Читать книгу Writing Screenplays - Paul Peditto - Страница 3

Everyone has a story to tell. Never before have personal narratives gushed so profusely in North America as they do this present day. It seems everyone wants to tell his or her life story. Is it because we believe our lives are all unique, or is it that we think people can learn from our drama? Is it a combination of both? Regardless of the reasons writers have for wanting to tell their life stories, as long as people exist, there will never be a shortage of people wanting to put forth their life woes or adventures.

Do you think your life would make a good movie? Most people do, and the reason is simple: There is a story to tell in all of us.

The truth of the matter is, everyone does have a story worth telling, if he or she knows how to do it. That’s what this book is about — helping writers find that crossroad, locate that milestone, and hone in on that moment in time that has lessons for everyone. However, just because something has happened to you doesn’t necessarily mean it will make a good movie, but there are moments in everyone’s life that, with the right spin, could make for a dramatic work of art.

It’s also true that there are many books on the market regarding the subjects of screenplays and memoir writing; however, Writing Screenplays dares to be different. This pioneering how-to guide walks the reader through a step-by-step process of telling the true-life tale in screenplay format, which is uniquely different from the standard book format. The screenplay version of your life story will cut to the meat of your story and highlight the message you want to share. You could say this book is two books in one:

• It’s a book about honing in on your life’s most dramatic moments and fleshing out the story into something people would want to know.

• It’s a book about how to craft a story made for the screen (whether TV or the big screen).

It is our wish that you enjoy the adventures of Writing Screenplays and, at the very least, experience the wonderful and fun process of discovery by connecting with the moments in your life that made you the person you are today. Here’s a golden opportunity to share with the world the story that is unique to you and demands to be told.

The following are some of our favorite movies based on true stories:

Jessie’s picks:

• Antwone Fisher

• Men of Honor

• The Assassination of Richard Nixon

• Mississippi Burning

• Black Hawk Down

• Not Without My Daughter

• Deliberate Intent

• The People vs. Larry Flynt

• Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

• Seabiscuit

Paul’s picks:

• Bobby

• Marie Antoinette

• Capote

• Primary Colors

• Donnie Brasco

• Sylvia

• Factory Girl

• United 93

• GoodFellas

• W.

The Appendix contains coauthor Paul Peditto’s screenplay Pictures of Baby Jane Doe. It is a graphic story, based on a real person he knew. Real life is graphic so it was important to include this screenplay as an example.