SYD FIELD'S "SCREENWRITING CRASH COURSE" COMES TO NYCNEW!
Don't miss Syd Field as he presents two sessions only of his very exclusive 4-hour crash course on the art and craft of screenwriting in New York City, at the Hotel Pennsylvania, on Saturday, June 8th, 2013.
"Despite creating one of the year's biggest box office hits, Oscar-nominated Bridesmaids co-screenwriters and longtime friends Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wigg are self-effacing, readily confessing to embarking on their script by buying a how-to book. "We didn't know what we were doing," Wiig says. "We bought Syd Field's book, and then we were like, "OK, I think on page 30, our first act has to be over…?'" (from Deadline Hollywood)
SYD FIELD SCRIPT LAUNCHER - NOW AVAILABLE FOR LIFTOFF
Now available in the iTunes Store, Syd Field Script Launcher is an interactive application--compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch--guided by specific topics, select questions and written exercises that are the basic foundation of the screenwriter's craft and all story telling. Create your idea, then extract the essence of that idea into a Subject – the Action and Character.
Syd Field now posts regularly and corresponds with many of his fans and followers via both Facebook and Twitter.
Click Here to "Like" Syd Field on Facebook. Click Here to follow Syd Field on Twitter.
SYD FIELD ON TVO's "SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES"
Recently, an excerpt of an interview Syd Field did years ago showed up on the YouTube page of TVO, Ontario's public educational media organization. The short clip is part of TVO's "Saturday Night at the Movies." In it, Syd Field discusses screenwriting, Sam Peckinpah and The Wild Bunch:
Syd Field is featured on Pilar Alessandra'sOn The Page Podcast (Episode 201, July 15th). The two screenwriting professionals share tips on everything from writing in Hollywood to getting around Los Angeles.
In their "Expert Series" of interviews with screenwriting experts, Writers Store asks a few questions of Syd Field. Click here to read his answers.
THE JERUSALEM POST INTERVIEWS SYD FIELD
The January 22, 2011, edition of The Jerusalem Post featured an interview with Syd Field by reporter Hannah Brown.
It was Syd Field's first visit to Israel and he was enthusiastic about visiting the country to teach workshops at Screenwriters Summit Israel. He was joined in Tel Aviv by fellow screenwriting teachers Linda Seger, Michael Hauge and John Truby.
The interview, titled "Like Packing a Suitcase," covers a variety of topics, including his personal Hollywood history, philosophy about the writing process and the future of screenwriting.
In August 2010, Vancouver Sun journalist John Mackie interviewed Syd Field and got his advice from four decades in Hollywood.
From his early days as an actor to his success with Screenplay and acclaimed international teacher of screenwriting, Syd gives some insight and advice to aspiring screenwriters and storytellers.
Syd was in Vancouver as part of the The Screenwriters Summit 2010 in Vancouver, along with Linda Seger, Michael Hauge and John Truby.
My Name is Khan, a film on which Syd Field worked as script consultant and is being distributed by Fox Searchlight in the United States, premieres in select theaters. Story and screenplay were written by Shibani Bathija. The film was produced by Hiroo Yash Johar & Gauri Khan and directed by Karan Johar. Click here to watch the film's trailer.
JUDD APATOW ON SYD FIELD
The July/August 2009 issue of Creative Screenwriting contains an interview with writer/director Judd Apatow, in which he remembers studying at USC with Syd Field:
"Judd Apatow attended USC Film School with a focus on writing and took a class from legendary screenwriting Guru, Syd Field. He was always looking for a way to tell more original stories and, in the beginning fought his education concerning story paradigms and then realized that gaining a basic education of the accepted theories would give him a stronger foundation to build upon once he become confident enough that he could deviate from them.
"What I learned in Syd Field's class," Apatow says, "was here's how Annie Hall works, and here's how Witness works and then I begin to think, ‘OK now how would I do it differently than that?' That concept of ‘Always being in learning mode' has stuck with me to this day. Even now, I think, "Well I'm not fantastic visually, so how could I do it better? I hire somebody to do it for me...."
--Judd Apatow, Writer/Director The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People
Creative Screenwriting, July/August 2009
Tina Fey and Anthony Zuiker also recently cited Syd Field in interviews about their process and success:
[When I wrote Mean Girls] "I did a million drafts. And I did the thing everybody in Hollywood does: I read Syd Field and I used my index cards."
--Tina Fey, Emmy Award Winner 30 Rock, Mean Girls
New York Times
"I was working at the Mirage, on the graveyard shift, making $8 an hour; I invent bill boards for the heck of it, I'm writing letters and now you want me to write a screenplay?
"So I went to the bookstore and bought three books by Syd Field on screenwriting...I began to write this movie...The Runner. Six weeks later, I had this movie that's actually pretty damn good...and sold it for $35,000. That was the pivotal moment, the beginning of everything."
--Anthony Zuiker,
Creator/Executive Producer CSI and CSI: Miami
Los Angeles Times, Calendar
SYD FIELD: EVOLUTION/REVOLUTION
In his article Evolution/Revolution, Syd Field explores the evolution of screenwriting and how it has changed because of the advance of technology.
CNN.COM - SYD FIELD ON 3-D
CNN.com turned to Syd Field for his views on the emergence of 3-D and the challenges facing filmmakers using the technology. The article, "3D projects new vision for the movie industry," is now available on CNN.com...click here.
SYD FIELD: CHECK POINTS
Your screenplay is done. You've written your heart out and you can't wait to have the rest of the world read it. But before you start sending it out to agents and producers, please be sure you read Syd Field's Check Points For Writing A Better Screenplay.
You'll be glad you did!
SYD FIELD: "HEART OF HOLLYWOOD"
On Saturday, October 11, 2008, Syd Field was interviewed on KGIL 1260 AM by Joe Sutton for the program "Heart of Hollywood."
Their entertaining discussion traces Syd's history: From growing up in Hollywood to learning screenwriting and becoming its best known teacher. Syd also shares his excitement about the future of cinema around the world.
Syd Field is interviewed by reporter for Philippine TV.
A LETTER FROM SYD FIELD
Dear Screenwriter,
I believe that filmmaking is in the middle of an evolution/revolution; and the change has taken place in the theatre of technology as the state of digital filmmaking has become more pronounced. This development has facilitated traditional as well as non-linear storytelling, making available countless new storytelling tools to screenwriters around the world. It is an inspiring and innovative time to be a screenwriter.
My books on screenwriting were inspired by the great French Film Director Jean Renoir's statement that a movie should be like an act of revolution. I feel the screenwriter should take responsibility for stimulating the audience into action; to think -- to feel -- to passionately inspire others.
And I truly believe that the mission of the young filmmaker is to pave the way for the future. All of us embody that future. We have the imagination, the tools, the skills, and we know the craft -- but do we have the courage and the strength to bring our own personal vision into the world?
Screenwriting is a craft that occasionally rises to the level of an art. It is my goal to help inspire screenwriters around the world to realize their vision. It is my mission, my passion.
Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey.
Sincerely,
NOW PLAYING
The Screenwriter's
Workbook Newly Revised & Updated Now In Bookstores (read excerpt)
Screenplay Newly Revised & Updated Now In Bookstores (read excerpt)
Four Screenplays Now In Bookstores
The Screenwriter's
Problem Solver Now In Bookstores
Selling A Screenplay Now In Bookstores
Going To The Movies Now In Bookstores (read excerpt)
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