The Hollywood Screenwriter

An Insider's Guide to Professional Screenwriting

By: Robert L. McCullough

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

There has never been a better time to be a screenwriter.
The recent explosion of cable and streaming services has created a huge demand for movies, limited series, and those long running “bingeable” shows that can hook viewers for years.

Before streaming cable networks, the internet, and home entertainment systems radically changed how we consume our entertainment, there was a clear dividing line between writing for feature films and writing for television.

That distinction no longer exists. Most major writers, filmmakers and movie stars are now eager to work on projects for the constantly evolving universe of distribution channels. Once you break in and get that first script sold or that first writing assignment, it’s an open playing field for anyone who can deliver the kind of material that attracts an audience.

The trick is to learn the craft and the strategies for navigating the business and to start writing...and then to persevere.

Yes, there’s a lot of competition out there...but there has never been more opportunity for new writers either.

So whether you’ve just got an amazing idea for a movie, or you’ve started your first script and need to know what to do next...or if you’ve already got a few scripts under your belt but haven’t quite crashed the studio gates yet...this book will get you on track.

You'll quickly learn the writing skills you need before you start a script...how to choose the right story to work on...the difference between concept and story...whether or not to outline first...understanding your script’s structure...dealing with screenplay format...finding the true character in your characters...dealing with conflict...tips and tricks of dialogue...what to do with your finished script.

Each chapter covers individual topics you can build on. By applying the techniques and strategies in this book, you’ll be on your way to crafting a marketable script...and to taking the next big steps toward your professional film and television writing career.

Content is fine, but used an AI recording…

The content of this book is fine: concise and useful information. But I can’t believe a screenwriter used AI to record this audiobook, especially after the strikes. That really calls the authors’ professionalism and WGA commitments into question, not to mention the AI reading didn’t even do a great job. Don’t preach about formatting, and use technology that reads “EXT.” as “extension.”