Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays


Book Description

Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays has the lowdown not only on getting your thriller feature script on the page, but getting it in front of producers and investors. From premise to resolution, Lucy V. Hay guides you through the craft of thriller writing, citing classic thrillers such as Psycho, The Shining, The Sixth Sense and Fatal Attraction and lesser-known gems like Red Eye, Desperate Measures, Impostor and Deviation. The book also considers how the screenplay might be sold to investors, looking at high concept ideas, pitching, packaging and the realities of film finance. Lucy V. Hay asks: what is flight vs. fight? What is the difference between horror and thriller? What are the different sub genres of thriller? What part do actors play in film finance? How can limited locations create new opportunities in storytelling and financing? Why is the lone protagonist so in demand? Why are female characters so popular in thriller? And much, much more... 'Really hones in on the specific genre of thrillers with expertise' - Write So Fluid 'A must-read for any writer, producer or director looking to create (or in the process of creating) a thriller production. It could also be immensely useful for those generally curious about the genre or looking to learn more' - Film Doctor 'This book should form part of the armoury for any screenplay writers bookshelf' - Stephen Hall Check out Lucy V. Hay's other screenwriting books: Writing & Selling Drama Screenplays and Writing Diverse Characters for Fiction, Film and TV




Writing Screenplays That Sell


Book Description

Covers story concept, character development, theme, structure, and scenes, analyzes a sample screenplay, and tells how to submit a manuscript, select an agent, and market oneself.




Writing & Selling Drama Screenplays


Book Description

It may be drama features that win the most awards and kudos from critics, but in the current marketplace you're unlikely to sell a drama screenplay in the way you would a genre script. Breaking down the nuts and bolts of what differentiates drama from genre, Writing and Selling Drama Screenplays considers questions such as: - What is 'emotional truth'? - What separates stereotypical and authentic characters? - What are the different types of drama feature screenplay? - How do we make these films, when there's 'no money'? - What are the distribution opportunities for dramas? - Exploring the ways in which drama and authenticity work, it will empower screenwriters to make their own story and character choices, so they can write and also help to package, finance and even make their own drama features. Writing and Selling Drama Screenplays includes detailed case studies of produced dramas made on both shoestring and bigger budgets, and industry insights from their writers, directors and producers. It looks in-depth at Scottish BAFTA-winning Night People, the iconic coming out movie Beautiful Thing, the touching New Orleans drama Hours, starring the late Paul Walker, and the ambitious true story of Saving Mr Banks, based on the battle of wills between Mary Poppins author PL Travers and Walt Disney himself. It also discusses films such as Brokeback Mountain, American Beauty, The King's Speech, Juno, Erin Brockovich, Changeling and Girl, Interrupted. 'A top-notch, cutting-edge guide to writing and selling, not just practical but inspirational. Lucy's distinctive voice infuses the entire journey. Quite brilliant. Here's the woman who'll help you make things happen' - Barbara Machin, award-winning writer & creator of Waking the Dead 'Delivers the stirring call to arms that writers must not only write, but take their work to the next level themselves, making sacrifices and taking risks if they want to see their stories on screen' - Chris Jones, Filmmaker, Screenwriter & Creative Director at the London Screenwriters Festival Check out Lucy V. Hay's other screenwriting books: Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays and Writing Diverse Characters for Fiction, Film and TV




Selling a Screenplay


Book Description

- Breaks Down the Business of Screenwriting - Explains What the Buyer Looks For - Shows You What to Do to Get in the Door - Tackles the Pitching Process - Provides Personal Insights from Famous Screenwriters Everybody has a story to tell. Everybody wants to write the great American screenplay. But what do you do after it’s written? How do you sell it? Studio honchos. Development Executives. Independent Producers. What do they want? Do you need an agent or manager to get it into production? Selling a screenplay can mean earning $250,000 or more, so competition is fierce. Syd Field gives you an insider’s look at the movie and TV industry, packed with essential tips from the pros. Selling a Screenplay is a must-have guide for every screenwriter, filled with frank real-life advice from Hollywood’s most powerful deal makers and most celebrated screenwriters. They all started somewhere.




How to Write a Damn Good Thriller


Book Description

A quick look at any fiction bestseller list reveals that thrillers make up most of the titles at the top. HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD THRILLER will help the aspiring novelist or screenwriter to design, draft, write, and polish a thriller that is sure to grab readers. Frey uses examples from both books and movies and addresses the following hot topics: *Germinal ideas *Breathing life into great thriller characters *Crafting a gripping opening *Maintaining tension *Creating obstacles and conflicts *Writing a mean, lean thriller scene *Adding surprise twists *Building a smashing climax and many more. In his trademark approachable and humorous style, Frey illuminates the building blocks of great thrillers and gives the reader the tools to write his or her own.




Writing Bestselling True Crime and Suspense


Book Description

True crime and suspense stories make a killing at the box office, on bestseller lists, and on TV. Both new and experienced writers have found that they can master the special skills required to make crime pay -- in book and movie contracts. "Writing Bestselling True Crime and Suspense shows how you, too, can: - Find and develop compelling true crime stories from everyday sources - Dig out the facts and put them on paper - Fashion your story for books, TV, or movies - Market your story for maximum profit - And much moreAs a special bonus, author Tom Byrnes has included in-depth interviews with true crime movers and shakers including writers, publishers, and Hollywood producers. Writing Bestselling True Crime and Suspense will show you how to craft gripping accounts of the dark deeds that dominate the news and sell them to publishers and beyond. About the Author Tom Byrnes is the author of the national bestseller "Madame Foreman: A Rush to Judgment, about the O.J. Simpson double-murder trial. He is also an award-winning editor and a journalist whose work has appeared in national newspapers and magazines.




The Secrets of Action Screenwriting


Book Description




Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays


Book Description

The lowdown on not only getting a thriller feature script on the page, but also getting it in front of producers and investors From premise to resolution, this book guides writers through the craft of thriller writing, citing classic thrillers such as Psycho, The Shining, The Sixth Sense, and Fatal Attraction, and lesser-known gems like Red Eye, Desperate Measures, Impostor, and Drive. The book also considers how the screenplay might be sold to investors, looking at high concept ideas, pitching, packaging, and the realities of film finance. It answers such common questions as What is flight vs. fight? What is the difference between horror and thriller? What are the different sub genres of thriller? What part do actors play in film finance? How can limited locations create new opportunities in storytelling and financing? Why is the lone protagonist so in demand? and Why are female characters so popular in thriller?




How to Write what You Want and Sell what You Write


Book Description

Not loaded with theory, Skip's invaluable book contains concise, easily understood and applied advice for both writing and marketing any kind of book, article, story, play, screen-play, report, proposal or anything else you can think of.How to Write What You Want and Sell What You Write is for every writer or wannabe who needs to sort out his or her desires, capabilities and strengths and, even more importantly, learn the particular formats for the kind of writing in which he or she is interested.




Selling Your Screenplay


Book Description

Selling Your Screenplay is a step-by-step guide to getting your screenplay sold and produced. Learn how to get your script into the hands of the producers and directors who can turn your story into a movie.