Honoring legendary Teacher Syd Field
45th Anniversary of the publication of his revolutionary book
Screenplay – “The bible of Screenwriting”
–The New York Times
Syd Field’s book on the essential structure of emotionally satisfying screenplays has ignited lucrative careers in film and television for decades.
Introduction to the Revised Edition:
“In 1979, when I first wrote Screenplay, there were few books on the market about screenwriting. My bestselling how-to guide changed that by laying out the principles of dramatic structure and establishing the Foundations of Screenwriting.
Movies are a combination of art and science. The technological revolution has changed the way we see movies and therefore, has changed the way we write movies. But no matter what changes are made in motion picture production and distribution, the nature of the screenplay hasn’t changed: A screenplay is a story told with pictures, in dialogue and description, and placed within the context of dramatic structure. Screenplays are essential to the Art of Visual Storytelling.
That said, determine success solely by your dedication to your craft.
When you complete any screenplay, you’ve accomplished a tremendous achievement! You’ve taken an idea, expanded it into a dramatic or comedic storyline, and then sat down and spent months – or years – finishing a viable draft. That alone should be satisfying.
Not selling your screenplay shouldn’t alter your internal state of mind or your feelings about yourself. Cherish your experience of writing. In the long run, you did what you set out to do. You fulfilled your hopes and dreams.
Writing brings its own rewards. Enjoy them and pass them on.”