Off the Page : Screenwriting in the Era of Media Convergence

"Due to rapid technological change, economic challenges facing media industries, and the writers' strike of 2007-08, screenwriting has been changing dramatically. While industry professionals in LA are still writing screenplays, what the studios want is changing, and there are new players in the market. Larger studios have become more conservative about the 'tentpole' pictures they need to make their bottom lines work, relying more on sequels, remakes, and established properties with track records in other media. The spec market for pre-written scripts and pitches by established professionals is in drastic decline--and viable content creation by fans and amateurs is on the rise. At the same time new opportunities for writers are proliferating in TV, micro--budget independents, games, and emerging content platforms like iTunes and VOD services. Off the Page is designed to be used by students and writers who want to understand what studios want, and what kind of opportunities exist beyond the old-school three-act structure screenplay. The book addresses specific genres old and new, a wide range of media, as well as specific professional details like working collaboratively in a 'writer's room,' showrunning, and the specific ways that scripts themselves arenow written."--Provided by publisher.