Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434: The Industry's Premier Teacher Reveals the Secrets of the Successful Screenplay Paperback – May 4, 2004

Great read & reasonably priced for anyone looking to write a script

a must have book, it's like everything you need to know on how to write a screenplay, short of a book for dummies that spells everything out.

If you are an engineer you study & learn then do. If you are a chef you learn & study your craft. If you are a writer you read this book. It's all about learning your craft.

I picked this up some years ago and absolutely loved it.My boss asked about a book that detailed script writing and writing screenplays and I could think of no better book.Dr. Hunter is simply the best at his craft, and his track record shows this.Not to put down that 'other' book that everyone scrambles to for methods of Hollywood screen writing, but the homogeneous and predictable product of modern film is greatly due to its popularity. Dr. Hunter's ex-students, on the other hand, often win acclaim and awards for their original screenplays and adaptations.The methods he advises take the reader through every step in an easy and relaxed way and allow the student to move at his/her own pace to a finished product without cynicism or condescension.Need I say more?

I have never learned so much from a book. I've asked several screen writers how to write a screen play. I always get the same answer "That's a whole other animal all together." Lew Hunter grabs you by the hand and gives you an organized, and simple guide on how to write successful screen plays. I loved the book, right down to the examples he uses as good screen plays and I am tickled that he mentioned the "Wizard of Oz" and "E.T." as some of his examples. He is an excellent teacher, an awesome guide, and an even better writer! Hats off to you my friend and Bravo!

This book separates the trees from the forest and puts you back in the forest again. I love it. I got pc kindle; so I wouldn't lose it again -- had three for sure.UCLA Screenwriting guru with CONCEPT explanation. Concept beats cookie cutter. You will be inspired and given two things: freedom and direction. His tricks of the trade generate invention. If you are an artist type, this book is for you. If you are recipe you will follow to cook a screenplay, not so much. Then again, you're never going to be a chef until you get the concept.

This is the second screenwriting book I've read completely and I didn't learn much more from this one. The first one I read was the Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting, which was not all too impressive although I found it to be more helpful. Lew Hunter's Screenwriting emphasizes the importance of your story, but doesn't do all that much to help you write it. It's more about the three act structure and general rules about writing. Also, he lumps his own little-known script "Fallen Angel" in with undeniable classics like "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane" but then refuses to share it with us, instead giving us the full script of his not-so-special script "Glass Hammer" which was never truly made into a movie.In summary, if you're looking for your first book, I would recommend Complete Idiot's over this one. If you're looking for your second or beyond, this isn't it. (I plan to read Syd Field next and will try to update this review when I do.)

This was my first...my first introduction into the art of screenwriting. I followed Mr. Hunter's instructions to the letter and produced my first script. Since then, I have discovered ScreenwritingU, with Hal and Cheryl Croasman. Since then, I have discovered InkTip. But it was Hunter's UCLA Graduate level text, Screenwriting 434, that gave me the confidence that I, too, could do this. Now it's your turn to have some real fun. Buy the book.