Mastering Fiction with Hollywood's Finest Writers

Discover the secrets of successful storytelling from twelve acclaimed writers who have mastered the art of captivating audiences across both the screen and the page.

From Nicholas Meyer (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution) to Dennis Palumbo (My Favorite Year), Lawrence Allan (Big Fat F@!k Up), April Smith (Cagney & Lacey), Ken Levine (M*A*S*H, Cheers), Matt Goldman (Seinfeld), Phoef Sutton (Cheers, Boston Legal), Ellen Byron (Wings, Just Shoot Me), John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Kellye Garrett (Cold Case), Nick Mohammed (Intelligence), and Tom Straw (Night Court), these accomplished authors share their wisdom, wit, and inspiration, providing a master class in storytelling.

These storytellers offer invaluable advice on character development, plot structure, dialogue, and more, drawing from their unique experiences in film and television and how those insights have shaped their approach to writing novels.

PLUS each book contains a FREE link to the audiobook version of “The Popcorn Principles Strike Back,” so you can hear the interviews as well as read them.

Whether you're an aspiring novelist looking to learn from the best or a film buff curious about the creative process behind your favorite movies and shows, "The Popcorn Principles Strike Back" is a must-read.

Get your copy today and start applying their invaluable lessons to your own storytelling journey!

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Ignite Your Writing with Cinematic Flair: The Popcorn Principles Unleashed

Unveil the secrets of blockbuster storytelling in your novels!

Introducing "The Popcorn Principles Unleashed: A Workbook for Novelists" – your definitive guide to infusing your writing with the suspense and drama of Hollywood's greatest hits. This hands-on workbook offers nearly 50 writing exercises with examples from over 60 hit films.

Launch Your Story with a Bang!

Begin your journey with a bang as you master the art of the gripping opening. With exercises inspired by the likes of Gravity, you will learn to capture readers' attention from the very first page, refusing to let go until the final, satisfying end.

Create Characters That Shine Brighter Than The Stars!

Delve into the heart of your story with tools designed to carve out characters that are as charismatic and flawed as Hollywood's finest. Bring your characters to life with emotional depth, dreams, and desires that leap off the page and into the reader's heart.

Master the Rhythm of Your Narrative!

Learn the maestro's art of pacing, holding your reader in suspense with rapid-fire tension, then offering reprieve with moments of deep emotional connection. This workbook guides you through the intricacies of pacing with the precision of a seasoned screen editor.

Craft Vivid, Visual Prose!

Embrace the screenwriter's creed of "show, don't tell" and transform your descriptions into vibrant, cinematic scenes. Engage all senses, pulling readers so deep into your story they'll forget the world around them.

Plot Twists That Surprise and Delight!

Inject your storyline with the electrifying element of surprise. Learn how to plant seeds of intrigue that blossom into unexpected plot twists, keeping your readers on the edge of their seats, eager for more.

Bring It All Together!

Tie your narrative threads into a satisfying conclusion. With the art of the callback, you'll create a resonant story that leaves a lasting impression, echoing in the minds of your readers long after the final page.

Trim the Fat!

This workbook doesn't shy away from the tough love of editing. Hone your manuscript into a lean, powerful narrative, as potent as a critically acclaimed indie film's screenplay.

Whether you're a seasoned author or a bright-eyed beginner, "The Popcorn Principles Unleashed: A Workbook for Novelists" stands alone as a treasure trove of novel-writing wisdom. Don't miss out on the chance to elevate your writing to cinematic greatness. Grab your copy now and watch your stories transform from words on a page to an unforgettable experience!

Get Your Copy Today and Transform Your Writing!

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Take your novel to the next level.

Unlock the power of the silver screen with The Popcorn Principles, a guide to fiction and novel writing.

It will help you:

• Craft unforgettable characters

• Write compelling scenes

• Hide exposition

• Structure powerful endings

With this book (and the movies it draws on), you'll learn the tools and techniques used by screenwriters, which you can apply to your own writing. Craft your next novel and become a better writer with The Popcorn Principles. (Popcorn not included.)

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Audiobook listeners: Click HERE for the NOTES PDF.

