Screenplay

The Foundations of Screenwriting

By: Syd Field

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Hollywood's script guru teaches you how to write a screenplay in "the 'bible' of screenwriting" (The New York Times)—now celebrating forty years of screenwriting success!

Syd Field's books on the essential structure of emotionally satisfying screenplays have ignited lucrative careers in film and television since 1979. In this revised edition of his premiere guide, the underpinnings of successful onscreen narratives are revealed in clear and encouraging language that will remain wise and practical as long as audiences watch stories unfold visually—from hand-held devices to IMAX to virtual reality . . . and whatever comes next.

As the first person to articulate common structural elements unique to successful movies, celebrated producer, lecturer, teacher and bestselling author Syd Field has gifted us a classic text. From concept to character, from opening scene to finished script, here are fundamental guidelines to help all screenwriters—novices and Oscar-winners—hone their craft and sell their work.

In Screenplay, Syd Field can help you discover:

• Why the first ten pages of every script are crucial to keeping professional readers' interest
• How to visually "grab" these influential readers from page one, word one
• Why structure and character are the basic components of all narrative screenplays
• How to adapt a novel, a play, or an article into a saleable script
• Tips on protecting your work—three ways to establish legal ownership of screenplays
• Vital insights on writing authentic dialogue, crafting memorable characters, building strong yet flexible storylines (form, not formula), overcoming writer's block, and much more

Syd Field is revered as the original master of screenplay story structure, and this guide continues to be the industry's gold standard for learning the foundations of screenwriting.

Narrated by Eric Summerer. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Syd Field (P)2024 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC

An amazing listen!

A must-listen for any aspiring screenplay writer!

Fundamental knowledge for structure and process, from start to finish, was presented in an easily understood and inspiring manner.

That Voice That Tells You To Just Simply Write It!

You never know how it is so excruciatingly difficult to go through with this audiobook without the voice inside you to just simply write it! Many mentors in screenplay writing moves you with elating encouragement but this one simply nags you to the core. Excellent presentation. And the conscience that tells you to write it!

Definitely a great foundation

No non-sense. Clearly and well presented. This is obviously a classic! It lays the groundwork.

For pre-beginners

This book is vastly overrated (based on the fact it's been around for so long and has gone through multiple editions). It's for people who have never done any writing at all, and they may not even have any ideas, they just know they want to write a screenplay and make a million dollars and be really famous. Well, here's your book. The advice is incredibly banal, with lots of filler. I will definitely be asking for my money back.

Sucks

The most surface-level, redundant, and least illuminating book on the craft I have ever read. I get that it’s the first, but this sucks