Rating: 4 out of 5

Genre: Nonfiction, 4 stars

People who should read this: If you’re a fledgeling screenwriter, love movies, or Goldman’s works then this is the book for you. 

Wow, it’s been a hot moment since I’ve reviewed anything remotely close to nonfiction. 

I guess today is as good a day as ever. And actually, I have two more nonfiction books on the very near horizon. Nonfiction is a great look into what’s going on in my life or what I’m really passionate about at the moment. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that two of the three books are about screenwriting. In case you missed the hundreds of announcements, are new to the blog, or haven’t really noticed my new movie reviews, I’m breaking into the screenwriting business.

That’s just me, piling more onto my ever growing work stack. 

It’s no big deal. 

Can someone lay a pillow on the floor for when I fall face first from exhaustion?

Back to the point of the blog. Who really wants these tiny tidbits of my life? That’s what Instagram is for (use the handy link to visit my Instagram account. Oh look I just did another one. It’s a great place to watch us make our movie). 

You see what I did there? Just a little plug for myself. 

Anywhos….

This is all the by-product of not being in the mood to write a blog, but being unable to get out of the work because I have quite a few to write. 

If you want to read a book that’s really depressing than look no further. It was made even more depressing when my screenwriting teacher informed me that it’s a very accurate representation of Hollywood. My only hope is that the industry has changed some since the book was written in the 80s.

But I’m not putting money on that. Not when the first third is an accurate prediction of the current state of the movie industry. 

Split into three parts, Adventures in the Screen Trade is a look into the industry and work of William Goldman. In the first third, Goldman spends time dissecting the inner workings of the movie industry. As a fledgeling screenwriter, this section was very eye opening, but it wasn’t the most depressing part. That is reserved for the middle and longest section. The discussion of all Goldman’s works. Here is where he goes through the making of his screenplays. I was not ready for the startling reality of what I read. I knew the industry was hard, but I didn’t know what happened. I didn’t know that you can write an entire screenplay to only be kicked out because one person didn’t like it. I wasn’t ready for the truth. 

If you’re wanting to be a screenwriter as well, I’m screaming at you to read this book. At least to get a better picture of what to be prepared for. Don’t worry, I’m not giving up yet, I’m just making a few different choices. 

The last part of the book is a great lesson on the process of making a movie. Goldman takes one of his short stories and converts it into a screenplay. Then he asks leading professionals in the movie industry to do a quick design for each of their parts, all leading to my biggest takeaway of the book. It’s not a one person show when making a movie. Hundreds of hands have their opinions on this piece, and each one shapes it. What the writer has created might not be the same once it’s been interpreted by the director, cinematographer, and composer. Even the actors will meld the words into something of their own. 

Boy is that a tough pill to swallow.

And even if you’re not interested in making movies, but you still really like to watch them, this might still be the book for you. Goldman has created a few of the classics and it’s a great look into the history of the movie. Too bad we didn’t get Princess Bride in the book. That’s okay because the other nonfiction book I’m reading is As You Wish. I’m going to have my fill of Goldman before the month is up. 

Happy Reading

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 38/175