Television and Screenwriting: From Concept to Contract

By Richard A. Blum

Book Overview

Television and Screen Writing, Third Edition explains specific, proven techniques for writing marketable scripts and reveals the secret of how to create the driving force that is the cure of all commercially successful TV and motion picture scripts. Updated appendices include listings of screenwriting festivals and professional workshops, film/video commissions and arts agencies, major studios and production companies, TV networks, Cable and Pay TV, and professional unions and associations. Television and Screen Writing reveals how to write successful scripts for television and motion pictures, and how to effectively market them. To be successful, screenwriters must learn techniques to guide them from the germination of an idea to the revision of the final draft. Episodic television, long-form television, and motion pictures all share certain needs; the development of producible stories, appealing and castable characters, credible dialogue, expert structure, and skillful visualization. Dr. Richard Blum is Professor of Screenwriting at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He served as head of filmwriting at the University of Maryland, and is an internationally recognized authority in the field. Dr. Blum has been a consultant for Warner Bros. TV's prestigious comedy writers' workshop and for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowships. He is a former executive for Columbia Pictures-TV, working on shows like "I Dream of Jeannie," "Bewitched," and "The Flying Nun." He was a consultant for Columbia Pictures, and served as senior program officer for the National Endowment for the Humanities, overseeing many award-winning productions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0240801946
• ISBN13: 9780240801940
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Focal Press
• Length: 299 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Door Opener for the TV Market

This book starts at the beginning and points out the path from the beginning thought concept of a TV Show to the end product. It guides you past the pitfalls of the unique style of writing for Television. A hand holding guide to overcome the maze and pitfalls of required formats and style that is required to submit a professional work that will help your get reviewed. Well thought out and a good read.

If you can learn to write from a book, this is the book.

If it is possible to learn how to write a screenplay from a book, this is that book. Not only is it a good guide to teach writing, but it is also an essential reference. I have it on the lower shelf next to my computer so I can reach it at a moments notice. I am constantly looking things up in it, from formatting to contract minimums to Internet addresses.The book is well organized, well indexed, and easy to read. Even if you know how to write, this book is essential as a ready reference on almost any topic.From start to finish, Blum guides you through the process of writing Movie and TV scripts. A++

A Classic Revised

Richard Blum's Television and Screen Writing (4th Edition) is a welcome revision of one of the classic books for writers by a professional from within the industry who also happens to be a topnotch screenwriting teacher. It provides a wealth of information that all aspiring TV and screenwriters need. Dr. Blum leads you through the writing process with numerous examples. However, Dr. Blum goes much deeper by discussing character, dialogue, and how to create stories with scenes that work for the story and not against it. The Fourth Edition also has insights into animation and new media, daytime serials and talk shows, and, most important of all, how to market what you write. Read it thoroughly and then go back and read it again. This book is an invaluable resource.

Highly Recommended!

I first read this book in college, and I've continued to refer back to it since I've been screenwriting professionally. It's loaded with tips to make your work better, AND to make it professional.

Excelent, practical advise and information.

Of the many screenwriting books available, "Television and Screenwriting: From Concept to Contract" is one that hits all the right points. From spotting the most common problems with bad dialouge to a great list of contests and contacts, this book will help you write your screenplay or help you figure out what's wrong with the one you just finished.