1st Edition

Screenwriting for Profit Writing for the Global Marketplace

By Andrew Stevens Copyright 2017
    216 Pages
    by Routledge

    216 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book teaches readers how global trends define the marketplace for saleable screenplays in key international territories as well as the domestic market. Veteran writer, producer, and director Andrew Stevens gives you the insider edge you need to write for the global marketplace, sharing his decades of experience producing and financing everything from micro-budget independent films to major studio releases. In leveraging Stevens’ comprehensive experience, you will learn how to determine specific subject matter, genre, and story elements to make the most of international sales trends, and harness the power of these insider strategies to craft a screenplay that is poised to sell.

    Foreword

    Prologue

    Chapter 1: Critical Criteria Before Determining Your Subject Matter

    Chapter 2: The Independent Film and Television Alliance and the American Film Market: Services and Opportunities that Benefit Screenwriters

    Chapter 3: The Cannes Film Market and Festival

    Chapter 4: Writing for the Marketplace

    Chapter 5: Building a Career – Everyone Starts Somewhere

    Chapter 6: Historical Context of the Recent Evolution of Media Gives Writers Perspective

    Chapter 7: Screenplay Structure and Components

    Chapter 8: Inspiration, Sequels, Remakes and Re-boots

    Chapter 9: Character Development from Actor’s Perspective

    Chapter 10: Screenwriters Perspective

    Chapter 11: A Director’s Perspective

    Chapter 12: A Producer’s Perspective

    Chapter 13: Writing for Cost Effective Budgets

    Chapter 14: Financing

    Chapter 15: Writing is a Team Sport

    Chapter 16: Studio Due Diligence: How the Big Boys Cater to the Little Boys

    Chapter 17: New Media – New Model – As Significant as the Majors

    Chapter 18: Non-Union vs Union Writers

    Chapter 19: Writers Protections

    Chapter 20: Non-Disclosure, Non-Circumvention and Confidentiality Agreements

    Chapter 21: Screenplay Submissions

    Chapter 22: The Pitch

    Biography

    Andrew Stevens, author of Producing for Profit (Focal 2017), and the DVD/download film school series Foolproof Film School, has mastered almost every aspect of the entertainment business. From creative filmmaker, screenwriter, director, and producer, to corporate executive, leader in trade and union negotiations and collective bargaining, Stevens has guided the creative development and physical production of over 175 motion pictures, including the hit comedy The Whole Nine Yards and the cult classic Boondock Saints, and his films have generated over $1 billion in worldwide revenues. In his several successful motion picture companies, he has guided international film sales, domestic distribution, finance, publicity, and marketing. A former award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated actor, he continues to be active in the motion picture business as well as being an author, educator, motivational speaker, and industry consultant. He served for a decade on the board of directors of the International Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) and also served as chairman of the Independent Producers Association (IPA).

    "Andrew Stevens is responsible for the careers of many new writers, producers and directors."

    —Roger Corman, Oscar-winner, Legendary Independent Filmmaker/Producer

    "Andrew’s work is fantastic!"

    —Jackie Collins, The New York Times Bestselling Novelist

    "Screenwriting for Profit navigates through all the pitfalls a writer will experience in trying to sell their screenplay and takes the writer beyond the computer screen and into the real world of getting a script sold. Even the greatest script is worthless unless it has the potential to get made. Andrew lays out from idea to conception his insider knowledge that will help a writer go from novice to professional. Before a writer takes their first meeting, they should give Screenwriting for Profit a read."

    —Peter M. Lenkov, Emmy Nominee, Writer/Executive Producer: Salvation, Hawaii Five-0, R.I.P.D., MacGyver, CSI: NY

    "Great! It is different than other books that focus on the writer’s process. I love that this book captures a salty, wise, practical tone, and it feels very refreshing. Chapter 15 alone is reason enough to buy this book and reason to recommend it to writers. I certainly wish I had read this before I headed to my first film market. I really enjoyed this work and I recommend it."

    —Noah Workman, Partner, Iris MediaWorks

    "A fantastic job! Andrew Stevens nailed it!"

    —Richard Christian Matheson, Author/Producer: The A-Team, It Waits, Three O'Clock High

    "Andrew's book is a valuable resource for any writer. I very much enjoyed the book and would have killed to have a resource like it when I was first starting out – it would have saved me a lot of time. There are lessons on story, structure, character and craft. In addition, the business – the business of writing and the business itself – is demystified in a way that pretty much draws a map from being a hobbyist to becoming a professional."

    —Sean McGinly, Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting semifinalist, Writer/Director: The Great Buck Howard