 | Final Draft Version 8
Buy new: $193.49 / Used from: $180.99 This is a highly intuitive and easy to use software program that can get you writing in minutes. It's amazing how it can check for formatting errors, anticipate the next element and turn out a great looking product on PDF. This is the Cadillac of screenwriting programs.
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 | Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert Mckee
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $17.99 The granddaddy of structure books isn't an easy read, but it's well worth it. McKee uses plenty of examples to illustrate his points about how to build a story, although he often relies on "Chinatown," "Casablanca" and Ingmar Bergman's films to make his points. It's not a book for beginners
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 | The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style (Hollywood Standard: The Complete & Authoritative Guide to) by Christopher Riley
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $21.05 An authoritative book on how to word and organize what you're envisioning in your screenplay. The book is easy to search and includes more variations of formatting conventions than any other book I've read.
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 | The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition by Christopher Vogler
Buy new: $17.79 / Used from: $14.99 This is an excellent book for any writer, not just screenwriters. It borrows heavily from Joseph Campbell's work into myths and their universality. It can help you compare your story to the classics to help your plotting.
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 | The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script by David Trottier
Buy new: $15.61 / Used from: $14.00 Very good all-purpose screenwriting book. If you're looking to buy just one book, this is probably the best collection of how to get from an idea to an outline to a screenplay to a marketable product. The worksheets are very helpful, too.
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 | On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $5.00 Another great book for all writers, not just screenwriters.
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 | How to Write a Movie in 21 Days by Viki King
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $4.70 Viki King's approach is warm and fuzzy. She offers a practical approach to getting a rough draft done for revisions later.
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 | America in the Movies by Michael Wood
Buy new: $29.50 / Used from: $3.45 This little book is terrific! It gets at the soul of how movies shape our lives.
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 | Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field
Buy new: $6.34 / Used from: $6.48 Syd Field is probably the best known screenwriting teacher and this is a basic book to get you going. I find his approach a bit formulaic, but it's good to know the rules before you get good enough to break them.
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 | Wausau Paper Index Card Stock, 90 lb, Letter, Pastel Ivory, 250 Sheets per Pack (49181)
Buy new: $9.99 Sometimes you need a paper script instead of sending a PDF. Make sure to put cardstock on the front and back of your script.
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 | Acco Solid Brass Fasteners, 1 1/4 Inch Capacity, 100 Count, (A7071505)
Buy new: $8.79 Use an Acco #5 fastener on the top and bottom holes of your script.
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 | Hammermill 86702 Great White Recycled Copy Paper, 3-Hole, 8-1/2x11, 500 sheets/ream, 10 Reams/ct
Buy new: $52.19 It's easier to print your script on paper that's already three-hole-punched instead of messing with a hole puncher.
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 | Moleskine Small Plain Notebook
Buy new: $9.90 Beautifully made little journals with quality paper and very good portability. The notebook of Hemingway and Picasso!
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 | Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen, Medium Point, Black Barrel/Black Ink PIL90010
Buy new: $0.89 / Used from: $5.00 I love writing longhand with fountain pens, but it's tough to run out of ink and have to use the converter or a cartridge. These disposables are really good and come in a variety of colors. Once they're dry, chuck them out.
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