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Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story
- Narrated by: Angus Fletcher
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Art
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Summary
Whether you want to write your own scripts or simply gain a deeper appreciation for the great stories you see unfold on the screen, Professor Angus Fletcher is here to show you the way in Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story. Professor Fletcher, Professor of English and Film at The Ohio State University, brings both a personal and scholarly perspective to this craft. As a screenwriter himself, he has experienced the ins and outs of the process first-hand. And as a key faculty member in Project Narrative, a think tank devoted to using cognitive science to study the effects of stories on the human mind, Professor Fletcher offers unique insight into storytelling from both a neuroscientific and a literary perspective.
Despite what you may have been told, writing a great script is not about formulas and three-act structure. Great scripts - great stories - are those that create the desired emotional response in audiences, something that can only be achieved by knowing which methods are most effective and how they suit the story you want to tell. As you study the work of over a dozen great screenwriters and several television shows, each story you encounter will use different tools to achieve a variety of psychological and emotional responses. From the redemption arc of the Western Unforgiven to the romantic longing of Annie Hall, each story offers invaluable insights you can bring to your own writing - and viewing - experiences.
There is no cookie-cutter formula for writing scripts and no checklist for what makes a film or television show great. What Screenwriting 101 offers instead is an infinitely flexible storytelling tool that has worked for the greats - from Euripides to Shakespeare to Pixar - and a selection of resources to show you how to put it to use. How you decide to use these limitless creative possibilities is up to you.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What listeners say about Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Srjane
- 16-11-18
Inspirational- will keep it by me for reference
This book works on many levels, there is analysis of films (some I’ve seen and some not), tools and techniques. It is not for the faint hearted either. There are exercises to do which are difficult to do if listening on audible, but will be useful if you can manage. I watch films and soaps etc with new insights which, to some extent, has stopped some of the surprise and enjoyment but is the price to pay to join a successful screenwriters club. You can also use the majority of the course to improve any writing and to engage the reader. Good job
7 people found this helpful
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- ian
- 12-02-19
Fascinating! One of the best
One of the best things I have listened to on screenwriting. An absolutely fascinating perspective on how to write screenplays. Doesn't dwell on inciting incidents, or 3 act structure, turns, etc. Instead, it focuses on the end goal, the end cognitive goal of the script, and how various scripts like Pulp Fiction, Unforgiven, Fargo, get there. Some may find the repetition irritating, in how it starts the breakdown of each script, but this is a paltry whine. A great buy!
6 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 14-03-20
Too much unnecessary waffle.
Most chapters could have been halved or even a quarter of the length, if the author removed to waffle and got to the point quicker. On purchasing the book I was excited to have such an extensive course to begin but, within a few chapters, I sadly realised that it is so long because it is poorly written. If you like long meandering listens that feel like the author just likes to go on and on about quite basic and obvious points then this might be for you.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kieran McLoughlin
- 26-08-20
One of the best series on storytelling
Not what I was expecting, but in a brilliant way. What I originally expected was a bare bones breakdown into how to write a screenplay. Instead, what I got was a comprehensive breakdown on how to tell stories, and how films and TV do this. Truly, it was an insightful and throughly fascinating account on how to dissect stories and how to write them like the best. Absolutely recommend this course, regardless of what kind of writer you are. It will absolutely help you jump to the next level.
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- Chris Boland
- 18-08-20
One of the best things I've listened to.
This really is an absolute masterclass in scriptwriting. It's constantly insightful and inspiring. I'm sure I'll listen to this again.
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- Kindle Customer
- 11-02-18
it's great
the lecture is well narrated and offers more than a dozen excellent plot analysis. It's only weak point is it's repetative style, though it may just be me. The prof. makes his point in the first third of the courseand the rest is emphasizing this method in a myriad of examples. It wasn't the best Great Course I've listened to but it's in the top 5.
18 people found this helpful
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- Siobhan Bailey
- 14-04-18
Screenwriting 101 - Angus Fletcher
I have read at least 30 books on the craft of screenwriting. This is by far the BEST there is hands down. Wish I had this 4 years ago when I started.
22 people found this helpful
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- Andrew
- 04-03-18
best class
who knew that Toy Story had ties to Hamlet or that Pulp Fiction is so deep. this couese helps you discover that. The professor tells you up front that even if you don't want to write scripts you will come away witb a deeper understanding of storytelling. I did. this course makes me want to go back and watch Unforgiven again, Casablanca, and Game of Thrones. Highly recommend this course for storytellers and those who appreciate good stories. If you don't appreciate a good story, you will after this.
14 people found this helpful
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- WaltyS
- 07-06-18
Quick paced and deep
I love the pace of the narrator as much as I love all the details he shares in how to take the audience on an emotional ride.
5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-12-17
Unexpected exercises
This ends every chapter with exercises. That's a great thing. Buuuut... I listen while I drive, which I happen to do for a living. So I can't say anything about how good or bad they are. The rest was pretty good. He breaks down 12 or so classic screenplays. Well done.
17 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-02-19
overview of the script writing process.
This audio book gives a great set of observational tools to work with. The approach used is very easy to listen to and learn from.
3 people found this helpful
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- William Mlodynia
- 02-01-19
loved it!
This was very enjoyable and informative, will listen again. There shouldn't be a minimum amount of words you have to use in your review.
6 people found this helpful
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- De'Von Walker
- 26-07-18
Great book for screenplay beginners.
loved the details it gave on the writing process and the breakdown on how to get started. Finished the audiobook and wrote a short script right after.
6 people found this helpful
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- Matt
- 10-12-19
Phenomenal
I've been searching for this kind of course for 8 years. Totally changed my view on the craft of writing.
2 people found this helpful
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- lizzy
- 31-07-18
Awesome content, awesome audio
This book uses various movies to illustrate each point. You will want to watch every movie mentioned in this book. This is the kind of book you should listen to with friends, watch the movies being lectured about and then have lively discussions. Fantastic book!
2 people found this helpful