In past weeks we looked at the importance of a good plot in your script. We then looked at the role of characters and how to develop them. We also looked at how to structure your script when it comes to the writing of it.

This week we look at some useful resources which will help you in writing your script.

Resources

Scriptwriting Books
Here are some books, with reviews, you may find useful and links to purchase them:

Internet Links
Here are some internet links on writing and specifically script writing:

Kathleen King -Thorough discussion about plot.
http://www.isu.edu/%7Ekingkath/ch5.html

Scr(i)pt Magazine -An often updated online magazine about script writing.
http://www.scriptmag.com/

The Writers Journey -Joseph Campbell influenced online resource by Christopher Vogler.
http://www.thewritersjourney.com/

Mentioned Movies

Here are the films, with reviews, mentioned in this article and links to purchase them:

Alternative Narratives

Here are a few books I’d recommend who’s narrative structure and overall pacing gave me valuable insights into my own writing process:

Next Week we show how Joseph Campbell's theory can be applied to any hollywood film.

Watchmen
by Alan Moore

 A graphic novel of immense power and one that took the comic form and broke into the mainstream. It has a style I’d describe a filmic; using almost storyboard like structures, cutting to flashbacks, alternative timelines and soliloquies. Alan Moore is an incredibly talented writer and though he’s been around for a while now, expect to hear his name discussed more and more often.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen

Slaughterhouse Five
by Kurt Vonnegut

 Written about the fire bombing of Dresden during World War Two, you’d expect a head read, but the narrative style zipping between first person character, first person writer, third person and completely disconnected in both time and space. Moments a funny, others are moving and profoundly sad. As a model of innovation and powerful content, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaughterhouse-Five

Hideous Progeny
by Brian Willis (Editor)

Having used Frankenstein as an example in my article, it seems only natural to plug a work by a writing group I know and admire. This tome collects short stories giving an alternative perspective on the Frankenstein theme. Particularly good is the short story by scriptwriter Stephen Volk, who wrote the award winning BBC drama ‘Ghostwatch’.
http://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/hideous.html

The Hero With A Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell

This is a monster work analysing hundreds of stories from cultures, time periods and places all over the world. It is a very accurate work that leaves no stone unturned in getting to the root of the material. As you may have heard, hugely influential on George Lucas and so the ideas in this book form the basis of the most successful film franchise ever.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_with_a_Thousand_Faces

The Complete Book of Scriptwriting
by J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski has written a useful and informative guide to the processes he uses and the lessons he’s learnt. It contains a complete script for a Hugo award winning episode of his major creation, Babylon 5.

He has both his detractors and loyal fans. Personally I think season 2 to 4 of Babylon 5 excellently combines small local plots and larger ongoing plots well. It also manages to keep surprising the audience as to exactly what’s going to happen. It’s just a shame they rushed the ending in season 4. In summary, not everyone likes his work - but he knows what he’s talking about, as he’s a successful published and filmed writer and you can’t say fairer than that.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Scriptwriting-Michael-Straczynski/dp/0898795125

The Writers Journey
by Christopher Vogler

 A distillation of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero of a Thousand Faces and a discussion of it’s application to the Hollywood mainstream. An interesting read even if you are not planning of writing a film by somebody who does have actual Hollywood experience to draw upon.
http://www.mwp.com/books/writing/writers-journal.php4

Successful Script Writing
by Jurgen Wolff & Kerry Cox

A good look at the various stages that go into writing a script. Also covers the different formats in far greater detail that this article has. Also useful for the inclusion of pearls of wisdom by various successful scriptwriters.
http://www.amazon.com/Successful-Scriptwriting-Jurgen-Wolff/dp/0898794498

Alternative Scriptwriting: Writing beyond the Rules
by Ken Dancyger

The book aims to challenge it’s readers in how to create writing that is exceptional. While no book can possibly replace your own creative vision, as a resource it’s thorough and is good way to help yourself consider alternative ideas.
http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=70

Star Wars
directed by George Lucas

What can I say that’s not already been said? Doubted by the studios upon it’s inception. 20th Century Fox considered selling it’s stake in the project. Irony indeed that it was this film and it’s sequels that saved the Fox from bankruptcy years later. A great film that must be seen.
http://www.starwars.com/

Frankenstein
directed by James Whale

Dr. Frankenstein has the knowledge to create life itself, with disastrous consequences. There have been many film version’s of Mary Shelly’s gothic novel. This 1931 version adapted by Peggy Webling and directed by James Whale, himself the subject of the film ‘Gods and Monsters’ remains an all time classic monster movie.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0021884/

Harvey
Directed by Henry Koster

James Stewart as a loveable and friendly drunk who’s affable ways seem to annoy those around him. The hidden knowledge he carries comes from an invisible six-foot rabbit that follows him around. As the film transpires it is his knowledge, shared with his rabbit, that offers a better life to the other characters in the film.
http://www.filmogs.com/moviedetails.php?id=421

Wall Street
Directed by Oliver Stone

Written by the director Oliver Stone and Stanley Weiser, this is a modern day rags to riches story with a head moral tone of greed. The immortal words of uber-yuppie Gordon Gekko, “Greed is good”, become an attack on the shallow money obsessed 80s and in retrospect, more poignant that ever.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street_(film)

A Streetcar Named Desire
Directed by Elia Kazan

Incredibly moody black and white visuals, powerful performances from Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. Add this to the stunning writing of Tennessee Williams, adapted for the film by Oscar Saul and it’s a great amongst film adaptations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Streetcar_Named_Desire_%28film%29

The Matrix
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers

It has been said that ‘The Matrix’ is the first 21st Century film as for the first time ever both time and space and simultaneously be held while the motion of the audience remains unobstructed. Like ‘Star Wars’ the writing of this film plugs into ancient mythic ideas. Here the writers, the Wachowski Brothers, have created a modern day tale of the messiah figure in Keanu Reeves’s character Neo. A Stunning film.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix