screenwriting’ category to read or tick off their reading list, consider a book that isn’t amongst one of the ‘most popular’ or read one which offers an alternative point of view. Nothing is more exciting than learning something new.
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Did You Know?
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Hannah is an English graduate and freelance writer. She enjoys writing short stories, fiction, screenplays, and blog posts. Her favourite category of films is the Horror genre, and you’ll always find her reading.
