The majority of scriptwriting books out there are good for teaching you about the foundation of the scriptwriting process. But once you've finished your first draft, it really becomes unpractical to go back to all those big books and try to extract some tips to help you know what's wrong with your script. That's what the author of this book did. While his 100 tips may scarcely contain something that you haven't read before (if you've read so many books on scriptwriting,like I did). Nonetheless, the way he organized and divided those tips is superb. To me, this book isn't as useful as it should be if you're just starting your screenwriting-learning process. But if you just finished your first draft, you'll see for yourself how helpful it is.
I like this book a lot as after every bit of theory you get good examples. It is written with a lot of humour which makes reading a pleasure. The book is aimed at movie scripts and not so much at scripts of TV series but nevertheless there are enough tips & tricks for both types.
Simple, To The Point, and Profound
These are the best descriptions I can use to describe Akers' book, YOURSCREENPLAYSUCKS: Simple, To the Point, and Profound. Akers takes a a true reader's approach to screenwriting -- passionately describing what every writer needs to know to make your screenplay reflect the idea in your mind. These are time-tested tenets of the trade and Akers does a terrific job conceptualizing and communicating them so every writer can utilize them in their craft.
A must have for anyone new to writing screenplays!
Remember that favorite teacher you had at school? You know, the one who made every lesson entertaining... Well reading 'YourScreenplaySucks!' is like having a one-on-one tutorial with Mr. Faveteach in the comfort of your own living room.
If you're reading this review then, like me, you're probably somewhere in the process of attempting your first screenplay. I knew I couldn't do it alone, so one afternoon I took a trip to Borders and spent hours flicking through all the books to do with writing screenplays. I knew YSS! was the book I needed because it answered all the questions I had been asking myself about the format and style of movie scripts. As I browsed the voice in my head was saying things like: "Ooh that's interesting," "Wow, I'd never have thought of that," and "I've been here too long now, I should just buy the book and leave. All the staff are staring at me."
Akers writes with teasing wit, crystal clarity and, most importantly, inside knowledge. Besides sharing his priceless secrets, Akers is just as much telling the reader what not to do, which pitfalls to avoid, and the big "No No's" of screenplay writing. It's an entertaining read from front to back, full of humorous anecdotes, great examples and lovely quotes. Reading it is like sitting in on a great lecture. The presentation is clear and logical, the tone friendly and helpful.
I'm sure even the most experienced screenplay writer could learn something from William Akers but I would strongly recommend 'Your Screenplay Sucks!' to any young or new screenplay writer. It certainly helped me a great deal.
I purchased the book upon suggestion by a producer. I had received positive reviews from the Nicholls Competition on my script, but needed to go further and make it awesome. This book is an easy, straightforward and fun read. I finished it in one night and took notes on the areas that applied to my script and implemented them. I would highly recommend this to anyone that wants to take their writing to the next level!
A lifetime member of the Writer's Guild of America who has had three feature films produced from his screenplays, Akers offers beginning writers the tools they need to get their screenplay noticed.
based on 71 reviews
