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Prewriting Your Screenplay
A Step-by-Step Guide to Generating Stories
by Michael Tabb
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Book Presentation:
Prewriting Your Screenplay cements all the bricks of a story’s foundations together and forms a single, organic story-growing technique, starting with a blank slate. It shows writers how to design each element so that they perfectly interlock together like pieces of a puzzle, creating a stronger story foundation that does not leave gaps and holes for readers to find. This construction process is performed one piece at a time, one character at a time, building and incorporating each element into the whole.
The book provides a clear-cut set of lessons that teaches how to construct that story base around concepts as individual as the writer’s personal opinions, helping to foster an individual writer’s voice. It also features end-of-chapter exercises that offer step-by-step guidance in applying each lesson, providing screenwriters with a concrete approach to building a strong foundation for a screenplay. This is the quintessential book for all writers taking their first steps towards developing a screenplay from nothing, getting them over that first monumental hump, resulting in a well-formulated story concept that is cohesive and professional.
About the Author:
Michael Tabb has developed projects for and with Universal Studios, Disney Feature Animation, Intrepid Pictures, the Canton Company at Warner Brothers; producers Paul Schiff, Sean Daniel, and Lawrence Bender; directors Thor Freudenthal and Mike Newell; comic book icon Stan Lee; and actor Dustin Hoffman. A decadelong current and active WGAW member, Tabb serves on the WGAW Writer’s Education Committee and co-created the union’s first mentor program. Tabb has lectured at writers conferences from coast to coast and in classrooms at Florida State University, UCLA, and USC, having tested his story-development theories as a multiple award–winning MFA professor at Full Sail University.
With a love of giving back, Michael has spoken on entertainment writing for UCLA, NYU, USC, FSU, Columbia College of Chicago’s Semester in L.A., Florida’s and San Diego’s Writers Conferences, Screenwriters’ World Conference, Comic-Con International, film festivals, and his union, the Writers’ Guild of America, West (WGA). Michael volunteered time to guest instruct inner-city youths for the Writers’ Guild Foundation Community Outreach Program and serves on the WGAW’s Writer’s Education Committee. He co-created and spearheaded the WGA Mentor Program from its inception for its New Members’ Committee. Michael is a multiple award-winning, MFA screenwriting educator for Full Sail University. He was educated at USC, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television Professional Program in Screenwriting.
Press Reviews:
"Tabb's book asks you to look deep within yourself and answer a fundamental question: why are you writing this particular story? Why are you even writing in the first place? It gives you some very pragmatic tools to help make your writing more soulful and authentic."
—David S. Goyer, WGA Screenwriter/Creator; The Blade and Batman Begins Trilogies, Dark City, Jumper, The Puppet Masters; TV’s Krypton, Da Vinci’s Demons, Constantine, Flash Forward; Video Games Call of Duty: Black Ops I & II
"A comprehensive, honest, and heart-felt look at the craft of screenwriting. Writers at all levels will find something in this book to inspire them to do their best work."
—Nicole Perlman, WGA Writer, Guardians of the Galaxy, First Man, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Detective Pikachu, Sherlock Holmes 3
"The best way I can think to get yourself writing again if you’re stuck would be to have Michael Tabb come over with a bottle of bourbon and a couple of glasses and talk you through things. The second-best way would be to buy this book and read it. You can supply your own bourbon."
—Bill Prady, WGA Writer/Creator, The Big Bang Theory, The Muppets, Gilmore Girls, Dharma & Greg, Caroline in the City, Dream On
"Michael Tabb has thought long, hard, and usefully about how to write screenplays with vision and intent. He understands premise, character, conflict, and drama; Far more importantly, he can impart wisdom about all of them without condescending or ‘dumbing down.’ I know of no better guide to the work of writing that happens before we write."
—Howard A. Rodman, President, Writers Guild of America (WGA); WGA Writer, August, Saving Grace, Takedown
"Are you a writer? Then you’re a fraud, right? Every time you stare at that empty page, you feel it in your bones. The movies I have written have grossed over five billion in the box office, and STILL, I feel like a fraud every time I start a new project. When I read Michael’s book, I felt a lot better. Michael is not only a great screenwriter, but he understands how to explain screenwriting in a way that I never could and in a way that helped me move forward. It is so strange to have a decent man you know help you, through his writing, to become a better writer. I got a free copy of his book on my shelf, but I would’ve paid for it. Writers like Michael who help other writers understand the art or the craft of screenwriting are truly among our best and brightest. Think about it. He is helping his own competition! Only a wise and true class act would ever do that. This book is yours. Consume it!"
—Roberto Orci, WGA Writer/Creator, Transformers 1 & 2, Star Trek 1, 2 & 3, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, People Like Us, The Legend of Zorro, Mission: Impossible III; TV’s High School 51, Sleepy Hallow, Hawaii five-0, Fringe, Alias, Matador, Xena, Hercules
"Tabb provides an insightful and engaging guide to the process of breaking story and character. Writers looking to set a strong foundation for their first or next script would be well served by reading Prewriting."
