The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

Much of Trottier's advice is common sense: "Don't write anything that cannot appear on the screen"; to keep casting options open, don't make your physical descriptions too specific; "don't say Ron Howard is looking at the project if he is not." But there are things to know about Hollywood that are, well, quirkier. Don't write the title of your script on the front cover or side binding; present action sequences using the "stacking action" style; in query letters and scripts alike, avoid "big blocks of black ink." Trottier's guidance--from character development and revision to queries and pitches--is invaluable. Getting in the door can seem impossible, but it's not, necessarily. "If you write a script that features a character who has a clear and specific goal," says Trottier, "where there is strong opposition to that goal leading to a crisis and an emotionally satisfying ending, your script will automatically find itself in the upper five percent."

(By the way, MOS is said to have "originated with German director Eric von Stroheim, who would tell his crew, 'Ve'll shoot dis mid out sound'"). --Jane Steinberg

Product Description
This is six books in one. Book 1 - A screenwriting primer that provides a concise presentation of screenwriting basics. Book 2 - A workbook that walks the writer through the writing process, from nascent ideas through revisions. Book 3 - A formatting guide that presents correct formats for both screenplays and TV scripts. Book 4 - A spec writing guide that demonstrates today's spec style through sample scenes and analysis. Book 5 - A sales and marketing guide that presents proven strategies to help you create a laser-sharp marketing plan. Book 6 - A resource guide that provides addresses and contacts for industry organisations, schools, publications, support groups, services, contests, etc. Among its wealth of practical information are sample query letters, useful worksheets and checklists, hundreds of examples, sample scenes, and straightforward explanations of screenwriting fundamentals.

The writing primer section presents all of the sreenwriting fundamentals. It's perfect for novices and a good review for professionals. The workbook asks hundreds of questions that I use to keep me on track. I love the Character/Action Grid--an excellent revision tool. The formatting guide is easy to understand--I like it much better than Cole and Haag's classic. The marketing plan is what's helping me the most right now; it's very focused. Obviously the author knows the business. The resources section includes all the contests, script consultants, software, etc.

It's not the last word on s! ! creenwriting, especially for old pros; but it guides you in every aspect of screenwriting in clear, concise language. And it covers the basics. The book is jam-packed with info you can use.


An Invaluable Reference Tool for Screenwriters   November 6, 2001
121 out of 123 found this review helpful

Want to know the difference between "O.S." (off-screen) and "V.O." (voiceover), and when to use each? How about that between "Intercut" and "Match Cut?" Then you want to buy "The Screenwriters Bible," script consultant David Trottier's encyclopedic reference on creating memorable characters, on storytelling, and especially on formatting. I am an optioned writer, who has written several scripts (and TV sitcoms), yet I find Trottier's work an invaluable reference.

"The Screenwriter's Bible" is also useful as a marketing tool, especially his sample project plan and action plan, which all writers will find useful as a template. Remember, your great spec script is a business proposal as much as anything else, for a project which will run well into 8 figures, in most cases. Approach it with the same care and attention to detail that you would if you were trying to sell your garage software development firm to Microsoft.

Unlike many "How-to" screenwriting books, Trottier's sample query letters are actually quite entertaining. If I were a Hollywood suit, I'd bite at the sample "Wizard of Oz" example.

This book won't tell you how to write a great story (that's something that really can't be taught), but it will help you get the mechanics of the trade down. There are many terrible scripts which have been made into movies, but virtually all of them (even those starring Pauly Shore) get the details correct.

In summation, if I had to pick just one screenwriting book, this would be my first choice.


FINALLY!   February 21, 2000
Stephen L. Priori (Trenton, NJ)
34 out of 37 found this review helpful

The only reason I gave this book 5 stars is because, frankly, I couldn't give it 6 stars. As a beginning screenwriter, I became very discouraged when I could not find any reference manuals on spec scripts. Many were formal production script manuals that gave you everything you didn't need to know for getting a spec script formated properly. I began thinking anyone interested in screen writing is already working for the production company who already buys scripts for production (There must be a "spec script fairly" out there somewhere). Before this book, there were actually times when I put my writing off for the simple fact that I would have a fear of getting stuck trying to figure out what to include and what not to format-wise and have it interfere with the creative process.

