Writing Screenplays That Sell, New Twentieth Anniversary Edition - 20th Edition by Michael Hauge (Paperback)

About the Book

No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story. Will Smith Michael Hauge is a story master, and this book is an absolute must have for anyone serious about telling great stories for the screen. DeVon Franklin, Vice-President of Production, Columbia PicturesFrom renowned Hollywood story consultant Michael Hauge, considered one of the most sought after lecturers and script consultants in the U.S. by Scriptwriter magazine, comes the ultimate concept-to-deal guide for writing and selling screenplays for movies and television now fully revised and updated for the modern screenwriter in this all new 20th anniversary edition."

Book Synopsis

"No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story." --Will Smith

"Michael Hauge is a story master, and this book is an absolute must have for anyone serious about telling great stories for the screen." --DeVon Franklin, Vice-President of Production, Columbia Pictures

Concise, authoritative, and comprehensive, Writing Screenplays that Sell is the most complete guide available on the art, craft, and business of screenwriting for movies and television. Renowned Hollywood story consultant Michael Hauge--considered "one of the most sought after lecturers and script consultants in the U.S." by Scriptwriter magazine--covers every aspect from concept to deal: screenplay development, artistry versus commerciality, adaptations, copyright protection, living and working outside Los Angeles; finding an agent; and more.

Reflecting the latest trends and scripts, Writing Screenplays that Sell includes insight and detailed information on:

• Finding and selecting commercial story concepts
• Guidelines for story structure, including:
• Opening scenes that immediately grab the reader
  - The five most common goals in Hollywood movies
  - Why most adaptations fail
  - The most effective use of flashbacks
  - Creating emotionally powerful endings
• Tips for marketing a script--script consultants, script competitions, pitch fests, virtual pitching, e-mail blasts, log-line listings, audio script readings, and Internet resources for screenwriters
• A complete, in depth analysis of the screenplay for Avatar, the biggest box office success of all time
• Whether you're an aspiring artist looking to break into the business or a seasoned pro looking for tips to boost your skills, Writing Screenplays that Sell is the one essential guide you need.

From the Back Cover

For more than twenty years, Writing Screenplays That Sell has been hailed as the most complete guide available on the art, craft, and business of writing for movies and television. Now fully revised and updated to reflect the latest trends and scripts, Hollywood story expert and script consultant Michael Hauge walks readers through every step of writing and selling successful screenplays. If you read only one book on the screenwriter's craft, this must be the one.

Review Quotes

"No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story." -- Will Smith (Men in Black; Ali; The Pursuit of Happyness; Hitch; I Am Legend; Hancock)

"Michael Hauge is a story master, and this book is an absolute must have for anyone serious about telling great stories for the screen." -- DeVon Franklin, Vice-President of Production, Columbia Pictures

"There are five essential books that every person who wants to write screenplays should read. One of them is Writing Screenplays That Sell, and the other four don't matter." -- Terry Rossio, Co-writer: Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2, 3 & 4; Shrek; Aladdin; The Mask of Zorro; Déjà Vu

"The most practical and best single book on the subject." -- Hollywood Scriptwriter

"The craftsman's blueprint for anyone who is serious about writing or developing good screenplays." -- Roger Birnbaum, Chairman, Spyglass Entertainment; former President of Production, Twentieth Century Fox

"If you're serious about becoming a screenwriter, start by reading this book." -- Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter, The Karate Kid and The Power of One

""...When I pick up the phone for help, Michael Hauge is the call I make." -- Shane Black, Screenwriter: Lethal Weapon 1 & 2; The Last Boy Scout; The Long Kiss Goodnight; Writer/Director: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

"What Michael Hauge does seems quite simple but is in fact quite rare. He takes your ideas and makes them better." -- Christopher Murphey, screenwriter: The Karate Kid (2010); The Unsaid; Body of Proof