The Craft of Scene Writing

Beat by Beat to a Better Script

By: Jim Mercurio

Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby

A professional screenwriter's master class in writing the most critical and challenging script element - the individual scene.

No one comes out of a movie talking about structure. What audiences love and remember about a movie are great scenes. Marlon Brando in the back seat in On the Waterfront giving his "I could'a been a contender" speech. Meg Ryan's fake orgasm in Katz's Deli in When Harry Met Sally with the climactic punch line: "I'll have what she's having." In Superbad, Jonah Hill professing "I love you" to his friend Michael Cera by touching his nose with a "boop".

Great scenes will elevate your script from ho-hum to extraordinary-and from the slush pile to sellable. In The Craft of Scene Writing, accomplished screenwriter and master writing teacher Jim Mercurio analyzes and systematizes the beats, conflicts, character moments, action, dialogue, and structure that create powerful scenes. Citing examples from scripts old and new, The Craft of Scene Writing breaks down how great scenes reveal character, advance the story, and emotionally connect with audiences, plus demonstrates how to use these techniques in your own scripts. This incredibly detailed exploration of screenwriting technique will help beginning writers to write great scripts and experienced writers to gain a more complete mastery of their craft.

©2019 Jim Mercurio (P)2020 Tantor

Very great analysis and insight

Jim does a great job of analyzing scenes from some of our favorite films and shows why they work and what writing elements helped make them memorable. He also shows you how to apply those methods in your own writing. Really helpful. Thanks!

fabulous

very interesting take on screenwritting. I enjoyed every minute. will listen surely again. thank you

Gonna Fly Now

The title of this review is the name of the song that plays over the famous training montage in the picture ROCKY. This book will be the soundtrack to my writing process. It has nothing short of a brilliant heart and serves as the most instant companion to the writer that any craft would allow.

Author needs to change the title

Excellent discussion by the author on SCREEN writing, not scene writing.

I was impressed with the tips and hacks on how to edit a script. Extremely helpful on how to cut the number of pages without ruining the script. That alone is worth the price of admission!

How a watch works

I'm sorry, this is the kind of guy that when you ask if he has the time he begins to explain how a watch works.