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Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays

From TV Pilot to Feature Film
By Lucy Hay
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays by Lucy Hay is a practical guide that delves into the elements of crafting compelling thriller scripts. It provides insights into character development, plotting, and maintaining suspense, tailored for writers aiming to break into the film industry. The book combines theoretical knowledge with practical advice to help you create scripts that captivate audiences and attract buyers.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're an aspiring screenwriter eager to craft thrilling narratives that captivate audiences. With practical advice from an industry expert, it offers insights into building suspense, developing gripping plots and creating edge-of-your-seat moments. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned writers keen on delving into the world of thriller screenplays.

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Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays has the lowdown on how to get your thriller feature script on to the page, and how to get it in front of producers and investors....

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays has the lowdown on how to get your thriller feature script on to the page, and how to get it in front of producers and investors.

First published in 2013, this new edition offers an all-new resources section and a host of new case studies that map the considerable changes of the past decade. With marketplace disruptors such as Netflix and the first phases of The Marvel Cinematic Universe leaving their mark, new opportunities have been created for screenwriters and filmmakers who are keen to get their stories in front of industry professionals.

This time around, Lucy V Hay doesn't just guide you through the writing of movies, but spec TV pilots too. Putting iconic, mixed-genre projects under the microscopeβ€”such as Stranger Things (horror thriller), Brooklyn 99 (comedy thriller) and Lost (sci-fi thriller)β€”she considers what writers can learn from these shows.

She also argues that the lone protagonist in a thriller has had its day and looks at how the genre is moving into a space beyond 'The Hero's Journey'. Case studies to support this include The Hunger Games, Captain Marvel, Iron Man and many more.

Finally, the book considers how the screenplay might be sold to investors, exploring high concept ideas, pitching, packaging and the realities of film financeβ€”all updated for the 2020sβ€”and lays out alternative routes to sales and production, including transmedia such as novels and adaptation, and immersive storytelling online.

Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays is a must-read for any writer, producer or director looking to create (or in the process of creating) a thriller production. It could also be immensely useful for those generally curious about the genre or looking to learn more - Film Doctor

This book should form part of the armoury for any screenplay writer's bookshelf - Stephen Hall

Really hones in on the specific genre of thrillers with expertise - Write So Fluid

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Writing and Selling Thriller Screenplays by Lucy Hay is praised for delivering clear, practical advice on navigating the thriller genre in film and television. The author is commended for her straightforward style and for offering detailed career strategies to help writers get their scripts noticed by industry professionals.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780857305527

Publisher: Oldcastle Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Creative Essentials

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Lucy Hay Non-Fiction

About the Author

Lucy V. Hay is an author, script editor and blogger who helps writers via her Bang2write consultancy. She is the associate producer of Brit thrillers Deviation (2012) and Assassin (2015), both starring Danny Dyer, and has consulted on a huge number of award-winning films over the past decade. Lucy is head reader for the London Screenwriters' Festival and has written several novels, including her crime fiction debut The Other Twin (2017, Orenda Books) and two other books for the Creative Essentials series: Writing & Selling Drama Screenplays and Writing Diverse Characters for Fiction, TV or Film. She lives in Devon with her husband, three children, five cats and a bunch of African Land Snails.

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