—Carlton Cuse, WGA Writer/Creator, San Andreas, Rampage; TV’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Lost, The Colony, Bates Motel, The Strain, Nash Bridges, Martial Law, Crime Story
"It’s vitally important for aspiring writers to understand that a professional screenwriting career is built upon the relentless pursuit of asking the right creative questions and then finding the most satisfying answers. In his new book, Prewriting Your Screenplay, writer and teacher Michael Tabb generously shares his innovative approach to meeting that challenge. His original method of generating story, character, and theme will be valuable to both veterans and novices, and should help any writer get past the fear of writers block."
—Jeff Melvoin, Emmy Award-winning Television Writer/Producer, Chair of the Writers Education Committee of the Writers Guild of America, West; Designated Survivor, Army Wives, Alias, Early Edition, Northern Exposure, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele
"I wish I had this book when I was just starting out — but it’s still immensely helpful. An indispensable handbook of the craft written by a seasoned veteran and accomplished writer. A must read for anyone serious about screenwriting."
—Marc Guggenheim, WGA Writer/Creator, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Green Lantern; TV’s Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, No Ordinary Family, Eli Stone, CSI: Miami, Law & Order; Video Games Singularity, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Call of Duty 3, Perfect Dark Zero
"The book every writer has been waiting for -- a step by step guide to nourish and develop your idea for a screenplay, book or story. Invaluable and vital."
—Evan Spiliotopoulos, WGA Writer, Beauty and the Beast, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Hercules, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
"Michael understands the nuts and bolts of storytelling like no one else — Whether you’re penning your first script or your thirtieth, this book will make you a better writer."
—Damon Lindelof, WGA Writer/Producer/Creator, Star Trek (2009), Star Trek: Into Darkness, World War Z, Prometheus; TV’s Lost, The Watchmen, The Leftovers, Nash Bridges, Crossing Jordon
"Michael Tabb's book will challenge writers to do the hard work in polishing that rough idea into a clear artistic vision. I wish this book was around when I was writing my first screenplay, or even my forth screenplay."
—Edward Ricourt, WGA Writer, Now You See Me 1 & 2, Jessica Jones, Wayward Pines
"Teachers of screenwriting often miss the most basic truth that writing should be fun and that writers should work from their gut, not from their fear of rejection. In Prewriting Your Screenplay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Generating Stories, Mike Tabb simplifies the process of story writing and character development to its most essential elements, in the process inviting the reader to embark on the joyful journey of self-discovery that is screenwriting."
—Douglas Day Stewart, WGA Screenwriter/DGA Director, An Officer and a Gentleman, The Blue Lagoon, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, Thief of Hearts, Listen to Me
"Writing for television means you cannot afford to have writer’s block, and coming up with new ideas is the hardest part of the job. I wish I’d read this book years ago! Prewriting has an original premise, which is only fitting for a book about original premises."
—Brannon Braga, WGA Writer/Executive Producer, Star Trek: First Contact; TV’s The Orville, Salem, Terra Nova, Flash Forward, 24, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: The Next Generation
"Great advice for budding screenwriters and those more established. A rich resource to find the creative code and original strengths within yourself, and most importantly, tips on how to sustain passion for a project through the trial-by-fire of re-writes on the writer’s journey to getting it produced and onto the screen."
—Alex Proyas, DGA Director / WGA Writer, I Robot, Gods of Egypt, Dark City, Knowing, The Crow
"Michael Tabb is a powerhouse. He’s one of those writers that I envy – he is ALWAYS writing. Ever since I’ve known him he has constantly pumped out quality work at a steady pace. He’s a machine! And, after reading Prewriting Your Screenplay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Generating Stories, I now know his secret. There are a lot of ‘how to’ books on writing, but Tabb’s book is the first one I’ve come across that gets to the heart of the matter: how do we find a consistent method of digging out our deepest authentic feelings and ideas? If you have ever stared at your blinking cursor on a blank page, this is the book for you. Michael Tabb proves that we all have our own stories that need to be told. We think manifesting them is hard work, but Tabb shows us it is effortless."
—John Lehr, WGA Writer/Creator, 10 Items or Less, Quick Draw
"All too often, screenwriters, eager to start writing, will be tempted to skip the hard work that needs to be done before typing the words ‘FADE IN.’ That’s why so many screenplays, even by talented writers, are doomed from the start. Now, screenwriter and screenwriting teacher Michael Tabb comes to the rescue with a book centered on the all-important work the writer must do beforehand, the most neglected, challenging, and rewarding part of the process. Grounded in Michael Tabb’s deep understanding of how a premise is created and how characters come to life, Prewriting identifies each step of what for many is a chaotic, or even subconscious, process. This invaluable book combines those insights with down-to-earth, practical observations on the influence of genre, the varied functions the characters could fulfill, and how screenwriters can approach the story building process more systematically and more creatively at the same time. Prewriting offers thoughtful, practical and creative advice on all aspects of building a successful screen story. This should be on every screenwriter’s bookshelf."
