"Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting" by Syd Field

Rebecca: This is truly a book all writers and story tellers need on their shelf for repeated reference. I happened to be listening to the podcast “You are a storyteller” while reading this, which is a fantastic companion to the book. The book is a thorough, well-written and fascinating read. Cannot recommend this enough! I will be rereading it for years, I am sure.

United States on Oct 03, 2023

Mary Brya: NOT for people who are developing a story into a screenplay. I felt like I was reading a backstory about people who have written screenplays already. If anything this book turned me off of developing my novel into anything written for screen. I got more information by googling award winning screenplays, then viewing them for free.

United States on Sep 28, 2023

Abhinav: Great book for those who want to learn about cinema, But my suggestion is watch films first watch lot of cinema around world notice the patterns look beyond screen and lines. Then buy this book it will do wonders.

India on Aug 08, 2023

The book has been damaged: The media could not be loaded.

India on Aug 07, 2023

Amazon Customer: Book is paperback and the quality is lower side comparing to other paper book books. But Beware of the price as t is available for Rs 345 on here on amazon.in.

India on Aug 04, 2023

Karen Morrissey: I just finished reading Screenplay and it was eye opening. Most of the book is about crafting stories. Creative techniques recommended for screenwriters. But I find most of those techniques can be applied to crafting novels.

A few months ago, I finished a first draft of a novel that was much too short. The second act was sparse, and I hadn't adequately shown why a very unlikely pair fell in love. I clearly didn't fully understand the story I was trying to tell. What I learned from Screenplay in one reading has already given me a growth spurt as a writer. I have a vision and thematic understanding I didn't have before, thanks to this book.

Field is a teacher of screenwriting, and his teaching chops show in this book. It is an easy and comfortable read. The writing style is conversational and encouraging and the book is well organized to introduce you to creating stories for the screen in a logical progression, promoting well-accepted methods.

So, not only is Screenplay a valuable book for screenwriters, it is a worthwhile read for other storytellers, including novelists.

United States on Jun 28, 2023

Marten - Fuccus OperatorMarten - Fuccus Operator: Me gusta mucho el libro. Es que parece que estás con el escritor y él te cuenta sobre su trabajo. Me lo absorbo como una esponja. Me gusta esas cosas. El libro me recomendó el director de cine, Steven de Jong.

Spain on Jun 01, 2023

BigDaddy050970: Syd Field's "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting" is a classic guide for anyone interested in the art and craft of screenwriting. In this book, Field breaks down the process of writing a screenplay into a series of clear and concise steps, providing aspiring screenwriters with the tools they need to turn their ideas into fully-realized screenplays.

Field's approach is both practical and inspirational, providing plenty of useful tips and insights that are sure to be valuable to both novice and experienced screenwriters alike. He covers all of the key elements of screenwriting, from developing characters and crafting a compelling plot to writing dialogue that rings true and capturing the unique visual language of film.

One of the most valuable aspects of this book is Field's emphasis on the importance of structure in screenwriting. He introduces readers to the concept of the "three-act structure," a framework that has become a cornerstone of modern screenwriting. By breaking down the screenplay into three distinct acts, Field shows writers how to build a story that will capture and hold the audience's attention from beginning to end.

Overall,...

United States on May 08, 2023

Jesús Martínez Martínez: I read both Story and Screenplay. I like Story better, but I do have to say that Screenplay points out very important things about the creative process for anyone unaware of them. Go for it!

Mexico on Feb 09, 2023

Aerosynth929: "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting" by industry giant Syd Field is considered to be the bible of modern screenwriting texts, and has been for many years. It's a well-deserved badge of honor.

Field approaches the art of screenwriting logically, positively, explaining step by step the hows, whats, and whys of the biz. He addresses the technical points of length, description, planning, all in a way that makes absolute sense to any reader... regardless of their knowledge of the film industry, educational level, or age. He uses popular film examples to underscore his methods, which help enormously. This book gives any reader the right foundation to begin a screenplay with absolute confidence.

As an aside..... let's also not forget that the way Syd Field writes--his prose--is so reader friendly, and so understandable... he could be writing completely random crap and it would still be an absolute pleasure to read it. I've found that most writing "how-to" texts are extremely boring, procedural... very INSTITUTIONAL... this book is not at all institutional, and it's very easy on the eyes and brain when you're reading it.

My only criticism with this book is a...

United States on Mar 19, 2010