Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop Win/Mac [DVD]
- In this complete video screenwriting course, you'll find out how to isolate the idea, structure it as a storyline, and write up a four-page treatment for it
- Understand the essence of good characters -- dramatic needs, character bios, and the tools of character
- Find out why it's important to stress the action in the first ten pages
- Determine plot points and set up the acts, establish the sub-dramatic context and Pinch I and Pinch II
- Redefine and re-establish theme, premise, and dramatic action, sharpen and focus your character, and set up the payoff for your storyline
Rating: 4 of 5
Nice Resource
I think this is a great resource 4 emerging writers. Very simple & effective tool. Josh Clark The Bare Bones Book of Screenwriting
Rating: 5 of 5
Great Product
Excellent addition 2 the book. Adds a step-by-step process 2 the mechanics discussed in Field's handbook. In additions answers the question, "What the heck does Syd Field look like?" Professionally produced, well worth the money.
Rating: 1 of 5
NO WAY MAN
Syd Field is probably the fakest person in the industry! As far as I know he's never actually written a produced screenplay. I'm represented by a William Morris agent & Syd Field's lessons & references got me laughed at when I first approached getting an agent.
Buy The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier. He actually has his name on several products in the business & is also the book that my agent introduced me to.
Buy The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier. He actually has his name on several products in the business & is also the book that my agent introduced me to.
Rating: 1 of 5
not helpful at all ! - save your time & money 4 other resources!
Let's summarize my thoughts & opinion, which hopefully may assist you in making your choice:
- this course is only about how 2 structure a screenplay in 3 acts. This process has been highly doubted by industry professionals, cause it is copied from the theater which has it's own limitations & style. The 3-act structure might be useful 2 analyse screenplays but not really 2 encourage a creative writing process. Also is it not suitable 4 anybody 2 write the happenings of each act down on 14 cards & organize them. Syd even breaks his own system by splitting the 2nd act into 2 parts (in fact now we have 4 acts), so you have 2 use 2x14 cards 2 write down keywords. It feels like doing homework 4 primary school. I would rather encourage the following: Every person has their own way 2 make notes & structure their work & shall use their own style!
- Syd Field derives all his knowledge from analyzing screenplays not from writing them. And of course from this perspective you could force different kinds of structure on 2 a screenplay & will find ways 2 justify the chosen one.
- this DVD dedicates a lot of time 2 market Final Draft Software as best one in the industry. It doesn't mention that there are other software products on the market which are really good & helpful. So in fact, this is a cross selling marketing arrangement with Final Draft.
- Syd field is also good in marketing himself & his products by using associations of success. How does it help a writer 2 see Syd reading a screenplay, getting into his car, walking in a very self confident & proud manner with another (industry) guy on Rodeo drive, being in front of CAA & entering Paramount Pictures?
- The DVD is as disencouraging as the book is. I started reading the book & put it away before I have read half of it, cause it really killed my motivation 2 write a screenplay. What he illustrates is painting by numbers & was definitely not suitable 4 me.
I am glad that after about a year I kind of accidentially got into a weekend writing class, I regained motivation, started 2 work & also came across some really good literature. One of my recommendations would be Richard Walters Screenwriting which offers a lot of insights on story, character, dialogue, etc. It also presumes a threepart structure, but it doesn't just focus on that. Another good & entertaining read is "The 101 Habits of highly successful screenwriters", which tells you about the real world through interviews. I have started reading Michael Hauge's book & it seems 2 make sense too. Furthermore I would recommend 2 read some of John Truby's articles & see if his DVD classes might be suitable 4 you. And of course Linda Seger offers invaluable tools & advice. William Goldman is an established writer who will be able 2 share some valuable knowledge too (haven't read his book yet). Whatever you read or write - Good luck with it; & have fun!
- this course is only about how 2 structure a screenplay in 3 acts. This process has been highly doubted by industry professionals, cause it is copied from the theater which has it's own limitations & style. The 3-act structure might be useful 2 analyse screenplays but not really 2 encourage a creative writing process. Also is it not suitable 4 anybody 2 write the happenings of each act down on 14 cards & organize them. Syd even breaks his own system by splitting the 2nd act into 2 parts (in fact now we have 4 acts), so you have 2 use 2x14 cards 2 write down keywords. It feels like doing homework 4 primary school. I would rather encourage the following: Every person has their own way 2 make notes & structure their work & shall use their own style!
- Syd Field derives all his knowledge from analyzing screenplays not from writing them. And of course from this perspective you could force different kinds of structure on 2 a screenplay & will find ways 2 justify the chosen one.
- this DVD dedicates a lot of time 2 market Final Draft Software as best one in the industry. It doesn't mention that there are other software products on the market which are really good & helpful. So in fact, this is a cross selling marketing arrangement with Final Draft.
- Syd field is also good in marketing himself & his products by using associations of success. How does it help a writer 2 see Syd reading a screenplay, getting into his car, walking in a very self confident & proud manner with another (industry) guy on Rodeo drive, being in front of CAA & entering Paramount Pictures?
- The DVD is as disencouraging as the book is. I started reading the book & put it away before I have read half of it, cause it really killed my motivation 2 write a screenplay. What he illustrates is painting by numbers & was definitely not suitable 4 me.
I am glad that after about a year I kind of accidentially got into a weekend writing class, I regained motivation, started 2 work & also came across some really good literature. One of my recommendations would be Richard Walters Screenwriting which offers a lot of insights on story, character, dialogue, etc. It also presumes a threepart structure, but it doesn't just focus on that. Another good & entertaining read is "The 101 Habits of highly successful screenwriters", which tells you about the real world through interviews. I have started reading Michael Hauge's book & it seems 2 make sense too. Furthermore I would recommend 2 read some of John Truby's articles & see if his DVD classes might be suitable 4 you. And of course Linda Seger offers invaluable tools & advice. William Goldman is an established writer who will be able 2 share some valuable knowledge too (haven't read his book yet). Whatever you read or write - Good luck with it; & have fun!
Rating: 5 of 5
GREAT SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP!!!
This is an excellent workshop that is worth the money. If you take the time 2 review & do the lessons, you will get better at screenwriting. I disagree with the one reviewer who got nothing out of the DVD. There are exercises that may seem simple at first but in fact offer subtle yet significant learning experiences. And I'm sure if Syd really wanted 2 write a story that he believed in, he would. He loves teaching obviously.
With Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop, you'll develop the screenwriting skills you need 2 be taken seriously by the Hollywood film industry! Learn how 2 create fantastic screenplays with the tutelage of a true master in the field!
($16.99)
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