—Daniel Petrie, Jr., WGA Writer, Beverly Hills Cop, Turner & Hooch, Shoot to Kill, Toy Soldiers; TV’s Combat Hospital
"All professional screenwriters know that screenwriting is half art and half science. Master teacher and accomplished screenwriter, Michael Tabb, knows a lot about both. In this important new contribution to the art and science of screenwriting, Tabb guides the novice and the professional through the absolute essentials of the screenwriting craft. He understands that the science side (the rules that all screenwriters must follow) are not an impediment to the art side (creative inspiration), but a requirement to it. Everyone who is currently making their living screenwriting and everyone who intends to should read this book. Immediately."
—Allen Estrin, Senior Lecturer, Screenwriting, American Film Institute (AFI)
"Prewriting is amazing! What I love is that this book is clearly written by a working writer. Prewriting does a fantastic job of breaking down the key elements and building blocks of screenwriting into simple terms. It provides a clear, step-by-step guide that is practical as well as creatively stimulating. As a working writer, I plan to rely on Prewriting as one of my new, go-to toolboxes. As an educator, I will make Prewriting required reading for all the courses I teach."
—Donald H. Hewitt, Screenwriting Lecturer, School of Theater, Film & Television, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
"It’s taken me many, many years to learn what Michael has distilled into this book. I wish I knew all these things when I first embarked on my career. I’ve been to USC film school, I teach at USC film school, and I’ve had stellar jobs working for ICM, Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures just to name a few. But I can tell you that I would have gone further and faster had Michael’s advice and guidance been available to me when I first started. He is knowledgeable, insightful, and he is right about what it takes to succeed as a writer."
—Sebastian Twardosz, Screenwriting Lecturer, School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California (USC)
"No sane person would attempt to run a marathon without training, would they? In my years of teaching screenwriting, I was amazed at how many of my students would balk at the idea of pre-writing, which includes premise building, character developing, structure plotting, and script outlining. What Michael Tabb's book does is give every student who loves writing a practical way to do all of that. He lays out each of the steps a writer needs to take before writing FADE IN, which are essential to creating a winning screenplay. This book gives the intellectual nutrition screenwriters need in order for them to start this screenwriting race. It helps guide writers to the choices they need to make in order to create a screenplay that works on all levels. I give Prewriting my highest recommendation.
—Kenneth Cosby, MFA, USC Screenwriting; Professor, NYU, Writing for Television
"Michael Tabb. Screenwriting is a labor of love for him -- and so is this book. The knowledge and experience he's gathered over the years has compelled him to document it and share it with others. My passion is and always has been television, but the same rules, structures, and hurdles apply. It's how I design the workshops I teach at UCLA. This is a scholarly, beautifully written (and illustrated) tome. It can apply to all forms of writing. Anything that needs an 'idea'. It's about process, which is what writing is. Not formula. Process. And Mr. Tabb has processed it well!"
—Bill Taub, WGA Writer-Producer, UCLA Extension Writing Instructor
"Filmmaking, unlike other arts, is a collaborative form. No film can get made and profit (key phrase ‘profit’), after the script is approved, without a producer, a director, a financier and a Distributor who understand story. Michael’s tome is a necessary read for all creatives to be able to thoroughly understand the story, its spine, its premise, its genre and how all characters within the story fit together in order to make & sell a successful movie. A must-read."
—Dov S-S Simens, Dean, Hollywood Film Institute
"As a professional writer for Disney Animation and having written for Dreamworks, The Weinstein Company and other major studios, I plan to use Prewriting to make my work even better. Mr. Tabb has distilled his story creating process into the most comprehensive and meaningful writing aid I've had the pleasure of reading to date. As an educator for Young Storytellers, I do and will recommend this book to writers of any age who want to be a professional storyteller in any medium. It explains how to develop a story with meaning, how to design characters to serve that meaning, and gives its readers a series of exercises to help them create their own strong story foundations from scratch over and over again. It is accessible for beginners and will even push experienced writers to improve their craft. In short: Michael Tabb has written the newest, must-read textbook for all would-be writers in the entertainment industry."
—Ricky Roxburgh, Screenwriting Educator, Young Storytellers
"I’m a working film producer who’s sold projects to all the majors, and began my teaching career at UCLA. I’ve taught at Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and Blizzard, and conferences including Great American PitchFest, Screenwriters Expo, and Screenwriters World. I have devoted much of my career to persuading screenwriters, both the pros and my students, of the importance of pre-writing. It i
See the publisher website: Routledge
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