One of the best books in the field of screenwriting

In a certain part of the book, a quote from Bergman about a famous scene of a character is presented

Bergman says about that scene as follows

The story that one person hears is not the same story that another person tells

(It is quoted in the text. I read the book many years ago and I couldn't find the exact quote in the book).

Great little book!

It not only provides assistance in writing and film analysis but also offers excellent advice for life, thanks to Dan Miller's musings in A Million Miles and/or Stranger Than Fiction. The reason is that "the elements that make up a good story, make up a good life."

This book is not for those who just want to write a successful screenplay. If you're simply interested in screenwriting advice, there are books like Screenwriting for Dummies that will teach you the craft in a more linear way.

This book is for the writer who desires to understand screenwriting, why it works, and how to align the screen with human experience. It delves into these mysterious waters. Tierno's genius lies in his simple connection between philosophy and writing, which is constructed with ancient advice and modern examples.

The book is divided into short chapters with clear headings and classic film examples. It is accessible to a wide audience, although it may not have much appeal outside those who are already attracted to character study.

Storytelling is an art form that has been around for centuries. It allows us to share our experiences, emotions, and ideas with others in a captivating and engaging way.

To become a good storyteller, it is essential to learn the structure of a story. A typical story consists of a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning sets the stage, introduces the characters and the setting, and hooks the audience's attention. The middle is where the action takes place, the conflict is developed, and the characters face challenges and obstacles. The end resolves the conflict, ties up loose ends, and provides a satisfying conclusion.

By understanding the structure of a story, you can create a more compelling and memorable narrative. You can also use different techniques such as悬念, foreshadowing, and character development to enhance your storytelling. So, whether you are telling a story to a group of friends, giving a presentation, or writing a book, learning the structure of storytelling is a valuable skill that can help you communicate effectively and connect with your audience.

Really 4.5 stars.

This was truly amazing! If you are in search of inspiration and seeking ways to enhance your writing by incorporating more of anything or everything, then this book is an absolute gem. Aaron Sorkin highly recommends Aristotle's Poetics. Instead of grappling with the original text, it is advisable to give this one a try. Tierno effectively conveys what Aristotle truly intended with his word choices and rules. He further provides clear and concise examples that aid in better understanding.

However, my only minor gripe with this book was that it seemed a bit short. I had the impression that it could have delved deeper into the concepts and offered more in-depth explanations. Nevertheless, despite this small drawback, this book is undoubtedly well worth both the money and the time invested. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills and gain a better understanding of the principles of effective communication through literature.

I should probably give this back to Mike at some point. This item that I have in my possession rightfully belongs to him. Maybe it's a book he lent me, or a tool he let me borrow. Whatever it is, I know that I need to return it. I've been holding onto it for a while now, and I feel a bit guilty. I keep meaning to give it back, but something always seems to come up. Whether it's work, or other commitments, I just haven't found the time. But I know that I can't put it off any longer. I need to make an effort to track Mike down and return this item to him. I'm sure he'll be happy to have it back, and I'll feel better knowing that I've done the right thing.

This book is extremely helpful. It provides a wealth of valuable information that has been beneficial to me on many occasions. However, I do have one minor criticism. I feel like Tierno was perhaps trying a bit too hard to make the information seem "modern" or "hip". At times, it came across as a bit forced or contrived.

Despite this small drawback, this book will definitely remain in my library. I am a screenwriter, and it has become an essential reference for me. Whenever I find myself stuck or confused about something related to my work, I often refer back to this book. It offers practical advice and insights that have helped me overcome many obstacles and improve the quality of my writing.

In conclusion, while the attempt to make the information seem modern may not have been entirely successful, the overall value of this book cannot be denied. It is a must-read for anyone in the field of screenwriting or anyone interested in learning more about the craft.

Exceptional!