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Unlock Your Novel's Full Potential with More Popcorn Principles: The Sequel!

John Gaspard's "More Popcorn Principles: The Sequel! (Further Cinematic Storytelling Strategies for Novelists)" is an illuminating guide that takes you on a cinematic journey, revealing the secrets to crafting compelling narratives and characters that resonate. This book is an invaluable tool for any aspiring or seasoned novelist, blending Gaspard's deep understanding of the art of storytelling with inspiration from the world of film.

Gaspard presents 23 power-packed principles that will revolutionize your approach to writing. Just as a film director uses a camera to capture the most captivating scenes, Gaspard teaches you to wield your pen to craft striking narratives and unforgettable characters.

This accessible guide allows you to jump to topics that spark your interest, with each chapter concluding with thought-provoking questions and a curated viewing list, engaging your mind and stoking your creative fires. Gaspard’s approach is grounded in his comprehensive understanding of storytelling and is shaped by his vast experience in both novel-writing and filmmaking.

"More Popcorn Principles: The Sequel!" is not just a book— it's an immersive masterclass, a transformative journey that will empower and enlighten you, helping you shape your experiences, ideas, and passion into a captivating narrative. As you turn its pages, you'll discover how to harness your narrative voice, master the craft of dialogue, and weave plots that will leave your readers wanting more. Get ready to take your novel-writing journey to the next level!

You'll learn key concepts, such as:

• The challenge of beginning a novel

• Harnessing your unconscious mind during drafting

• Managing self-doubt and negative internal voices

• Ignoring external voices that hinder creativity

• The role of theme in guiding the writing process

• Raising the stakes to create tension and engagement

• Taking big creative risks for original storytelling

• Using repetition intentionally for dramatic effect

• Getting straight to the point to engage readers

• Crafting effective cliffhanger endings

• Avoiding frustrating cliffhangers that lack closure

• The importance of taking breaks from writing

• The art of movie dialogue

• Blending fact and fiction in historical storytelling

• Playing with story structure for innovative storytelling

• The role of personal cost in story stakes

• Implementing a ticking clock for increased tension

• Making the antagonist formidable

• Testing the main character's values

Audiobook Listeners — PDF Can Be Found Here: Notes PDF

Dying to make a feature? Learn from the pros!

"We never put out an actual textbook for the Corman School of Filmmaking, but if we did, it would be Fast, Cheap and Under Control." – Roger Corman, Producer

★★★★★

Click HERE to buy "Fast, Cheap and Under Control" in eBook and Paperback formats

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Learn the tricks and pitfalls of low-budget filmmaking from 33 successful independent films and the filmmakers who created them. Includes never before published interviews with low-budget mavericks such as Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Henry Jaglom, and many more.

Learn the lessons from such classics as Clerks, Night of the Living Dead, Swingers, Open Water, El Mariachi, Slacker, sex, lies and videotape, The Blair Witch Project, Eraserhead, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, Dark Star, Return of the Secaucus Seven, The Little Shop of Horrors, Caged Heat and Targets.

Are you dying to make a movie? This is the one book that can help you make it a reality.

It’s like taking a Master Class in moviemaking…all in one book!

Grab it now!

INCLUDES:

-Jonathan Demme: The value of cameos

-John Sayles: Writing to your resources

-Peter Bogdanovich: Long, continuous takes

-John Cassavetes: Re-Shoots

-Steven Soderbergh: Rehearsals

-George Romero: Casting

-Kevin Smith: Skipping film school

-Jon Favreau: Creating an emotional connection

-Richard Linklater: Poverty breeds creativity

-David Lynch: Kill your darlings

-Ron Howard: Pre-production planning

-John Carpenter: Going low-tech

-Robert Rodriguez: Sound thinking

And more!

