Contents

How to Use this Book

1. Screenwriting: Inventing a Myth

BY ALEXANDER STEELE

2. Plot: The Path of Action

BY DANIEL NOAH

Chart of Major Events

3. Characters: The Lifeblood

BY PAUL ZIMMERMAN

4. The Page: Words That Move

BY JOHN GLENN

5. Scenes: Exploring and Exploding Moments

BY TAL MCTHENIA

Beat Sheet

6. Dialogue: Making More of Less

BY MICHAEL ELDRIDGE

7. Subplots: A Side of Story

BY HELEN KAPLAN

8. Plot II: Like a Roller Coaster

BY TOMMY JENKINS

9. Tone and Theme: The Overlay and Underlay

BY JASON GREIFF

10. Revision: From Rough to Ready

BY AMY FOX

11. The Business: Slipping Past the Velvet Rope

BY CHRISTOPHER MOMENEE

Format Guide

Glossary

Cheat Sheet

Acknowledgments

Contributors