Description
Book SynopsisIf there is one skill that separates the professional screenwriter from the amateur, it is the ability to rewrite successfully. From Jack Epps, Jr., the screenwriter of
Top Gun,
Dick Tracy, and
The Secret of My Success, comes a comprehensive guide that explores the many layers of rewriting. In
Screenwriting is Rewriting, Epps provides a practical and tested approach to organizing notes, creating a game plan, and executing a series of focused passes that address the story, character, theme, structure, and plot issues. Included are sample notes, game plans, and beat sheets from Epps’ work on films such as
Sister Act and
Turner and Hooch. Also featured are exclusive interviews with Academy Award® winning screenwriters Robert Towne (
Chinatown) and Frank Pierson (
Dog Day Afternoon), along with Academy Award® nominee Susannah Grant (
Erin Brockovich).
Trade ReviewThe book is a great starting point that would teach aspiring screenwriters or students of creative writing how to go about starting, developing and rewriting their screenplays. * Alphaville: Journal of Film and Screen Media *
And just when we thought we didn't need another book about screenwriting along comes this one, which in short order makes itself a must-have. Jack Epps is a great writer, a master teacher, as smart about character as he is about structure. He's distilled this part of our craft to its essence, and by heeding his book's fine wisdom we will all of us become better rewriters—and better writers. * Howard A. Rodman, Screenwriter and President of the Writer’s Guild of America, We *
Never in the history of Hollywood has a screenwriter heard the words: ‘It's perfect; don't change a thing.’ Even if someone were to say that, we know better and would change it anyway, and change it again, and again, and again. This book teaches the
why and the
how of rewriting and is written by a real, live, honest-to-God professional screenwriter who has successfully had many of his scripts made into movies. * Stephen Sommers, Writer and Director of The Jungle Book (1994), The Mummy (1999), and Van Helsing (2004) *
An exemplary text on screenplay writing. Drawing from both his professional and academic experiences, Jack Epps, Jr. provides an excellent distillation of ideal screenwriting practice, creating an indispensable resource for both students and self-taught screenwriters. * David Dunn, Principal Teaching Fellow in Film Studies, University of Southampton, UK *
Table of ContentsIntroduction How To Use This Book Let’s Talk About Rewriting The Pass Method
– Layer By Layer Movies You Need To See
Part One: Foundations and Fundamentals Chapter 1 Notes –
Receiving and Organizing Notes Chapter 2 Interpreting Notes –
Reading Tea Leaves Chapter 3 Annotated Draft –
Your Reference Guide Chapter 4 Game Plan –
Creating a Road Map for the Rewrite Chapter 5 Character –
Writing from the Inside Out Chapter 6 Foundation Pass –
Strengthening the Core Chapter 7 Character Pass –
The Emotional Core Chapter 8 The Set-Up –
Establish – Complicate – Resolve Chapter 9 Story & Theme Pass
– The Emotional Underpinning Chapter 10 Structure –
What Stays In, What Goes Out, and In What Order Chapter 11 Structure Pass
– Architecture and Design Chapter 12 Plot –
How Will This Turn Out? Chapter 13 Plot Pass
– Cause and Effect Chapter 14 Feedback on Your Interim Draft –
Checking-In Part Two: Details and Layering Chapter 15 Opposition Characters –
Sources of Conflict and Tension Chapter 16 Obstacles, Complications, Reveals, and Reversals –
Complicate, Complicate, Complicate Chapter 17 Obstacles, Complications, Reveals, and Reversals Pass
– Making Life Much More Difficult Chapter 18 Relationships –
The Ties that Bind Chapter 19 Relationship Pass –
Interconnecting Chapter 20 Dialogue –
Rhythm and Flow Chapter 21 Scene Pass
– Link and Connect Chapter 22 Consistency Pass
– Motivated Actions Chapter 23 Polish Pass
– Dialogue, Text, and Tightening Chapter 24 Sending Out Your Screenplay –
Letting Go Chapter 25 Working with Directors, Producers, and Executives
– Patience, Patience, Patience Part Three: Screenwriters on Rewriting Interview with Robert Towne
Chinatown, The Firm, Mission Impossible II Interview with Frank Pierson
Cool Hand Luke, Dog Day Afternoon, King Of The Gypsies Interview with Susannah Grant
Pocahontas, Erin Brockovich, The Soloist Part Four: Examples Studio Script Notes
Turner & Hooch Notes
Sister Act Studio Notes and Game Plan Student Annotated Pages
Suicide Girl by Ivy Pruss Student Script Notes & Game Plans
Take Your Grandma To Work Day by David Ngo
F@#% The Knot by Romi Barta Essential Three Act Questions Acknowledgements Quote Sources Index
