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Writing the Thriller Film: The Terror Within (Michael Wiese Productions) |
Author: Neill D. Hicks
Published: 2002-10-25 |
List price: $14.95
Our price: $10.17
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As of: December 01st, 2008 02:12:07 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 50% great and that's enough
Using several, although repetitive, examples from various films, Hicks clearly defines a thriller film. This alone is worth the price. The word thriller is so often thrown around these days, that it's true form is very hard to find. After reading his book, I realized I wasn't writing a thriller at all. Very key information that helped me solve a few holes.
Upon completion you will clearly understand the thriller genre and be able to explain it to others. As far as helping you write a thriller film goes, well isn't defining the genre necessary before writing it? A worthy purchase.
 The BEST there is on the Thiller genre
Neill Hicks is a GENRE-OLOGIST of the highest degree. The author takes you on a tightly writtern journey into the conventions and principles of the Thriller genre. Just like a well told story, this non-fiction delight will have you saying "Oh Yeah, that's right" over and over. I have returned to his chapter "Character Ethos" multiple times, finding more depth in each reading. Even if you don't want to write a Thriller, this work will help you grasp the nuances of genre in general. Written with authority and humor, I highly recommend this book.
Terrific Book -- A Must-Have
First, a disclaimer: Hicks and I share a publisher (Michael Wiese Productions) but we've never met. That being said, this is a terrific book. Hicks clearly lays out the elements necessary to create a tight, emotionally-satisfying thriller. He outlines the narrative structure of a solid thriller in clear, helpful language, and goes on to explain the characteristics of a strong protagonist and antagonist. He also offers an explanation of the differences between an action film, a detective film, a horror film and a thriller -- and he provides examples and script excerpts from great thrillers (such as North By Northwest and Breakdown) to demonstrate his ideas. If you want to write a thriller script, or just get a better idea of what it takes to create and structure a solid thriller, this is the book for you.
Worth every penny
As a language arts teacher and story writer I found his analysis of genre to be absolutely amazing. Not since reading Marie von Franz and other Jungian views of genre and the shadow world have I found such clarity. Don't listen to those who put it down. It was obviously over their heads - as stated by one reviewer directly. If you understand Jung and psychology, you'll find this to be an excellent resource in the way Hicks creates the psychological levels of conflict resolution through his labeling of plot components and the protagonist's journey.
HOW TO MASTER THIS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT GENRE
I bought this book to help me with my current script. I thought I was writing a thriller, but after reading it, I have discovered that I am really writing a horror story! At last, someone has finally dissected what a thriller IS and ISN'T. I need to see the RULES, and they are all here. Now I understand the genre. Mr. Hicks has done an outstanding job by explaining what it is and how to do it. His screenplay excerpts are excellent. I'm going to rent "Breakdown" this weekend and study the form.
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