★★★★★

Praise for the Fast, Cheap and Under Control:

"This terrific little book explains how to make every penny count on the often-arduous journey from script to screen." – John Carpenter, Director, Halloween, Starman, Escape from New York

"A helpful and funny guide for beginners and professionals alike." – Jonathan Demme, Director, Silence of the Lambs

"This book is as good as film school, and a lot less expensive. It's required reading in Tromaville." – Lloyd Kaufman, President, Troma Entertainment, Creator, Toxic Avenger

"I wish I’d read this book before I made Re-Animator." – Stuart Gordon, director, Re-Animator

"This simple and sensible book injects reality into the process and helps any filmmaker prevent their film from becoming a money pit. Lessons like those in this book are cheap at ten times the price." – John Badham, director, Saturday Night Fever, Dracula, Blue Thunder

"For everyone who wants to make art without breaking the bank, John Gaspard’s book is worth every penny." – Derek Pell, Editor, DingBat Magazine

"A richly-detailed, highly readable and inspiring book jam-packed with information that will keep low-budget filmmakers from making costly mistakes. Filled with a ton-full (not a spoonful) of fascinating, insightful interviews, with a you-can-do-it approach." – Dr. Linda Seger, consultant on over 2,000 screenplays, best-selling author of Making a Good Script Great and 7 other books

Write Your Screenplay with the Help of Top Screenwriters!

It’s like taking a Master Class in screenwriting … all in one book

Click here to buy "Fast, Cheap and Written That Way" in eBook, Paperback and Audiobook formats

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Discover the pitfalls of writing to fit a budget from screenwriters who have successfully navigated these waters already. Learn from their mistakes and improve your script with their expert advice.

"I wish I'd read this book before I made Re-Animator." – Stuart Gordon, Director, Re-Animator, Castle Freak, From Beyond

GRAB IT TODAY!

★★★★★

The book covers (among other topics):

-Academy-Award Winner Dan Futterman (“Capote”) on writing real stories

-Tom DiCillio (“Living In Oblivion”) on turning a short into a feature

-Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou”) on writing for a different time period

-George Romero (“Martin”) on writing horror on a budget

-Rebecca Miller (“Personal Velocity”) on adapting short stories

-Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator”) on adaptations

-Academy-Award Nominee Whit Stillman (“Metropolitan”) on cheap ways to make it look expensive

-Miranda July (“Me and You and Everyone We Know”) on making your writing spontaneous

-Alex Cox (“Repo Man”) on scaling the script to meet a budget

-Joan Micklin Silver (“Hester Street”) on writing history on a budget

-Bob Clark (“Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things”) on mixing humor and horror

-Amy Holden Jones (“Love Letters”) on writing romance on a budget

-Henry Jaglom (“Venice/Venice”) on mixing improvisation with scripting

-L.M. Kit Carson (“Paris, Texas”) on re-writing while shooting

-Academy-Award Winner Kenneth Lonergan (“You Can Count on Me”) on script editing

-Roger Nygard (“Suckers”) on mixing genres

★★★★★

"A perfect read for anyone who wants to write a film script or for anyone who just enjoys watching movies." – Fred Willard, Actor, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman

"This volume is packed full of useful little nuggets of information." – Jonathan Lynn, Director, My Cousin Vinny, Clue, Nuns on the Run, The Whole Nine Yards

“Packed with war stories and savvy advice for beginning screenwriters.” – Larry Gross, Screenwriter, 48 hrs., Streets of Fire, True Crime

Short, Valuable Lessons, Ideas and Insights On Making a Successful Feature Film.

Includes great tips from Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Kenneth Lonergan, Henry Jaglom, Bob Odenkirk, Dan O'Bannon, Jonathan Lynn, Carol Littleton, Griffin Dunne, Stuart Gordon, Kasi Lemmons, George Romero, Tom Noonan, Daniel Myrick and many more.

Topics covered include getting started, scripting, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. An ideal handbook for all filmmakers, providing great insights that will help you whether or making your first film or your tenth.

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Dispatches from the Trenches.

Eleven women who've found success in the film and television industry (directors, actors, writers, editors, executives) talk about what it took to get them to where they are today.

Interviews with directors Amy Heckerling (Clue, Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan), Lesli Linka Glater (Homeland, The West Wing, Twin Peaks), editors Carol Litteton (The Big Chill, Body Heat) and Dody Dorn (Memento), actors Mo Collins (MadTV and Fear The Walking Dead), Edie Falco (The Sopranos) and Debra Eisenstadt (Oleanna) and more!

CLICK HERE to grab your free eBook now!

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