Sixteen Weeks to Fade Out: A Practical Guide to Screenwriting

This is a comprehensive guide to writing the first draft of a feature length screenplay. While it focuses on the college semester (16 Weeks), it is also completely appropriate for anyone attempting to write a screenplay within a timeline. The text breaks down different approaches to designing a screenplay by providing pragmatic guidelines enhancing your ability to use creativity rather than focusing on rules. It highlights the skills necessary to execute compelling visual language to achieve good story, plot, dialog, dynamic characters, and help you put it all together. Think of this as a companion tool as you write. The language is simplified and yet academic, theoretically sound and yet pragmatic. It also offers additional insight into the history of screenwriting, the re-write process, and the specific skill sets needed for adaptation.

This book is easy to understand and provides accounts for context from the author as a professional screenwriter, as well as anecdotes from other professionals (David Mickey Evans – The Sand Lot, and Vince McKewin – Fly Away Home, and Jeb Stuart – Die Hard, The Fugitive, Dana Coen – JAG, NCIS, and Anthony Tambakis — Warrior, Suicide Squad 2).

Dr. Michael D. Acosta is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Writing for the Screen & Stage Program and a professional screenwriter. He is as passionate about creating imaginary worlds as he is teaching these skills to his students. Mike is also a jazz musician and retired from the U.S. Navy.