But know thanks to this "Bible," it gives every answer to every to every question asked by a beginning screen writer trying to get his or her spec script in the proper format to get into the market. And that's just for formatting. I haven't even started to look at the last two books of the Screenwriter's Bible on marketing and references and if it's anything like the previous ones, I should be able to find every avenue available for getting my script at least read.

The Screenwriter's Bible is sectioned off into different parts for the different processes of the getting your screenplay off the ground and does a great job doing it. Can't think of anything that was missed. Thank you David Trotteir! I only wish that Hollywood will be as fair as you are.


A Lot to Digest   June 5, 2000
yarden (portland, or)
28 out of 31 found this review helpful

Trottier's hook for The Screenwriter's Bible is that it's actually six books in one. Not bad for less than $20. Pretty much, this book includes everything you need to know about the screenwriting business -- especially if you're a rookie.

With six completely different books, it's easy to find the information you need to start on the road to screenwriting stardom. The sections cross-reference, so the book can be a tad bit repetitive at times, but this is useful as it grounds important facts into your brain.

One of the things I appreciated about this book was the information on writing for TV as well as the Silver Screen. I also appreciated the detailed treatment of that oh-so-important detail, STRUCTURE of your script.

Because of the price and the sheer amount of information included, I give this book five stars: good value, good information, pleasant writing -- a winner!


The Most Practical Book on Screenwriting Basics   May 19, 2008
C. J. Singh (Berkeley, California, USA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE, in one volume, comprises six substantial guidebooks:

Book I: How to Write a Screenplay--A Primer;
Book II: 7 Steps to a Stunning Script--A Workbook;
Book III: Proper Formatting Technique--A Style Guide;
Book IV: Writing & Revising Your Breakthrough--A Script Consultant's View;
Book V: How to Sell Your Script--A Marketing Plan;
Book VI: Resources and General Index.

The book's large format 386 pages, eleven by eight-and-a-half inches, would equal at least 600 pages in the more common format of nine-by-six inches.

Book I: How to Write a Screenplay. Aptly subtitled a primer, it presents a compact introduction to screenwriting. In particular, Trottier focuses on the three-act structure with six key turning or plot points: the catalyst; the big event; the pinch (or midpoint); the crisis (low point); the showdown; the realization. Throughout, the author includes examples from well-known films.

Book II: 7 Steps to a Stunning Script. This workbook includes 25 checkpoint lists and a character/action grid.

Book III: Proper Formatting Technique--A Style Guide. "The spec script is the selling script, sometimes called the writer's draft. You write it with the idea of selling it later or circulating it as a sample. Once it is sold and goes into pre-production, it will be transformed into a shooting script, also known as the production draft. The spec-script style avoids camera angles, editing directions, and technical intrusions" (page 114). To illustrate formatting a spec script, Trottier includes his humorous three-page script "The Perspicacious Professor." This book convinced me to use the author's software "Dr Format" instead of "Final Draft."

Book IV: Writing & Revising Your Breakthrough--A Script Consultant's View. Trottier provides tips on "how to direct the camera without using camera directions" and exercises, based on his clients' scripts, to guide reader in revising to current spec-writing style.

Book V: How to Sell Your Script--A Marketing Plan. In addition to numerous suggestions on marketing, Trottier cautions screenwriters to protect their works. "Registering one's copyright and displaying the copyright notice on the script's title page is no longer seen as something done by paranoid writers." Writers Guild of America will register one-page synopsis, longer treatments, as well as draft(s) of a screenplay.

Book VI: Resources and General Index. This book includes several lists containing "carefully selected entries." I promptly looked up the first entry: "Updates to The Screenwriter's Bible" on the author's website... and found a useful tip on formatting as well as revisions on one of the exercises in Book IV. Presumably these changes will be included in the next edition.

Five shining stars to this book.
-- C J Singh