The Art of Screenwriting: An A to Z Guide to Writing a Successful Screenplay

Writing for the stage and screen presents artistic challenges to aspiring dramatists everywhere. Through practical, proven methods, playwright and poet William Packard leads readers past personal and professional obstacles to success. This book carefully explains the mechanics of plot, conflict, structure, form, character, dialogue, film editing, and treatment. It covers the commercial side of screenwriting with sections on marketing, agents, contracts, copyright, and collaboration. The elements of technique and story are emphasized as well as script mechanics, resulting in one of the most intelligent and useful how-to books on writing for the screen.

William Packard has taught playwriting and acting at the H.B. Studio in New York City since 1965. His own plays have been produced and directed by such theatrical luminaries as Gene Frankel and Otto Preminger. He is the founder and editor of The New York Quarterly, as well as a screenwriter, poet, and novelist.