The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting Paperback – 1 Mar. 2016

very good book on screenwriting good visual way of explaining concepts. good value for money very recommendable.

I came across Jill from an interview on YouTube and clicked with her straight-talking and confident style. I'm a fairly new writer and I'm looking to write for television (and hopefully film and novels at some point). I've come across a few structural breakdowns/how to's/helpful guides but Jill's ethos is the most stunning in its clarity. For an aspiring writer, established writer or simply someone who enjoys stories/films, this is a brilliant book. The walkthrough/talk throughs are engaging and the examples are a brilliant resource. For me I could see not only why I love the films I do but why (Groundhog Dog and The Matrix in particular). There is a hidden art and this book is a great way to finding the way. It can't and won't do all the hard work for you if you aspire to write (as I do) but it's a wonderful pointer. I can't praise the material enough.

A wholly original and inspiring way of looking at 3 Act structure.But Jill Chamberlain repeats herself (sometimes word for word). A shorter, tighter book would have been even better.

I've tried various methods, tips and tricks over the years but nothing really stuck. For 20 years I've poked and prodded at ideas but never got out of first gear, until I tried this book! In actual fact I watched Jill on YouTube and her Nutshell technique spoke to me.The key here is she did the heavy lifting for me. She has developed a fantastically simple guide that walked me through the process of what exactly makes the secret sauce for a story. It helped me understand exactly WHY I loved movies like Groundhog Day and The Bourne Identity by 'Nutshelling' about 30 movies in the back of the book.To be clear, this isn't a book about outlining a story. It's a step before the outline where she tasks you to complete 8 things such as the characters flaw and how by the end a reversal must have happened. She explains why this reversal must happen along with other crucial things that MUST happen in order to create the most rounded and satisfying version of your story.My idea might still be rubbish but I can't blame the book! I loved it and give it 5 stars along with my full recommendation.

This book is genuinely awesome. I left such a positive review title, as that's how I feel. :)The book does not push you in to any structure, in fact by keeping the points to follow very (big picture) view, you end up focusing on the strongest most important parts of your story and this frees you up to write much more creatively. The nutshell technique is there to help you make your story a better story. Im using it now on my feature screenplay. I was finding things tough before, as my protagonist is a 13 year old boy, but by using the book I am making much more progress.Good luck with your writing.. Mark. :)

I love this book, I’ve read it in on a cold, raining, lockdown morning in the UK (yesterday). It’s so well structured. I felt like it turned a little light on and I’ll be forever nutshelling films. I’ve read a lot of books on writing and this is the very very best. I urge anyone who has read a bit and decided the technique is too simple to actually put it into practise. It really gets you thinking. It’s also highly reviewed by other writers. If I could give it 6 stars I would.

I came across Jill through an interview on Film Courage, youtube channel...and was taken by her passion and clarity on story and scriptwriting. I am dyslexic so struggle with too much intellectual jargon but her book is simple and relatable... this is my go to present for my other screenwriting friends for sure...

I love this book. I bought it on paperback and on Audible and have listened to it at least 10-15 times.Many of you are probably in the same situation as me, you have the idea for your film but just following a three act structure doesn’t give you the practical guidance you need, to do your story justice.You’ll be amazed when you read or hear Jill running through some of the best films of all time, highlighting the Set Up Want - The Point of No Return - The Catch (Which is a test of the Flaw) and so much more.. It makes perfect sense and helps you envision the whole story and understand your story and characters so much better.There is no doubt in my mind, the script I am currently writing is a much different level than it would have been without the nutshell technique.Fascinating, practical, enjoyable, essential, Jill has created a masterpiece here.I am so glad I found Jill’s interviews on the brilliant YouTube channel Film Courage.Please buy this book for yourself, or for anyone else you know that is interested in writing a screenplay.Thank you Jill, you are the best!