Writing a Great Movie:
Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting
 Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting provides state-of-the-art training in a full
spectrum of tools for creating, developing, and structuring a screenplay. Written for writers of all levels,
this book is a practical manual in the craft of the dramatist and presents classic structural principles
as well as cutting-edge techniques. Jeff has taught his tools to Hollywood development executives at all the
major studios and they consistently say that he teaches the most advanced development tools in the film industry.
As Jeff explains each tool he illustrates them with comprehensive script analyses of Training Day, What Women Want, Minority Report, The Godfather, Tootsie, and Blade Runner. Then in the second half of the book, he builds a real
screenplay from scratch, starting with a one-sentence idea. Jeff develops and constructs the entire plot as
you watch, all the way through to dialog — describing every step as he works. Designed to demonstrate the tools in
action, rather than merely discuss them, it represents the very real process that you will go through in
putting together your own screenplay. Buy the 5-DVD set of Jeff’s Full Day Seminar for a complete course in the craft of screenwriting.
The book cost is $19.95 with a $5.00 shipping charge.
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Jeff Kitchen's Full Day Seminar
5-DVD set
 Jeff Kitchen’s
Full Day Seminar
5-DVD set presents a powerful set of tools and techniques for screenwriters of all levels. Jeff started out as a dramaturg in New York theater and is one of top screenwriting teachers in LA. Hollywood studio development execs consistently say Jeff Kitchen teaches the most advanced development tools in the film industry. In this 9-hour DVD set, Jeff first explains his tools, then shows how they work on several great films. Next, to help you gain a working mastery of these tools, Jeff demonstrates them in action by building an original screenplay on the spot. Starting with a raw idea, he creates, develops, and structures the story, immersing you directly in the thought process of a professional screenwriter. Jeff makes sure you get practical working experience in the use of the tools—the real nitty, gritty of the nuts and bolts of plot construction—so you’re able to apply them properly to your own scripts. This DVD, together with Jeff’s book, Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting, constitutes a complete professional course in the craft of the dramatist for the modern screenwriter. This is a terrific value because Jeff Kitchen’s private two day one-on-one class runs for $2500.00.
The DVD cost is $79.00 with a $5.00 shipping charge.
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Your book is by far the best book I have read even including the classics like McKee and Egri. It is the most
practical of all books and actually illustrates the soundest principals for developing a plot for a story.
C.F. York - Screenwriter
The first time I read Jeff's book it came in bits and pieces as a series of handouts for his course. Since then,
as a multiple award-winning screenwriter and graduate of the MFA Screenwriting Program at UCLA, I've kept it by my side
as a reference on each of the thirteen screenplays I've written. I would strongly recommend it to anyone starting out in screenwriting,
and to anyone who has experience and wants to improve their craft. It's powerful, easy to follow, and chock full of useful advice and
instruction on writing a great screenplay. The information on backward chaining of plot events is, all by itself,
worth the price of the book.
Chuck Loch - Award-winning screenwriter
I am thoroughly impressed by the depth and cogency of your ideas. With the gazillion how-to books out there, yours is definitely a
pearl in a sea of endless nonsense.
Martin McEachern - Screenwriter
I’ve taken McKee, Truby, and Field, but already feel I have learned more from you about structure than from the other three combined.
Daryl Warner - Screenwriter
Your development of an actual script did help me to gain a deeper understanding of the tools and how to apply them. In fact,
that's what makes your book stand out. I've noticed that the “other” books I've read fall into distinct categories, as far as teaching goes:
- Explain a technique and stop there.
- Explain a technique and give you an example of its use—usually from a popular movie.
- Explain a technique, give an example, and then show how to use it.
Your book, however, goes an extra step in that it explains the technique (including the "Why?"), gives examples of its use, shows
us how to use it (with exercises that explore the technique)... then walks us through the actual application in a developing script —
which is invaluable because every other book is presenting their theories based on the “ideal circumstances” of a finished (successful)
film. Seeing how you actually use the tools with a growing story really does add a deeper level of learning.
Alex Kuzelicki - Screenwriter
There are a ton of books out there that teach you how to write a great script from a structure standpoint, but very few delve deep into
the art of dramatic writing on a useful and practical level. What's fascinating about this screenwriting book is how Kitchen not only
gives you the tools necessary to fully understand the nuts and bolts of dramatic writing, but he also uses the tools to create an
original screenplay and reinforce their effectiveness. Starting from scratch, this is script writing at its rawest form, at least
as opposed to what I've seen in the multitude of screenwriting books out there on the market. How often do you get to sit with a
professional as they're putting everything together themselves?
Reg Seeton - from a review in UGO Screenwriters Voice
When I started down this road to screenwriting "I didn't know what I didn't know." Consequently,
I turned towards books on screenwriting. These "other" books have helped but I knew I had problems with
structure and story and felt a bit helpless with respect to diagnosing and fixing the problems. No
disrespect intended to these other authors, but their "tools" seem superficial and incomplete in
comparison to your approach. I truly feel that I have been given the tools and framework to take
my writing to another level.
Bob Keenan - Screenwriter
Script Analysis:
The Godfather, Tootsie and Blade Runner |
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 Script Analysis: The Godfather, Tootsie and Blade Runner is strictly a companion piece to Writing a Great Movie. It features state-of-the-art dramaturgic analyses of these great films, utilizing Jeff's tools. The book is designed to consolidate your knowledge of the tools by taking you deeper into their full use. For example, you get a comprehensive structural breakdown of all three films using Jeff’s acclaimed tool, Sequence, Proposition, Plot, the depth of which is beyond the scope of Writing a Great Movie. A word of caution: this book assumes your understanding of the tools and is therefore very skeletal, with no explanation of the tools. The cost is $9.95 and the $5.00 shipping charge covers both books if you order two.
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