Screen Play writing for all. Review on Screenwriting Tricks of the Trade - William Froug

Screen writing for wannabe filmmakers

We make the maximum films in the world. I am sure we make many more small and experimental films in India. Today every one has a camera. We only take just a few birthday shots or a travel monologue that is unedited and not worth a second watch. We also cover the marriage ceremonies from just one angle and that too becomes another boring experience. While watching these HOME MOVIES we suffer till THE END. We also appreciate the effort just to keep the host happy. We sure can do better – we need a good script for every filming we do. We need a plan, a road map.

The NAANI is missing

How many times a much hyped movie makes us buy expensive multiplex tickets and in the end it is below our expectations. I am talking here even some of Shah Rukh Khan Movies!! Most of our films leave a lot to be desired. We want more in terms of story and its treatment or do we need less at times? We frequently feel let down when we come out of it. A common feature in most of these films is a weak script.

A good script is back bone of good cinema. Remember how Naani used to tell us stories? At a crucial juncture she used to tell us that she will continue tomorrow as she is very sleepy!!! How we all used to protest!! Our TV programmes try to emulate Naani’s tricks by bringing in breaks! But the problem is they go overboard with that. Most of our movies lack that sort of twist that could keep it alive. Even if there is a twist it is........ soooo predictable that in the end it comes out dud.

Railway time table?

If you ever thought of making a movie (even a very short one) this book is a must buy. If your script looks like a railway timetable or if you have never written a script, then this book will help.

This book gives you all about how to reach the starting point. From there the race is yours. It is from an author (William Froug) who has done extensive research and tried to tell all in the shortest and simplest possible way.

Ideas are like……….

While checking profiles of some of the members I have noticed that quite a few of them are interested in making a movie. But how many have bought a book that sets them on that journey?

I also come across people (apart from mouthshut ) where they tell me that they want to make a film. I am sure many of them want to pursue it seriously. To make a film one has to have an idea. Everyone has got ideas....... but that idea may only last for a few seconds or minutes in terms of screen time. You need a script. Only when you start writing you realise if it is worth it or not. That is where this book is of very good value and offers a helping hand. The book in itself is not a complete document to make you from zero to hero but it is a road map. You will need other supporting material but from this book you know where to find that extra material. It tells you if you are doing the right thing or not.

Help is here.

Even if you do not write a screenplay this book will still help you understand a movie better. It is only a small book to read and the author has kept it interesting. William Froug has a long experience as a Hollywood professional and he is a highly respected screen writing teacher. He has taught a number of very well known Hollywood writers. He has taken many a new screen writers on an insight journey from their first urge to write through to the completion of scripts. As a teacher he knows the pit falls and tells how to avoid those. He tells you about Dos and Don’ts - once the script is ready and you are in the market. This book gives you insight into what exactly is needed in a script and what is to be avoided to give it a professional look. This practical guide leads each writer to discover his or her own style.

Part One

The book is in three major parts. First part deals with the Thinking about the script. The writer takes you through the thinking phase of a script where a theme evolves and takes shape to the actual writing where the nuts and bolts are assembled. Here the author deals with story, action and counter action, characterisation, scene development and plot. This book also takes into account non-experience of the reader in writing of a script.

Book gives you the tools with examples to make you understand what is to be done to make a good script for filming.

Part Two

The second part is about writing the script that talks about the pitfalls and mistakes. It talks about how the new (and not so new) screen writers tend to fall into a trap where they overlook some important aspects that could make a screenplay really catchy. It also gives a writer a wake up call and give his/her work a reality check.

Part Three

The most important part is the third part where he talks of how your final draft should look and how to approach the agents or even the readers who will be the potential buyers. It is this part that makes this book different from others in the similar books category. It tells us aspects that one should avoid – and thus give a professional look to your written work.

How many times we read that so and so screenplay was rejected by many directors till a producer made a masterpiece from it. What is that, that so many could not see in the screenplay that only one noticed? This book helps us make better cinema that is also interesting.

And finally

No book can be as good as I have said above!! This book also has its shortcomings. At some places it seems the author could have elaborated a bit more. Some of the descriptions leave us thirsty for more but these are just small flaws for an otherwise excellent book. Of course all examples are from english movies that most of us have not seen but have only heard about. There is no inspiration in the book from Salim Javed, so if you want to make Sholay or a Deewar - this book may not help you entirely.