The 90-Day Screenplay: from concept to polish

I was working simultaneously on two screenplays that I thought were both so clever but I couldn't get them to come together. I thought a guide to screenplay writing might help. This book was rated highest so I ordered it. I'm so glad I did.The layout of the book of having one concept with homework assignments each day really breaks down the work of writing into small, easy to do, steps. The homework is a list of questions that the author selects that helps develop the characters while working on that day's concept. As I answered these questions each day I realized that my characters weren't complete people in my first go around at writing and by really delving into the topics I realized that my characters were kind of one dimensional before. I had been doing what the author of this book says not to do - creating a story and moving my characters around in it. By working through each lesson my characters became real people. And the story lines I had created before have evolved into something much more interesting with dilemmas and solutions that I think audiences will be interested in following. My screenplays are really moving along now and I can't wait to submit them for review. Watch out Hallmark Channel - new movies are on the way!I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even thinking of writing a screenplay - whether you just have an idea or have a screenplay written but its just not there yet. This book will definitely be a worthwhile read not only for your first screenplay but for everyone you write in the future.

I have purchased numerous screenwriting books and story-structure software in the hopes of completing a screenplay. Most of these books/software get you lost in a labyrinth of writing exercises, screenplay dissections and convoluted theories----I could not find one that gets MY screenplay written.I never really considered screenplay-writing books that promise to have your story written in ten, twenty, thirty days---screenwriting is tough! I am of the opinion that more time surely needs to be dedicated to the cause in order to write that production-worthy screenplay. Besides, it's usually the same story with these books: inciting incident--page ten........turning point--page forty-five......don't go past one hundred ten pages.......Joseph Campbell ideology here......off-course writing exercises that have nothing to do with getting your story out of your head....yada, yada, yada........In desperation I came across this book. I read the book's excerpt--I was intrigued. I bought the book even though I was still cynical that a finished screenplay PLUS a rewrite could be accomplished in the promised ninety days. I'm only twenty days in but I couldn't wait to let everyone know how great this book is. Mr. Watt's words are encouraging, helpful, and never condescending as he holds your hand through the process; I'm really confident that my screenplay will finally emerge. There are writing exercises for sure (very short ones) but you realize they're constructed with a clear, specific purpose---to find your screenplay and get it written.Surrender to this one---this book should be required reading in all film schools. Thank you Mr. Watt!

The title got me hooked and didn't disappoint. I didn't want to believe that agony was a non negotiable companion when writing a screenplay as I have seen in many accounts before. This book confirms my faith that script writing can be done quickly and still leave room for your distinctive voice and imagination.

Most books on scriptwriting are dictatorial: "Here is the formula for a screenplay. You must follow it slavishly or you will fail." But creativity should not be confined by formulas. Alan Watt recognizes the role the subconscious plays in enabling us to discover the real story within us, and he provides encouragement and exercises to help us harness the power of the subconscious as we explore our characters and the world they inhabit. I think this one quotation sums up the book for me and is a good indication of why any aspiring scriptwriter should read it:"Sometimes there can be a tendency to hold so tightly to our idea of our characters that we choke them into submission and are left with two-dimensional versions of what they could have been. By inquiring into the dilemma, we are free to explore our characters in surprising ways, and our screenplay can move inexorably to a climax that reveals a transformation."

It is obvious that Alan Watt is an extraordinary teacher- The 90-Day Screenplay has prompts, guidelines, and a methodology that is unlike anything I've gotten out of any book or writing class. The exercises in The 90 Day Screenplay have been invaluable to me in my current projects, a novel and a screenplay. After spending just 30 minutes with my copy of The 90-Day Screenplay, I was able to get to the heart of what my stories are about, as well as address some very important story issues that I was blocked and confused by.Every writer should have this book to get their creative process flowing- even novelists and short story writers- it is FULL of core concepts and good reminders for writers of every level, in any stage of their career.

A great primer on writing screenplays from scratch. I personally just need to turn a novel into a screenplay, but I found it very useful to read the wisdom that Alan Watt shares with us on the various aspects of a good script. Witty and sometimes sarcastic, probably reflecting the snarky qualities of Hollywood people.Alan does not promise a path of roses, but provides clear direction to those of us that wish to write a screenplay for the first time. I suspect that many experienced people will benefit from this book as well.Highly recommended.

Excellent text - full of good information and many tips. Me and a mate are systenatically reading our way through it and then we will be starting in on the real thing. The play's the thing.Five stars from us.

Wer es gerne strukturiert mag und sich deshalb an tägliche Inputs gerne anlehnt, hat hier ein Werk zur Verfügung, das seinesgleichen sucht. Man mag vielleicht zuerst vom Titel abgeschreckt werden, da man findet, dass 90 Tage für ein Drehbuch doch sehr knapp sind. Trotzdem macht das tägliche Arbeiten mit diesem Buch Spass und hilft einem, diszipliniert dran zu bleiben.Die Inputs sind motivierend und anregend geschrieben. Mein Skript hat dadurch Gestalt gewonnen und ich werde es auch beim nächsten Drehbuchschreiben wieder zur Hand nehmen.

This book has clearly been honed by years of teaching, feedback and rewrites, making it the most accessible and concise introduction to screenwriting I have read. It instructs and inspires, and is never boring. Highly recommended.

Another brilliant book in the 90-day writing series.Breaking the process down into days makes it all feasible. The daily 5-minute questions are spot on & lead to a cascade of new ideas. Also, the advice to "hold it all lightly" is priceless.Alan Watt rocks :-)

Das Handbuch punktet mit einer guten Gliederung inkl. Übungen und Aufgaben, die einen dazu bringen aus Wischiwaschi-Ideen greifbares Material zu machen. Die Anleitung ist so empathisch geschrieben, dass ich sie verschlungen habe wie einen spannenden Roman selbst. Man vergisst ganz, dass es auf englisch ist. Meine Empfehlung!