Chapter 1: The Iron Triangle - A Simple Story with a Flaw
* Introduces the "Iron Triangle" of storytelling: plot, character, and theme.
* Emphasizes the importance of a simple, clear story with a central flaw.
* Example: "Jaws" (plot: a shark terrorizes a seaside town; flaw: the shark is invincible).
Chapter 2: The Plot Line - A Beginning, a Middle, and an End
* Breaks down the story into three acts: beginning, middle, and end.
* Each act must have a clear goal, conflict, and resolution.
* Example: "Star Wars: A New Hope" (beginning: Luke Skywalker leaves his home; middle: the Death Star is destroyed; end: the Empire is defeated).
Chapter 3: The Character Triangle - What Motivates People
* Explores the three main motivations for character actions: need, want, and conflict.
* Characters should be relatable, with goals that resonate with the audience.
* Example: "The Godfather" (Michael Corleone's need: to protect his family; want: to live a legitimate life; conflict: the family business).
Chapter 4: The Thematic Filter - What the Story's About
* Identifies the underlying theme or message of the story.
* The theme should provide insight into the human condition.
* Example: "The Shawshank Redemption" (theme: hope can prevail even in the darkest of circumstances).
Chapter 5: Pitching the Story - The Perfect 50
* Provides tips on how to effectively pitch a story idea.
* The pitch should be brief (around 50 words), clear, and engaging.
* Example: "A young woman with a rare disease sets out on a perilous journey to find a cure."
Chapter 6: The Idea Machine - Where Great Stories Come From
* Explores various sources of story ideas, such as personal experiences, news events, and other stories.
* Encourages writers to keep a notebook and record any interesting ideas that come to mind.
* Example: The idea for "The Martian" came from the author's fascination with space exploration.
Chapter 7: Breaking the Story - Creating a Blueprint
* Guides writers through the process of breaking down their story into its essential elements.
* Includes a detailed outline template that covers plot, character, and theme.
* Example: Breaking down the story of "Titanic" into scenes, with a focus on the characters' motivations and the overall theme of love and sacrifice.
Chapter 8: Writing the Treatment - A Bird's-Eye View of the Movie
* Explains how to write a treatment, which is a concise summary of the story.
* The treatment should include the main plot points, character descriptions, and a synopsis of the major scenes.
* Example: The treatment for "The Dark Knight" would outline the battle between Batman, Joker, and Harvey Dent.
Chapter 9: Writing the Script - The Devil Is in the Details
* Provides practical advice on the craft of screenwriting.
* Covers topics such as dialogue, action, and scene structure.
* Example: Writing a scene from "The Godfather" that showcases the dynamics between Michael Corleone and his father, Vito.
Chapter 10: Writing Relationships - The Tragedy of Hamlet
* Emphasizes the importance of creating strong and believable relationships between characters.
* Explores the challenges of writing dialogue that reveals character motivations and emotional connections.
* Example: Analyzing the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia in Shakespeare's play.
Chapter 11: Selling the Script - The Art of the Deal
* Offers guidance on how to navigate the film industry and sell a screenplay.
* Covers topics such as finding an agent, attending script competitions, and building relationships.
* Example: The journey of a screenwriter trying to get their script produced: from writing the first draft to pitching it to studios.
