The Script-Selling Game: A Hollywood Insider's Look at Getting Your Script Sold and Produced

Author: Kathie Fong Yoneda, Pamela Wallace
List Price: $14.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 0941188442
Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (01 May, 2002)
Sales Rank: 44,607
Average Customer Rating: 4.89 out of 5

Customer Reviews

Rating: 5 out of 5
Translating Hollywood-Speak
The Script-Selling Game by Kathie Fong Yoneda is well-structured, offers easily understood translations of Hollywood-speak, gives valuable tips on writing for the reader, excellent step-by-step instructions on how to construct a story summary, suggests marketing research and networking strategies, and is actually encouraging in the face of all the daunting challenges of getting your script sold.

Rating: 5 out of 5
Play the Game to Win
Imagine you have an idea for a screenplay. You've read all the top books on format, act structure and character arc, so it's easy to sit down and bang out your screenplay's first draft. As you work, your mind ambles ahead to which producer, director or studio might jump at the chance to read, buy and finally produce your story. It's a delicious feeling. But, before you let that imagination of yours get too far ahead of you, check out story analyst/development specialist Kathie Fong Yoneda's "The Script Selling Game."

Sometimes it feels as if I've read just about everything there is on how to write, revise, pitch and sell a screenplay. However, I haven't read anything about getting through the Hollywood system from the view of a script analyst. It is a unique view.

Yoneda's book doesn't need screaming hype. It provides grounded, solid advice that leads you from the beginning of scriptwriting - the idea - and follows through to continuing to work after your first sale. From what to avoid to what to do, this is a great primer on playing the Hollywood game, and winning. You'll get pointers on how to avoid common writing potholes and even to how to dress and act when you're "taking a meeting." (Do leave the artsy-fartsy clothing at home!)

I'm particularly fond of chapter 8: Beware of The Big 8 - 8 Most Common Reasons Why a Script Can Be Rejected. It's information that bears repeating, mantra style.

Then, of course, there's Chapter 9: Walking the Walk - Creating Opportunities for Yourself. I know too many writers who think that the moment they get an agent they don't have to work at selling anymore. Yoneda gives you all the reasons why you should work harder.

Yoneda writes in a pleasant, easy style that makes you feel as if you're learning through osmosis rather than studying. The book is full of facts and examples presented economically and leaving no room for misunderstanding.

It's a great read, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Rating: 5 out of 5
Great info for novelists, too!
"The Script-Selling Game" is a "must have" not only for screenwriters, but also for novelists and narrative non-fiction writers who are interested in seeing their books made into films. Fong-Yoneda provides step-by-step information on essentials such as how to create high-impact log lines, compelling pitches, and effective marketing techniques. "The Script-Selling Game" helps authors to turn dreams of having their books optioned for film into reality."



Book Index