Screenwriting from the Heart: The Technique of the Character-Driven Screenplay

by James Ryan and James Ryan

Book Overview

Screenwriting from the Heart is James Ryan's answer to today's formulaic, by-the-numbers Hollywood films. As a successful screenwriter and teacher, Ryan has distilled the content of his popular... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823084191
• ISBN13: 9780823084197
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Billboard Books
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Second Subtitle Says It All

This is a great book, unfortunate title, but great book. It's subtitle regarding compelling characters is on the nose - which in this case is a good thing. This is probably not the first screenwriting book you should read, but definately one you should read before you try to fill that empty page. Realize that screenplays are highly formatted, and the writer can't stray too far from that structure and expect to have his work read. But, if you have read Ackerman, Field, Hicks, Hunter, Kitchen, Walker, and/or Russin & Downs there is STILL MUCH TOO LEARN in the pages of this book! For a different way of developing your story within that strict screenplay format (maybe THE way for your style of writing or conceptualizing a story) I highly recommend "Screenwriting from the Heart". My only complaint is that it seems Ryan hasn't written any other books since.

Well worth buying

I own a variety of books on screenwriting and have to say this is one of the better ones. He writes well and, unlike some other writers on the subject, he doesn't propose a formulaic approach.Ryan's concentration on character acts as a welcome counterbalance to the current proliferation of plot-based action movies. If this book results in more engrossing films, then James Ryan will deserve to be given an Oscar.

Smart and Artful

I really liked this book because it helped me in so many unexpected ways. I liked how he showed me that a screenplay can be one or five acts, not just three, as the formula tells us it should be. His Free-Write exercises were just great. They actually broke me of this block I was having with my work and lead me to some very interesting places. They helped to make my work more original, which, right there, is worth the price of the book.This is not a dumbed down book. It is really smart, tough, and very original. Even if you don't agree with what he says, you have to admit he makes you really think about screenwriting in a very fresh and original way. And I do agree with him that without great characters a screenplay will never be great.I thought is was very well written and I recommend you give it a try. It will broaden your skills.

A must for Screenwriters

At last, a book that makes sense and really gives you incredibly insights into the craft of screenwriting! Written by someone who is a professional screenwriter that teaches rather than a professional teacher. He's a professional playwright, screenwriter, and film director. Ryan's "field" knowledge of how to write a film bleeds through every page in this book. I read many of the books on screenwriting, Syd Fields, Linda Seger, "Alternative Scriptwriting"(couldn't understand a page of it), McKee's book (totally incomprehensible), only Lew Hunter's book has the clarity of Ryan's book, but Lew seems to be old Hollywood, and Ryan is new Indiewood. He shows you how to make films like American Beauty, Magnolia, Topsy Turvy, Fargo, Shine, Rushmore, etc., -- ones that win Academy Awards. Films that break the "rules" of the Hollywood formula -- the three act structure -- taught by everyone, it seems. He shows you that a film can be one, two, three, or ten acts, if you like. It all depends on your purpose and what you are trying to express.Ryan recommends you start with your characters first. Create them, and then let them lead you to a story and a structure. When you write a script this way, you come up with more original, specific, and complex material -- scripts that will last the test of time (god, no book ever talks about that). He shows you how to free up your unconscious imagination in order to create great characters and stories -- ones that have a fresh perspective, that, as he says, "gets past the obvious choice." He gives really clever ways to create magnetic characters and to create a really good scene. And his advice on how to get your script noticed, how to use process, was completely honest and, again, so, so, clear. I plan on visiting New York soon just to take his private workshop. I give this book a ten out of ten!

A must-read for anyone interested in filmmaking!

At last a book about the real process of screenwriting. Not just about "format" and "formula," Screenwriting from the Heart provides a step-by-step method by which any writer-- novice or veteran-- can write a rich and engaging screenplay. Mr. Ryan gives a craft to practice, a path to follow, and the tools needed. Beginning with the fundamentals of storytelling, the book uses personal experience and contemporary film examples to illustrate how a writer conceives a story and develops the detail that makes complex and compelling characters that lead to first-rate films. Character development serves as the means through which a screenplay is written-- rather than plot, like most screenwriting books suggest. Nurturing pointers, useful exercises, and cinematic lessons are sprinkled throughout. Buy it, digest it, mark it up, digest it again, mark it again. This book will become an old friend you'll turn to over and over for guidance and inspiration.