Spectacular in that it explains the story arc as it has been explained for thousands of years. The concepts presented here are truly remarkable. They have not only helped me write screenplays with greater ease and clarity but also provided valuable insights into my own story writing process. By understanding these fundamental principles, I have been able to craft more engaging and compelling narratives. Moreover, this knowledge has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of history. The way stories have been told throughout the ages is a reflection of the values, beliefs, and cultures of different societies. Through the study of story arcs, I have been able to uncover the hidden meanings and messages within historical accounts, and gain a new perspective on the past. Overall, this has been an incredibly enriching and enlightening experience.

The Aristotle refresher and applications were truly great. They provided valuable insights and knowledge that could be applied in various aspects of life.

However, when it comes to the text itself, I didn't find it incredibly useful. Having read other script books, I had higher expectations.

The author's writing style also left something to be desired. In particular, his conclusions to each chapter seemed hokey. They didn't feel natural or well thought out.

Perhaps if the author had taken a different approach or had more experience in writing, the text would have been more engaging and useful.

Overall, while the Aristotle refresher and applications were good, the text and the author's writing style could have been improved.

This book was recommended by an author who specializes in writing books about screenplays. It is indeed a remarkable book.

I have a particular fondness for its emphasis on beginnings, middles, and endings. The book contains numerous selections of movies within its sections, such as Gladiator, Rocky, American Beauty, Rosemary's Baby, Terminator, and many more. These movie examples serve to illustrate the discussions in the text.

I have highlighted several passages throughout the book. For example, "A good movie reveals poignant truths of the human experience in either a small or big way, depending on the kind of movie it is." (p. 5) Or, "The audience must experience a systematic buildup through'stages,' culminating in the hero's reversal of fortune in a way that arouses their empathy." (p. 93) Another example is, "Great screenwriters know how to feed information to the audience through the eyes of characters, such as when Lester sees Angela at the pep rally and fantasizes about her [American Beauty]." (p. 127) And, "Dialog is part of the action and gets its power from the plot." (p. 130).

From this book, I learned how dialog can be used to reveal the qualities of a character and move the story along at different paces that are unique to the story plot. It taught me how to look at the overall dramatic effect of the craft of screenwriting, how to envision the action and hear the dialogue.

Lastly, "Instead of 'write what you know,' Aristotle is telling you to write what you truly feel, or truly experience in your heart." (p. 142) This is an exemplary example of story structuring.

This book has been a valuable resource for me in understanding the art of screenwriting and has provided me with many insights and techniques that I can apply to my own work.

I now have a clear understanding of why this book is highly acclaimed as a valuable resource for screenwriters and writers in general.

It offers a wealth of useful information that is presented in a clear and concise manner, along with impressive insights.

The only drawback is that the chapter endings can be a bit ridiculous and corny. However, this is a minor complaint considering the overall usefulness of the read.

Whether you are interested in writing, movie-making, or drama, this book is an excellent resource. It provides practical tips and techniques that can help you improve your skills and bring your creative ideas to life.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to enhance their understanding and knowledge in these areas.

The article is rife with irritating typographical errors and asinine encouragement.

However, it does offer an interesting breakdown of the Poetics.

It's a pity that it lacks the full text of Aristotle's work, which is a bit shocking.

This omission makes it difficult for readers to fully understand and analyze the concepts presented in the Poetics.

Despite the interesting breakdown, the presence of numerous typographical errors and the absence of the full text detract from the overall quality of the article.

It would be beneficial if the author could correct the errors and include the full text to provide a more comprehensive and accurate analysis of the Poetics.

Overall, while the article has some redeeming qualities, it needs significant improvement to be a truly useful resource for those interested in the Poetics.

This is a truly remarkable book that is filled with an abundance of applicable advice.

What I truly appreciate about this book is the fact that the author has generously shared his personal experience.

This sharing serves as a powerful reminder of just how crucial it is to actually tell stories in order to become a really good storyteller.

It's not a book that is meant to be simply studied in a theoretical sense.

Rather, it is a practical guide that is designed to be used and implemented in real life.

By following the advice and learning from the author's experiences, readers can enhance their storytelling skills and become more effective communicators.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their ability to tell engaging and impactful stories.