Creative Screenwriting: Understanding Emotional Structure
"This book is long overdue - it finally exposes the emperor's new clothes of narrative screenwriting. The exaggerated emphasis on the narrative structure in screenwriting analysis is both misguided and tyrannical. It is the emotional journey that matters, not the narrative - as most moviegoers would tell you. The narrative is needed only as a skeleton to hang the real stuff upon, and Christina Kallas' insightful book provides a rare glimpse into the real stuff - the viewer's emotional journey and the way for the writer to provide for it." — Milcho Manchevski, writer-director of Golden Lion winner, Academy-Award-nominatedBefore the Rain "Creative Screenwriting is at once practical and erudite.  Bringing the best of the art's greatest teachers together, both past and present, into one compelling 'dialogue,' Kallas delivers an excellent insight into our craft with the warmth and passion of a truly gifted writer and teacher. Of the many fine books on screenwriting one might have in their library... this is among the best." — David N. Weiss, co-writer,Shrek 2, Vice President, WGA, West“A great screenplay is worth its weight in gold - not just to its author, but also its producer, director, actors and, most important of all, its ultimate audience. Creative Screenwriting is a great place for any screenwriter to mine for treasure. It's filled with insights, alternatives, stimulating exercises and springboards for your imagination.” — David Howard, Founding Director of the Graduate Screenwriting Program at USC and author ofTools of Screenwriting"Smart. Thorough. Insightful. Kallas has an authoritative understanding of creative issues, historical issues, and the intellectual issues about screenwriting and covers them with a sense of the head and the heart of the subject. Filled with exercises, analysis, and thoughtful discussion, the book is an important addition for anyone wanting to learn more and write with more emotional depth." —Linda Seger, script consultant and author ofMaking A Good Script Great "A most erudite, encyclopedic and wise synthesis of the craft of screenwriting, which both novice and seasoned writer would do well to investigate. A fascinating overview of notions of drama and techniques, ancient and modern which should open writing horizons, and redefine the craft of screenwriting, inject it with the life, philosophy and emotional wisdom it increasingly lacks." —Jeff Gross, novelist, film director and writer of some forty screenplays