- 160 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
There are hundreds of books on the market, all trying to teach you how to write a screenplay. Several of them are excellent and useful books. But never - until now - has there been a screenwriting manual written in the form of a screenplay.
Our hero, the aspiring screenwriter Danny, is hopelessly in love with Bebe, a hot young starlet. But Bebe won't go out with Danny until he proves that he can write a brilliant screenplay for her. Helped along the way by a mysterious guide (Virgil) with seemingly magical powers, Danny travels to Screenwriting Hell to see what happens to writers who never make the grade. Virgil teaches him the tricks of the trade, the fundamental techniques that all screenwriters have to master, no matter how great their ideas. But there's something a little strange about Virgil, and Danny is never sure whether to trust him or not...
As well as the screenplay itself, the book includes an introduction explaining how to get the most out of the screenplay, the log line, the synopsis, character bios, the treatment, and "The Pitch" - a short scene that shows the author pitching his screenplay to a big-shot producer.
Our hero, the aspiring screenwriter Danny, is hopelessly in love with Bebe, a hot young starlet. But Bebe won't go out with Danny until he proves that he can write a brilliant screenplay for her. Helped along the way by a mysterious guide (Virgil) with seemingly magical powers, Danny travels to Screenwriting Hell to see what happens to writers who never make the grade. Virgil teaches him the tricks of the trade, the fundamental techniques that all screenwriters have to master, no matter how great their ideas. But there's something a little strange about Virgil, and Danny is never sure whether to trust him or not...
As well as the screenplay itself, the book includes an introduction explaining how to get the most out of the screenplay, the log line, the synopsis, character bios, the treatment, and "The Pitch" - a short scene that shows the author pitching his screenplay to a big-shot producer.
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Information
THE PITCH
an original screenplay
Contact:
Mark Evan Schwartz
Loyola Marymount University
School of Film & Television
One LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659
INT. SHOWER STALL ā MORNING
Pounding water. Steam swirls, misting the translucent stall, silhouetting someone mumbling.
SCREENWRITER
(to himself)
Okay, okay. Character, conflict, genre.
Character, conflict, genre. Got them down,
three key elements of the pitch. Character,
conflict, and genre . . .
Character, conflict, genre. Got them down,
three key elements of the pitch. Character,
conflict, and genre . . .
The showerās turned off.
INT. BATHROOM ā MORNING
A hand wipes across a clouded mirror, revealing the smudged reflection of a soaking wet
SCREENWRITER
In his mid-twenties. Hair plastered to his forehead, towel wrapped around his waist, he looks himself straight in the eye. A flicker of anxiety.
SCREENWRITER
So, uh, thereās this writer, see. He is a, you know,
a screenwriter. And he, heā
REFLECTION
Wait!
Screenwriter startles.
His REFLECTION suddenly takes on a life of its own, grimaces.
REFLECTION
Man, put a break on it.
Screenwriter, shaken, falls silent.
REFLECTION
First of all, I donāt see. Second of all, I donāt know. And third . . . Stop stammering! How am I supposed to buy into your story if you canāt even show confidence in yourself!?
SCREENWRITER
Well, thatās why Iām practicing my pitch.
REFLECTION
With me?
SCREENWRITER
With myself.
His reflection sarcastically chortles.
REFLECTION
Like myself is really gonna get caught up in all the unpredictable twists and turns of my story.
SCREENWRITER
Guess Iām not going to say anything I havenāt heard before, am I?
REFLECTION
Donāt miss a trick, do you?
Screenwriter rubs his chin. A moment of introspection.
REFLECTION
Thereās nothing wrong with going over it in front of a mirror. Good way to work on your appearance.
Screenwriter smoothes back his wet hair. Effects a cocky grin and swagger.
REFLECTION
But find someone fresh to the concept. Try it out on them, gauge their reactions.
INT. KITCHEN ā MORNING
A blood-curdling scream.
BABY
WHHHAAAA!!!!
Casually dressed in jeans and a nice shirt, the Screenwriter gestures enthusiastically.
SCREENWRITER
They turn! And find themselves surrounded by an army of salivating flesh-eating zombies!
Still in her robe, pretty in spite of disheveled hair and bags under her eyes, his WIFE struggles to spoon-feed their three month old colicky BABY, wailing in her highchair.
SCREENWRITER
Well? What do you think so far?
BABY
WHHHAAAAA!!!!
Wife manages a tired smile.
WIFE
Cute.
BABY
WHHHAAAAAA!!!!
SCREENWRITER
(taken aback)
Dudesāre about to be K-rationed for brunch. And you think itās cute?
WIFE
Because I think youāre cute.
She pats his cheek. Leaving a smear of applesauce on it as she leans over the baby with a bowl, to give her a spoonful.
BABY
WHHHAAAAAA!!!!
WIFE
You are too, precious wittle-muffie-puffie.
BABY
WHHHAAAAA!!!!
Baby smacks away her mommyās hand, sending the spoon and bowl flying. Applesauce splatters all over the wall and floor.
BABY
WHHHHAAAA!!!!
Wife smiles with determined delight.
WIFE
(ever sweet)
Such a good right hook!
Glaring at her husband, her smile crumbles into an exhausted frown.
WIFE
Thereās a case in the garage.
BABY
WHHHAAAA!!!!
On dazed autopilot, she plods out of the kitchen. The baby stops crying. Keeps her tiny voice low, yet urgent.
BABY
Before she gets back. Quick! Two of us need to huddle.
SCREENWRITER
When did you startā?
BABY
(cutting him off)
Really think, for even a freakinā moment, she can be objective?
SCREENWRITER
Kind of hoped.
BABY
Sheās too close to you, pop.
SCREENWRITER
Because sheās my wife?
BABY
And mother of me, for crying out loud, your darling little bundle of joy!
Screenwriter rubs his chin again. A mome...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Contents
- Introduction: Merging Content with Context
- Part 1: The Pitch
- Part 2: Development
- Part 3: āScreenwriting for the Hell of Itā
- eCopyright
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Yes, you can access How To Write: A Screenplay by Mark Evan Schwartz in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & Film Screenwriting. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.