For those who prefer longer more detailed reviews.
After reading Syd Field, I felt as though I was lost. I eventually came upon the ubiquitous, SAVE THE CAT. I started to feel like I was getting somewhere. I read so many screenwriting books I sincerely lost count. I didn't feel as though I was progressing. Working through the next steps, I added THE ANATOMY OF STORY and THE SOUL OF SCREENWRITING. I experienced positive changes in my writing. But there was something lacking in my sense of story, I found a couple of more gems, then I just happened to stumble upon SCREENWRITING UNCHAINED. I wasn't sure what to think about the title other than the certainty that something felt chained in my understanding of story structure. The first couple of chapters was all I needed to know I found an original thinker.
The difference between logistical 3 act structure (the kind of screenwriting structures so stuck in useless formulas that they are excruciating to read) vs dramatic 3 act structure (what people really mean when they say "organic") is utterly simple, but utterly revolutionary in its implications for how screenwriting is understood and therefore taught. Adding in fractal dramatic 3 act structure will change your entire perspective on how to navigate the deeper structure of sequences and scenes. Giving your project psychological velocity through the application of the "M-SCORE." But the theory of the STORY TYPE METHOD is a crucial innovation to how we understand screenwriting. It will allow you to have more flexibility as well as a new level of insight in telling the exact type of story you want to tell, outside of the older models of screenwriting. Your understanding will grow, your writing will evolve.
Something happened as I studied the ideas and concepts in SCREENWRITING UNCHAINED, my creative passions started to shift, I started falling in love with longer forms projects. The whole world has as well. Streaming, 8 to 10 episodes, WESTWORLD, THE OUTSIDER, THE LAST OF US, no commercial breaks, creative possibilities, a deep dive you take into a world, deeper levels of character development, ensemble cast. I love it.
But how do you write it? I read A LOT of books on TV writing and structure. I kept running into dead ends, I struggled to find any book that would help me to write the kinds of writing structures for the type of projects that I saw of NETFLIX, HBO, PRIME, or APPLE. When I first heard about Emmanuel's workshop for the TV SERIES, I was excited, but I was going through some difficult times so when I saw that he was going to do a book about WRITING A SUCCESSFUL TV SERIES and that was going to address the issues of the streaming series, I was highly energized, then heavy things happened in our world.
I was still on my search to understand the elusive Streaming Series structure when I got a message from Emmanuel Oberg. When I realized that he had finished the book and that I would have a chance to be an early reader, I was very into it. I actually read the book and went back and re-read some of the things that I really found useful and insightful.
Firstly, while it will be a revelation for you to read SCREENWRITING UNCHAINED before you read WRITING THE SUCCESSFUL TV SERIES, it is not necessary. The author has given the reader enough theory to allow for clarity. The book also offers a deep and updated examination of the state of tv/streaming around the world, a topic I found both interesting and insightful to consider creative approaches to television structure being used by writers in other parts of the globe.
The gold for me was to finally have an examination of the structure of the streaming series, the relevance of not having to write to commercial breaks, how to apply dramatic 3 act structure, fractal dramatic 3 act structure, the M-SCORE, and the STORY TYPE METHOD to your TV series tools which will offer the committed reader an opportunity for "organic" structure, greater narrative coherence and depth, and a method "the M-SCORE" designed to add energy and emotional power to your writing.
With WRITING A SUCCESSFUL TV SERIES, Emmanuel has managed to do it again. This book is to "writing tv" what SCREENWRITING UNCHAINED is to the screenplay. Do yourself a favor...
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
PP
Emmanuel holds your hand every step of the way to developing a solid draft of your TV series.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2023