Making a Good Script Great. Linda Seger

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Without question, Film Scriptwriting: A Practical Manual, Second Edition ?Paperback?
Dwight V. Swain (Author), Joye R. Swain (Author)

There are a lot of other books that are helpful in their own ways, but for a beginner, this book really digs in and helps a new writer learn the process, from breaking a story down into manageable parts to properly formating. http://www.amazon.com/Film-Scriptwriting-Practical-Manual-Second/dp/0240511905/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1285929874&sr=8-2

I also HIGHLY suggest reading EVERYTHING on the the free website www.wordplayer.com by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.
It's an amazing resource for anyone who wants an actual career as a screenwriter.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

I know you just asked for one, but that's too hard. So, I'll try to rank them.

1. Linda Segar - Making A Good Script Great
2. Linda Segar - Creating Memorable Characters
3. Lajos Egri - The Art of Dramatic Writing
4. Syd Field - Screenplay
5. Michael Tierno - Aristotle's Poetics for Screenwriters

I've never read it, but Robert McKee's book, "Story: Substance, Sructure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting," is supposed to be really good.

You should also check out at least one book on formatting and there are a lot of books that talk about nothing but writing dialogue and psychology for screenwriters - so I would check that out as well.

Also, read a lot of screenplays.

Hope this helps.

Jamie Paszko
Publisher/Editor
www.FilmSlateMagazine.com

I could NOT agree more on wordplayer.com. Not only are the articles there very interesting and fun to read, but they really give you an incredible amount of detailed knowledge on the art and craft of writing for screen. Many individually deal with very specific details (how to choose names for your characters, for example), and several are re-telling real-life stories. Keep in mind, the site is maintained, and most articles written by a duo of very successful Hollywood screenwriters, with plenty of blockbuster credits to their names. I am actually quite incredulous that guys with such prominence in their business have the time and the determination to provide all this content, free of charge, to anyone who swings by.

If I could make one remark about the content of the site, I would say that it is specifically focused on the art, craft AND business of screenwriting. A lot of it is focused on writing a spec script, and selling it subsequently. Obviously, these guys are coming from their own angle, so a lot of their advice revolves around writing a script that can sell well.

This really doesn't matter much, though, since the amount of information useful for an independent filmmaker (writer/director) is more than plentiful.

Now, let me re-focus my original question a little bit. Among the plethora of those screenwriting books, most tend to approach it form the same angle as the Wordplayer site -- how to write a script that can be sold in Hollywood. Since most of newcomers (as well as many of the veterans) of this forum tend to fall into the category of writer/director (the most common definition of the 'filmmaker' term), I was wondering, would recommendations above be the same if the target audience were filmmakers who plan on shooting that script by themselves? Obviously, the art and craft of writing a script doesn't change depending on who will shoot it; however, as I mentioned, Wordplayer is sometimes very focused on putting together a storyline that can attract producers, and such a condition could present some restrictions to an independent filmmaker who does not have to worry if his script can be sold to suits in studio offices. What I'm trying to say is, there are plenty of very successful films out there that were written and directed by the same person, and didn't have to be sold as scripts to producers; if you took those scripts and tried to sell them to the suits, they wouldn't pass the basic criteria that makes them sellable.

So, looking from this angle, any other recommendations?

You should also go to the library, because libraries have books that are out of print but which are still important to the craft. You're right to say that one book would not be enough, so go to the fine arts section, read one book you like, and keep going until you have sufficient knowledge.

Then decide if you want to make the plunge.

My original post wasn't so much about me. I have read several screenwriting books, as well as most of the Wordplayer articles. It was kind of a hypothetical question, "If you had to choose ONE single book, which one would you choose"? I was hoping to initiate a discussion, which particular screenwriting book is the best for newcomers.

I have noticed, a lot of young newcomers here tend to be fairly impatient. They ask questions about camcorders and 'tips for filmmaking' in hope to figure thing out as the go along. There is no dispute that learning by doing has merit. However, when we come across a post by some such youngster, we tend to throw at him a dozen or so titles, and most will likely just not bother.

Over the years, I have learned to be realistic in expectations, no matter what situation, so in providing advice to young and impatient people, I try hard not to overwhelm.

On several occasions, when such a question shows up in this forum ("What book on filmmaking?"), I would start by suggesting a title I had found to be probably the shortest, most concise, easiest to digest quickly, and as complete and informative as you could possibly get in such short space: "Moviemaking Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques: The Ultimate Guide for the Aspiring Filmmaker" by Chris Patmore (around $17, and 144 pages).

Are there such concise books about screenwriting worth recommending?

I was wondering why you were asking that, since you seem to know quite a bit.

But, when I started, I tried out the Dummies and Idiot's Guides, and went from there.

I went through "Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking" and 'Filmmaking for Dummies', and in my opinion, they certainly help an ignorant (but eager) teen. Neither actually focuses much on writing good script.

Elsewhere in this forum, I had mentioned some time ago how it was difficult or me to look at dialogue, or scene, and figure out why it was bad, when a professional would easily be able to explain. Only when you actually take some time to learn about the method and technique of writing for screen can you start figuring these things out.

Making A Good Script Great - My college library has it. I'll check it out.