14 months ago, as I was working on Screenwright, I never imagined the popular, critical and financial success that awaited this project. Indeed, I am overwhelmed by its warm reception among students and colleagues alike.
As noted, an electronic book can be revised or amended in a moment, so Screenwright has gone through minor changes almost weekly in the first year of its life. However, these changes have now accumulated enough that I see the need to announce a formal "Second Edition."
The main change from the First Edition is the addition of many more paradigm charts analyzing movies: from six to over two dozen. I've also made corrections and additions to modules but nothing major in substance has been changed.
In essence, then, the Second Edition is the First Edition with many more movie examples included.
Another significant addition has been the release of a Mac version. Alas, this version does not have the advantage of NavRoad, the wonderful, customized offline browser than runs the PC version. Mac users must run the HTML files with their own browser, losing the advantage of short cuts and power buttons. However, the demand for a Mac version was still great enough to release under this limitation.
I'll continue to make minor changes in the Second Edition as they occur to me, and no doubt next year at this time I'll be writing a brief Foreword to the Third Edition. But something else is also in the works.
I thank all the students who have written me about Screenwright. I hope many more will write me in the year ahead.
In the meantime, keep your dreams and study hard. The craft of screenwriting is a small jewel. Learn it well.
Charles Deemer
August 28, 1998
8/98