Writing the romantic comedy : the art of crafting funny love stories for the screen / Billy Mernit.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mernit, Billy, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Motion picture authorship.

Love in motion pictures.

Comedy films.

Genre:

Comedy films.

Physical Description:

xviii, 458 pages ; 21 cm

Edition:

Twentieth anniversary expanded and updated edited.

Place of Publication:

New York : Harper, 2020.

Summary:

"Revised and expanded to celebrate a new generation of romantic comedies, Billy Mernit's insightful look into the mechanics of writing Hollywood's most enduring genre features case studies that reveal the screenwriting secrets behind classics new and old. Whether you're a first-time screenwriter, an intermediate marooned in the rewriting process, or a professional wanting to explore the latest genre trends, this thoroughly charming and insightful guide to the basics of crafting a winning and innovative script will take you step by step from 'meet cute' all the way to 'joyous defeat.' You'll learn the screenwriting secrets behind some of the funniest scenes ever written; how to create characters and dialogue that getsparks flying; why some bedroom scenes sizzle and others fall flat; and much more. Written in a refreshingly accessible style and updated and expanded to recognize the contributions of a fresh generation of romantic comedies, this newly revised 20th Anniversary edition of Writing the Romantic Comedy features case studies drawn from beloved romantic classics such as When Harry Met Sally, Annie Hall, Tootsie, and The Lady Eve to modern-day favorites including Hitch, (500) Days of Summer, Bridesmaids, and Silver Linings Playbook. Field-tested writing exercises are also included, guaranteed to short-circuit potential mistakes and ensure inspiration." -- Description provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 Storytelling Fundamentals p. 3

2 The Romantic Comedy Story Concept p. 13

3 A Brief History Of Romantic Comedy p. 41

4 The Twenty-First Century Rom-Com p. 63

Part 2 Into The Thick Of It

5 Character Chemistry p. 111

6 Developing Theme p. 160

7 Structuring Conflict p. 187

8 A Credible World p. 214

Part 3 The Finer Points

9 The Art Of Funny p. 259

10 Being Sexy p. 293

11 Designing Dialogue p. 319

12 Crafting Moving Images p. 344

Part 4 Completing Your Draft And After

13 Deepening Your Craft p. 369

14 Approaching The Industry p. 394.

Notes:

Originally published in 2000 by Collins Reference

Includes selected bibliographical references (page [429]) and index.

ISBN:

9780062950260

0062950266

OCLC:

1103981685

Publisher Number:

99985041031