While most courses focus on the big picture, Jim Mercurio gives invaluable step-by-step advice about individually crafting each scene in a screenplay. A must read for the novice and expert filmmaker., This book may well change the way screenwriting is taught. Easier said than done, but Jim gives us the tools to chop, mold and sharpen these beats to gleaming bits of perfection., The Craft of Scene Writing breaks down the rules and how to break them, beat by beat, as a story within a story. Jim understands that scripts are just an accumulation of these story beats and it is our job as writers to obsess over each and every word and action to ensure that each beat is clear, concise, dramatic and surprising. He assiduously avoids tired, old school truisms to give us a thoroughly useful, contemporary road map to better writing., A powerful survey of how to write effective scenes, illustrating the importance of digging deep for above average results., Utilizing engaging language, Jim Mercurio explores the shape of individual scenes within screenplays, probing the parallels between micro- and macro story structures, and providing keen insights into the nature of storytelling that should prove useful to creators of dramatic narratives not only in film and TV but in all platforms and media., The thing I love most about The Craft of Scene Writing is that Jim treats writers as filmmakers, urging them to consider how the script informs all of the downstream departments, painting a picture in the reader's mind for every story beat. As a longtime professor of screenwriting, I must say that I was inspired by this book., Developing effective and affecting scenes is the beating heart of screenwriting, and Jim Mercurio has given us an excellent guide to writing scenes that are narratively tight, emotionally engaging, and thematically resonant. reveals the key ins and outs of developing a powerful screen narrative. This incredibly detailed exploration of screenwriting technique will help beginning writers to write great scripts and experienced writers to gain a more complete mastery of their craft.Īn invaluable guide for screenwriters and anyone else interested in learning more about the creative art of storytelling. Citing examples from scripts old and new, The Craft of Scene Writing breaks down how great scenes reveal character, advance the story, and emotionally connect with audiences, plus demonstrates how to use these techniques in your own scripts. In The Craft of Scene Writing, accomplished screenwriter and master writing teacher Jim Mercurio analyzes and systematizes the beats, conflicts, character moments, action, dialogue, and structure that create powerful scenes. Meg Ryan's fake orgasm in Katz's Deli in When Harry Met Sally with the climactic punch line: "I'll have what she's having." In Superbad, Jonah Hill professing "I love you" to his friend Michael Cera by touching his nose with a "boop." Great scenes will elevate your script from ho-hum to extraordinary-and from the slush pile to sellable. Marlon Brando in the back seat in On the Waterfront giving his "I could'a been a contender" speech. What audiences love and remember about a movie are great scenes. No one comes out of a movie talking about structure. A professional screenwriter's master class in writing the most critical and challenging script element-the individual scene.
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