The Megahit Movies

By Richard Michaels Stefanik

Paperback Perfect Bound 9x6 532 pages This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1882373049
• ISBN13: 9781882373048
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Multimedia Systems Group
• Length: 504 Pages
• Weight: 1.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Brilliant Book

The MEGAHIT MOVIES book is probably the most brilliant book ever written on Story Design, and will outlast the books written by Robert McKee, Syd Field and Linda Seger. Stefanik breaks new ground by focusing on the psychology of the audience and arguing for the position that movies are popular because they create an "emotionally satisfying experience" for the audience. But he gives so much more in this book: by applying the cognitive theory of emotions to popular movies, he gives the writer concrete techniques for placing characters into situations that will elicit specific emotions in the audience. This is something that McKee, Seger or Field never discuss. Stefanik also introduces the importance of SUBGOALS in the creation of PLOT TWISTS as a tool for creating unpredictable stories, a topic not even discussed in any previous screenwriting text.Then there is Stefanik's theory of humor in which he provides writers with specific instructions on how to create humorous dialogue, characters, and scenes, topics not included in the books by the above mentioned story gurus. It should also be mentioned that THE MEGAHIT MOVIES book is an expanded version of Stefanik's book, STRUCTURES OF FANTASY, in which he published all of these ideas in 1992, five years before Robert McKee published his book STORY, in 1997.Stefanik's THE MEGAHIT MOVIES book is destined to become a classic text on the craft of story design, comparable in influence to Lajos Egri's THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING.Buy the book. It is great!

Two Thumbs Up and a Snap!

The Megahit MoviesBy Richard Michaels StefanikIf you're looking for an analytical approach to screenwriting, Richard Michaels Stefanik's book delivers. If you're looking for a compendium of character psychology on everything from humor to hate, his book delivers. If you're looking for a step-by-step approach to screenwriting with hundreds of concrete examples, Stefanik's book delivers and then some.In addition, Stefanik's Web site,... provides an excellent adjunct to the text for any new screenwriter. Two thumbs up with a snap!Steve Gladis

Training Manger of Television Station: Hot Stuff.

Richard Michaels Stefanik uses The Megahit Movies book, combined with videos of the Megahit Movies listed in his book, to teach an incredibly successful screenwriting class. This book is the key to successful story design whether it be for the big screen, television or your first novel. This book is hot stuff!

An excellent guide for novice AND experienced screenwriters

_The Megahit Movies_ is very easy to understand, straightforward, full of really valuable details and examples. Many of the books about writing screenplays out there (and there are certainly many) may make a good point here or there, but I often find myself wondering, "Well, what does he really mean by that?" This book never has that problem. The author is so generous with examples that the connection between theory and practice is always clear.This makes it so much easier for someone just learning thecraft, to really get a handle on what works and what doesn't.The depth of the book is only enhanced by its simplicity of design and language. Again, many of the books I've read seem to want to rely on some razzle-dazzle new formula or philosophy which will then be the "guarantee of success" for the person whofollows the guru. Stefanik doesn't try to sell anything fancy and his approach has tremendous credibility as a result.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS OUTSTANDING BOOK, THE FIRST REVIEW.

This book is a treasure of information on Story Design and Screenwriting, which is easy to use and can help anyone who is interested in writing. Teachers, writers, directors, producers, and students will appreciate the easy to use, concise and clear information. One of my favorite sections, of this book, is the presentation of the different Theories of Humor. Richard Michaels explains that anyone can learn the formula for being funny, and compares the relationship of math, humor and logic. If a logical sequence is presented in an out of order pattern, then the reader, or audience laughs. Anyone can learn these simple rules of humor, and improve their comic writing. The Megahit Movies are analyzed, showing the Antagonist, Protagonist, and Love Interests, their obstacles, timelocks and crisis resolutions for each of the major conflicts in the stories. This is also a great gift for any writer, professional, or beginner who is striving to create popular movies or just improve their writing skills. This book is a must have for any writer or library.