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Genre Screenwriting: How to Write Popular Screenplays That Sell Paperback – October 15, 2008

by Stephen V. Duncan (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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It's simple: films need to have commercial value for the studios to produce them, distributors to sell them, and theater chains to screen them. While talent definitely plays a part in the writing process, it can be the well-executed formulaic approaches to the popular genres that will first get you noticed in the industry.


Genre Screenwriting: How to Write Popular Screenplays That Sell does not attempt to probe in the deepest psyche of screenwriters and directors of famous or seminal films, nor does it attempt to analyze the deep theoretic machinations of films. Duncan's simple goal is to give the reader, the screenwriter, a practical guide to writing each popular film genre. Employing methods as diverse as using fairy tales to illustrate the 'how to' process for each popular genre, and discussing these popular genres in modern television and its relation to its big screen counterpart, Duncan provides a one-stop shop for novices and professionals alike.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Continuum
  4. Publication date
    October 15, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.47 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0826429939
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0826429933
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Duncan (screenwriting, Loyola Marymount Univ.; A Guide to Screenwriting) concentrates here on the nuts and bolts of writing commercial screenplays. He explores each of the five primary film genres and a few subgenres to help readers understand the formula for each well enough to write and perhaps sell a successful screenplay of their own. Although not aiming for a general screenwriting primer, Duncan gives a brief overview on screenwriting basics. He uses his own speculative scripts, based on reworked fairy tales, as illustrations for each genre covered...Each chapter closes with helpful textual notes; appendixes provide worksheets for genre and character development." -Stacey Rae Brownlie, Library Journal, February 1, 2009

"[This book] reveals the secrets of a successful screenplay across a range of genres and employs a variety of methods to illustrate the processes" Writer's Forum, December 2008

In this useful and approachable offering, screenwriter Duncan (whose film credits include A Man Called Hawk and Tour of Duty) provides aspiring screenwriters with the tools to write the most popular genres on the big screen, including action-adventure, thriller, science fiction and fantasy, horror-fantasy, and romantic comedy. Duncan breaks down the elements of each genre, showing readers how the protagonist, the antagonist, and the supporting characters function within the structure of the plot. Duncan uses his own spec scripts for dialogue and format tips and transforms fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears into examples of various genres. In addition to his own work, Duncan references popular films in each category and shows how they typify their respective genres. At the end of the book, he offers suggestions for marketing and attempting to sell the finished screenplay. Indie aficionados might turn up their noses, but Duncan's handy how-to is a practical, accessible guide for those eager to work in popular contemporary movies."-Booklist

About the Author

Stephen Duncan is an Associate Professor, and currently Chair of the Screenwriting Department, at Loyola Marymount University.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Continuum; Illustrated edition (October 15, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0826429939
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0826429933
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.47 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

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Stephen V. Duncan

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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Book
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
Genre Screenwriting was a required book in a screenwriting course I took. Its continent was helpful.
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eagle747
4.0 out of 5 stars OK, but there are better
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is an OK book and a good supplement if you are getting into screnwriter. The more you understand the process the easier it will be on you. As that goes I do recommend reading books like this. With that said I highly suggest this much better book as a necessary piece for anyone learning to write screenplays:

[...]

Very good.
One person found this helpful
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JD Spivey
3.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
It's a good book, but it's a bit too basic and very repetitive. It doesn't go into full detail about how to construct action set-pieces or create real-life breathing worlds in the fantasy genre.
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Rob Hadley
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a good pick up.
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is meant to be basic. It's going through the basics of a genre. If you are expecting to learn structure you need to look for Syd Field "Screenplay." This for the writer who is looking to advance, not starting from scratch.
One person found this helpful
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Bob Justman
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
Very well-written, concise how-to for writing in every genre. I refer to it regularly, and it's one of my favorite texts. It's well-organized and uses current examples.
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Stephen Wimer
2.0 out of 5 stars PASS
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2011
Verified Purchase
This one isn't worth picking up. Usually you can learn a thing or two from screenwriting books, but this one just goes over the same old. You're better off learning the craft from Screenwritingu, and reading Truby, Blake Snyder, Mckee, Tobin, and the like.
2 people found this helpful
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Teresa
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good book, but there are better.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2016
Using the Tour of Duty credit I found him on IMDBPro. His filmograhy is a bit skimpy. I recommend watching or reading interviews with the writers of successful movies rather than paying too much attention to people who read some books and then declared themselves to be screenwriting gurus. Gurus usually offer some kind of cookie cutter structural method. The people who actually make movies talk mostly about story.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Chaz J. Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrillers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
Before I read this book I couldn't write thrillers. Now I can. This book has also given me the courage to try genrés I would never have thought myself capable of such as horror and comedy. It was referenced in several of my screenwriting essays during my Film Production Masters and I strongly recommend it.
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