Why Screenplay Is On My Bookshelf
By Jim Hillin
1987. I was beginning to realize my chosen profession of being a visual effects artist was a little dubious. Several companies around the world had shut down in bankruptcy that Fall and I thought, “Maybe I should have a backup profession.” I went to my local bookstore and inquired about books that discussed writing for film.
Syd Field’s Screenplay – The Foundations of Screenwriting is a fount of information regarding what a screenplay is and how to go about writing one. This book is perfect for a beginner because not only does it dissect how to go about writing a screenplay, it shows you detailed examples as well. Oftentimes, for someone slightly past novice level, too much time is spent on explanation. However, there is still information to be gained from, and memorable quotes to be pinned to the corkboard. The thing I had to remember most while reading was that this book was a guide more than a history lesson, the latter of which previous reading assignments have drifted toward.
When I decided to become a screenwriter I did two things – took a weekend workshop with Syd Field, and followed that with a ten-week, one night a week workshop Syd offered at his home. The weekend workshop taught me the basics; the ten-week workshop allowed me to put those basics to use.
There it is. The blank page. Or screen. It’s perfect, pristine, shimmering with possibilities. You want the words you impart on this perfect canvas to be worthy. To flow with lyrical, righteous, and passionate… stuff. No, scratch that, not ‘stuff’ – it must be classic Oscar, Emmy, Tony award winning scriptness. Wait. What? ‘Scriptness?’ And now it’s ruined. The blank page, which was once so full of hope, is now ruined. Crumple paper, or delete, delete, delete. Time for coffee.
One of the most valuable “oh, I get it!” moments studying with screenwriting mentor, Syd Field, was the first time Syd spoke about his groundbreaking Paradigm. More specifically – Syd stated that the first thing needed to begin was to know the end. As a young writer, this was a bit of a surprise.
“Adaptation is both a skill and a challenge.” These are the words of legendary author and screenwriter, Syd Field (1935-2013), acclaimed as “the guru of all screenwriters” (CNN). Syd goes on to say, in his seminal book, Screenplay – The Foundations of Screenwriting: “The verb to adapt means ‘to transpose from one medium to another.’ Adaptation is defined as the ability ‘to make fit or suitable by changing, or adjusting’ – modifying something to create a change in structure, function, and form… It is a singular art.”
