Screenwriter's Utopia: Chris' Picks: Screenwriting Software, Book, Film of the Month

ASK THE PROS: SCREENWRITING 101 questions answered by industry professionals

Edited by Howard Meibach and Paul Duran

Lone Eagle Publishing Company, Hollywood CA, 2004

Click here for ordering.

$17.95, Amazon is running a sale though for $12.57

Broken down into four sections: "The Craft", "Development", "Dealmaking" and "Mentors", this book offers 101 questions focusing on the various aspects of screenwriting. Some of which are answered by working producers, executives, and agents, this excellent book plugs the aspiring to intermediate screenwriter into a wealth of informational answers to questions we all have had or hopefully will have.

Questions are asked that may not have even occurred to newbe screenwriters, things such as: "What does a writer's assistant do? Is this a good way to break into the business?" According to David Goyer (Blade), "It's a very good way, two of my former assistants are now professional writers." Sure you'll have to get coffee, take the dog for a walk, go to the dry cleaners, but you're also going to learn about the biz, and if you are lucky enough to work for someone like Goyer, you're gonna learn about writing. And in the end, if you have some talent, you might have an opportunity to show your work and get some help.

The 101 questions purposed in this book cover virtually everything you can think of, from TV writing to getting agents, to what producers and agents look for. There's a particularly good section where various readers and story editors are asked how writers can best prepare their script so it will make it past the gatekeepers. Very good stuff.

My only knock on the book would be the lack of big name interview subjects. However, this might be the book's strength, as you're getting advice from writers who are really still building their careers and are closer to you (the newbe - intermediate writer) mentally than say, Ron Bass, who hasn't had to worry about a car payment or a mortgage for some time now.

All in all, Ask The Pros is a worthwhile investment for virtually all screenwriters, and it's my Pick of the Month for June 2004.

-Chris