Screenwriting for Teens: The 100 Principles of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know Paperback – November 1, 2006

Having had no experience with screenwriting but always having a fascination for wanting to learn, I searched and came across this book. What a great find. I guess the best I can say is I’m now motivated and ready to put to use what I’ve learned, to give it a try. What did I learn? From the 100 principles I think the most significant ones were a film tells a story differently than a book. That was particularly important to me because I tend to think in the “storyline” and not scenes, scenery, dialogue, the elements of a screenplay. The first shift for me had to be this big picture understanding and once that occurred the anatomy of screenplay writing, the principles, fell into place easily. This book was laid out to achieve that ends where a bunch of data is not just thrown out but rather it’s systematically approached for maximum learning. It’s so well written and fits with basic writing concepts that took the sting out of feeling overwhelmed to commence this new writing experience. For example, the conflict moves the plot along and needs a precipitating factor to set it in motion, locations are important and give depth to the action, and each action generates a reaction, lending to the relationship that sustains the conflict. There’s much more I could say but what’s important is now I’m excited to put it all to use. I feel motivated and encouraged thanks to Christina Hamlett’s sharp, comprehensive, and easy to follow book.

Have you ever wanted to write a screenplay but are not sure where or how to start? Well, look no further, the ultimate book on screenplay writing is here! Screenwriting for Teens by Christina Hamlett goes through all the steps of writing a screenplay in an easy-to-understand format. For the aspiring teen screenwriter, Ms. Hamlett's book will take you to worlds of screenwriting you never knew were there. Ms. Hamlett goes through all the steps of screenwriting as well as different types of movies and how to publish a screenplay in this impressive book. If you have ever wondered how your favorite movies came to be, if you have ever wanted to write your own movie, look no further, Screenwriting for Teens is the book for you! Before you send your finished screenplay to a consultant, be sure to read this book for instructions on how to successfully send it off so that it might just get considered! So what are you waiting for? Go pick up Ms. Hamlett's Screenwriting for Teens now and start writing your screenplay!  Screenwriting for Teens: The 100 Principles of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know

Christina Hamlett does it again. Really, she's just brilliant! This easy to read book is not just for teens. It's for ANYONE that aspires to learn the craft of screenwriting. From A to Z, Christina Hamlett conveys it all to the reader. From the classic story structure, to themes, characters, compelling ideas, conflict, plot, loglines, synopses, screenwriters etiquette to bulletproofing your script for agents and producers. The information, brainstormer ideas and countless numbers of references and websites are priceless in and of themselves. Really a must read for anyone, especially just starting out. If you've never written or have little experience, even better. I would HIGHLY recommend you read this book BEFORE taking any screenwriting class or instruction of any kind. Had I read this book before I took my first screenwriting class, I would have been better for it.Patrick LanguzziAspiring Amateur Screenwriter

This is an excellent guide for an adult who has had some experience with creative writing, script study, and performance art. But it is far too advanced for any one less than a teenage version of Steven Spielberg. My gifted teenage granddaughter, for whom I purchased this volume, promptly lost interest. But this retired English teacher values said work for its ambitious goals and content.

I teach a screenwriting class at a middle school in Los Angeles and would have been lost without this great resource. Not only does Ms Hamlett present the material in a easy to understand and straightforward way, she follows each of her principles with activities and suggestions to make her points clearer.This book contains so much information and so many great ideas that it was impossible to cover it thoroughly in a ten-week quarter. Perhaps my school needs to make this a semester course.Again, this is a wonderful book, and I look forward to taking Ms. Hamlett's online screenwriting class.

I purchased this book over the summer so that I could have something to look to in creating a curriculum for an 8th grade screenwriting class. This book has been more than useful. Now, it drives my curriculum! There are brief explanations on 100 meaningful concepts as well as activities and assignments that allow my students to grasp what is being taught.This is a great book for teens to investigate, piece by piece, tools and knowledge necessary to pen their own screenplay without jumping in to it haphazardly.

Any kind of successful writing involves being able to cut out all the unnecessary stuff. An instruction book that really gets down to the bare bones of a subject is useful to people at all levels of skill and experience-- because we all need to be reminded of what's important: Some of us forget, some just missed that class. This is a great book on screenwriting with something for almost anyone. Just check your pride at the title page.

This is a great book for anyone who is starting out and wants to become a screenwriter. I got it for teens I am helping, but it is quite good for anyone getting started regardless of age.

Bought as a gift for Christmas to go with the Zombie Movie Making kit and the Monster making kit for my daughters! Think they will love it!