Screenwriting Basics

5 Comments to “Screen Teen Writers: How Young Screenwriters Can Find Success”

1. 

   By FL film student, July 25, 2010 @ 11:19 pm

   As a film student, I learned more from this book than I did taking screenwriting in college! A must have for anyone interested in screenwriting whether they be a teen or teen at heart!
   Rating: 5 / 5
2. 

   By S. CUSTOMER, July 26, 2010 @ 2:15 am

   All information in this book is usefull, even if you aren’t writing screenplays. There were a lot of interviews which were somewhat helpful but not what I personally was looking for. I was looking for more of how to format a screenplay and there was not a lot of this in the book. Also some of the websites in the book did not work (which Hamlett could not have had any control of). I was very dissapointed that the Film camp that has a few pages of the book dedicated to it’s website hasn’t been updated since 2003. There were a lot of good exercises and things to do. I reccomend this book to writers in general. If you are a screenwriter or just starting out I recommend that you buy this book along with “How to Write a Screenplay in 21 Days” together these two books are a great starting point.
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. 

   By SCREENTALK Magazine, July 26, 2010 @ 3:49 am

   With ageism sweeping Hollywood recently, and executives apparently desperately looking for the “next genius 18-year-old screenwriter,” it was only a matter of time before someone wrote a screenwriting manual “just for kids.”

   Still, Christina Hamlett does not fall into the trap of dumbing down the material. Though aimed at high school students, she treats every aspect of the screenwriting process with the same sérieux one would use for a book aimed at the adult market. Indeed, it covers all the same topics (finding ideas, writing dialogue, structure, character, formatting etc.).

   Differences are noticeable in the tone of the examples used, which are a bit more fanciful than usual, and in the exercises in each chapter, which are really designed for the classroom. As such, the book is probably even more valuable to teachers of a beginning screenwriting class for young adults than for the teen screenwriter himself.

   The advice is good, with an interesting take on structure. There is a lot of information on getting an agent (perhaps a tad too optimistic here), as well as interviews with industry professionals to conclude each chapter (and the ageism issue gets referred to a lot, strangely enough). For those who remain cynical about the whole thing: the one 14-year-old writer interviewed here prefers Rashomon and Citizen Kane. So there may be hope yet.
   Rating: 4 / 5
4. 

   By Anonymous, July 26, 2010 @ 6:01 am

   This book fills an important niche for the ever increasing teen film market. It does so, however, with instructions and lessions that are valuable for all in the industry and for anyone who thinks an Academy Award winning screenplay is just a blank sheet of paper away. The author not only provides a very comprehensive guide to screenwriting, but also tests the motivation of the young writers and their fidelity to their craft.
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. 

   By Anonymous, July 26, 2010 @ 7:19 am

   This book is like the mentor every screenwriter longs to have, but rarely has the good luck to find. The idea of writing a screenplay is glamorous, yes, but none to easy to accomplish. I’ve been working as a screenwriter since my 20s, but I sure wish this book had been around when I first dreamed of writing movies. Christian Hamlett’s book can tell you how to get started and how to successfully reach that longed-for goal, the final fade out. What a boon to young screenwriters just getting started! Christina Hamlett’s book offers heaps of practical advice, and the interviews she includes provide the reader with additional voices of wisdom. I intend to recommend it to any teenager interested in creating a screenplay.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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