Synopses & Reviews
A bestseller that is the first artist-friendly screenwriting guide to success by an Oscar nominated Hollywood insider whose productions have grossed more than a billion dollars.
Riding the Alligator is different from other screenwriting books in that it takes a non-dogmatic approach to finding your own personal creative process, and shares Pens best kept secrets for selling your creations and yourself.
Pen is your own, warm, funny, personal mentor as you read this book. Actress Robin Wright says: “It is like getting a UC screenwriting course for under $30!!!”.
Pen draws from his own extremely simple breakthrough techniques, shares his inspiring philosophy of finding a personal well of creativity from your inner voice, to overcoming the many challenges in a unique business, managing stress, the real secrets to selling your work, finding the right agent and being true to one's nature to create a lasting and passion filled career.
The book is hailed by Hollywood luminaries like Ron Howard, Paul Haggis, Jeff Bridges, Morgan Freeman, as well as heads of major motion picture studios and academics from top film schools including USC, UCLA, NYU and AFI.
Also included are short, personal essays by A-List Hollywood scripters such as Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Eric Roth (Forrest Gump), Robin Swicord (Memoirs of a Geisha), Ron Shelton (Bull Durham/White Men Can't Jump), Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island/Avatar), Todd Robinson (White Squall/Phantom), Andrea Berloff (World Trade Center), Anthony Peckham (Sherlock Holmes) and more.
Additionally, Pen provides an ‘Instant Library summarizing 10 other popular books on Hollywood, as reviewed by his USC Film Students.
Review
“His deep understanding of the screenwriting process is at once inspiring and empowering. ” - Robert Mandel, Dean of AFI
Review
“Pens book is unique in that it addresses the entire landscape of movie writing as a career, and most especially encourages artists who write from the heart and strive for originality.” - Ron Howard, Filmmaker
“If youre thinking about writing a screenplay, do yourself a favor and hop on Pen Denshams Alligator. The rides enlightening.” - Jeff Bridges, Oscar winner.
“His deep understanding of the screenwriting process is at once inspiring and empowering. ” - Robert Mandel, Dean of AFI
“His words on the creative process are inspiring and useful, and his insight into the business is essential.” - Paul Haggis, Oscar Winning Filmmaker.
“This book would have saved me years! — it's like having a close friend in the business to help guide you through the screenwriting process from idea, to script, to sale, to career.” — Jack Epps, Jr., Chair, Writing for Screen and TV, USC
“Pens book is wise, encouraging, helpful and kind - everything the business of moviemaking is sometimes not.” - Tom Rothman (recent) Co-Chairman, Fox
“It is one of the few books on the market that comes from a screenwriter who has actually been in the trenches.” - Philip Taylor, writer/professor - Journal of Film and Video - UFVA 2013
Synopsis
This is the first book that explores both specific screenplay writing techniques, while simultaneously imparting industry-tested strategies for carving out a successful, long term career. Pen Densham reveals his emotional philosophies and professional secrets, plus insights from his company, Trilogy Entertainment Group. Pen imparts an inspiring philosophy on choosing an artistic career and overcoming the many challenges, such as managing stress, to selling yourself and your work, to finding an agent and being true to ones nature, all while creating a lasting and satisfying career.
Synopsis
Pen Densham is an Oscar nominated writer-director-producer active in Hollywood today. Hes produced 16 features and over 300 hours of TV series. He created the story for the revisionist Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and co-wrote and produced the screenplay with his Trilogy Entertainment Group partner, John Watson. He wrote and directed Moll Flanders for MGM, as well as writing and directing Houdini for TNT. Trilogys latest is Phantom (2013).
He personally revived both the Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits series to TV. And is honored to work with talent like Ed Harris, David Duchovny, Jay Baruchel, Jeff Bridges, Bill Murray, Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, Kevin Costner, Sylvester Stallone, Jodie Foster, Emile Hirsch, Mark Ruffalo, and Robin Wright.
Pen also shares his philosophies and techniques at several major academic film institutions like USC and the Canadian Film Center.
About the Author
As principal of Trilogy Entertainment Group, Pen Densham is an accomplished writer-director-producer. Pen created the story for the revisionist Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and co-wrote and produced the screenplay with his Trilogy partner John Watson. He wrote and directed Moll Flanders for MGM, as well as writing and directing Houdini for TNT. Pen and Trilogy have produced 14 feature films and worked with talent like Jay Baruchel, Jeff Bridges, Bill Murray, Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, Kevin Costner, Sylvester Stallone, Norman Jewison, Jodie Foster, Emile Hirsch, Mark Ruffalo, and Robin Wright. Pen is also proud to have personally revived both The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone franchises for their return to television, and was named the 8th most powerful person in Science Fiction by Cinefantastique magazine.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Jay Roach
Introduction
1. The Golden Rule
2. In the Beginning
3. We All Have Doubts
4. Are My Ideas Any Good?
5. How to Structure a Story
6. Roles a Star Will Want to Play
7. We Can’t have Heroes Without ’em
8. Now You Have a First Draft
9. Entering the Jungle
10. You and Your Story Go For a Ride
11. How Do I Survive Until I Get Paid to Write?
12. I Made a Sale. I’m in Development?
13. Beating the Blues
14. Thoughts from Other Screenwriters
15. Instant Screenwriting Library
16. Inspiration and Explorations
17. How do You Measure Passion?
18. Famous Last Words
Index Gator Glossary