Hot Property: Screenwriting in the New Hollywood

by Christopher Keane

A working screenwriter tells how to cash in on the newest Hollywood trends. The technology of filmmaking has changed drastically-and so have the rules for making it in Hollywood. Screenwriter Christopher Keane's groundbreaking step-by-step screenwriting workshop clues every writer in on how to shift their focus to meet the wants of a new independent Hollywood and still remain true to a personal vision.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425190404
• ISBN13: 9780425190401
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 297 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A riveting read that gets to the heart of screenwriting

Chris Keane is a working screenwriter and it shows. Unlike many other books on screenwriting, this one actually hooks you and lets you tap into his passion for the subject. I particularly enjoyed his re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf's perspective. It teaches you how to think like a screenwriter. The other thing I really liked is that you get the sense that what you are reading is a caring coach, someone who wants to see you succeed, not just someone who wants to sell you something. More on Keane at his website: www.keanewords.com

Keane has created a masterpiece!

Keane has created a masterpiece! If you are new to screenwriting or even thinking about writing a screenplay Hot Property is the book for you. Mr. Keane has written an excellent book that is a must have to any screenwriter's library. What makes Hot Property stands out is that it is created for the Hollywood of today. Does this mean that Keane tells you how to write mindless drivel to impress the style over substance MTV crowd? No, Keane says you should try to create low budget screenplays that are built on emotion and great writing. Think Good Will Hunting, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and American Beauty. Not only is it very hard for a new writer to have blockbuster big budgeted screenplays produce but Hollywood is in a little recession right now hence the sudden influx of romantic comedies and horror movies they are the cheapest to make. Hot Property is set up in a very basic format. Instead of chapters Keane has classes making one feel that they are attending a screenwriting class or seminar. Keane's explanation of Situation, Concept, Story and Plot is clear and very simple something that the new screenwriter can understand. Besides having a screenplay at the end of the book in which Keane breaks down the creation of a screenplay, the next thing that gives Hot Property a leg up on other screenwriting books is the chapter on creating treatments. Even the most season of screenwriters are not happy with doing treatments but the way Keane sets it up in his book by using examples of his students, showing what they did right and wrong are amazing to say the least. While there are a few other books that maybe are a little better in the overall creation of a screenplay ie... The Screenwriter's Bible, which teaches you how to write a spec script, which is actually what, you will be creating... Hot Property is still a book not to overlook especially if you are new to screenwriting because it is a book that you will refer back to from time to time. Which makes Hot Property a good purchase.

If you write screenplays YOU NEED TO BUY HOT PROPERTY!

I can't say enough about this new screenwriting book... I have just about every screenwriting book ever written and some of them are really good and I refer to them quite often...Having said that...HOT PROPERTY blew me away! Christopher Keane explains all the little idiosyncracies you, as a screenwriter for the New Hollywood, need to be aware of.There are a lot of problem solving ideas in the book which is what I liked best... Turning points for your characters, plot, structure, etc., that you need to look at before completing and sending out your script.Although I have been writing screenplays for a few years now, I think even new and old screenwriters could gain a lot from this book. I cannot recommend it enough. The book blew me away so much that I even searched for the author on the web to see if he does script analysis... And, he does... A FANTASTIC READ! YOU WILL WEAR THIS BOOK OUT BY REFERING BACK TO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.Matt

Helpful book is honest and practical

Christopher Keane's second screenwriting book is a wonderful, in-depth look at how a novice or seasoned screenwriter can write a marketable screenplay. I found this book filled with on-target and no-nonsense advice about how to get motivated writing, what audience to target, and how to get your screenplay sold. The book includes a full screenplay example.

Hotter than the last!

Chris Keane has done what I thought he couldn't do. He has improved upon his immensely thorough and helpful first book about screenwriting, "How To Write A Selling Screenplay." I used Keane's first book in writing my first feature film, which I subsequently directed. In this new edition, Keane has incorporated the realities of the new Hollywood and changing industry into his educational text about the craft. He gives examples straight from the latest Sundance film festival, provides insight into the struggles and successes that his former students face while actually working in the industry and helps one wade through the myth and the hype that surrounds the film business, all the while remaining true to the teaching of great writing. I believed so much in the premise of this new edition, that I contributed a section on the writing of my film, "Dance by Design." This book is grounded in actual accounts from experienced screenwriters, especially Keane himself who even publishes one of his screenplays in the book as an example. I am thrilled with how the book turned out!-- Valerie Weiss, Founder, Dudley Film Program, Harvard University