Writing for Dough: Adventures of a T.V. Comedy Writer

By Bill Idelson

Writing for Dough is a witty, insightful, inside look at the business of scriptwriting, by a man who has spent a lifetime in every aspect of the business. Bill Idelson had a script in his hand almost... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556660367
• ISBN13: 9781556660368
• Release Date: May 1989
• Publisher: Players Press
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Class and Book

I actually had the opportunity to take Bill's class in LA and he 's wondreful and no nonsense...got to make this a read.

One Chapter in a Successful Career

      Writing for Dough by Bill Idelson is structured in two parts - act one and act two, if you will. The first half is made up of fourteen autobiographical chapters related in anecdotal fashion about the author's personal experiences while 'writing for dough' during a period that ranges from nineteen sixty to the late nineteen seventies. The second half contains three of Idelson's prize winning scripts, and a step outline for one of them.       This is not a book about how to succeed in television, it is not a book on creative writing, it is not a book on comedy, it is not a how-to book. And while there is mention of a European vacation and passing reference to minor marital conflicts, we hear nothing of the forty years prior to Idelson's writing career and little of the dozen or so years between the end of the book (the late seventies) and the time of its writing (1989). So, it's not really an autobiography in the strictest sense either. What it is, rather, is an insightful tale of one man's very successful career in television writing, story editing and producing.       For the first 118 pages, Idelson takes the reader by the hand, mentor to protege, and asks us to be attentive to the ways of television production. Working with partners. Working with people you might not like, and some you no doubt will. Business relationships that click, others that come to an end. The successes and the failures. And along the way he proffers tips and wisdom, journeyman to apprentice, about story, structure, continuity, and clarity, and he furnishes examples from his own work and from that of other well known movies and television programs. And yes, while there are traces of didacticism (let's not say pedagogy), Idelson is not the least bit pedantic. He sees the world as a changing and evolving place in which there needn't be restrictions imposed on the wannbe budding writer who must free him/herself from inhibition and maintain a positive attitude.       The remainder of the book, the last 203 pages, holds three prize winning scripts.             o Get Smart - Viva Smart (with a step outline)             o The Andy Griffith Show - The Shoplifters             o The Twilight Zone - Long-distance Call The reason for including these scripts is not really intended for light entertaining reading, although they can certainly be used that way. Rather, the first half of the book has dwelt extensively on story, structure and character, and these scripts are real world examples of television writing at its best. Read them, dissect them, analyze them, study them. The first half of the book tells us about Idelson's life in television. The second half shows us his work. A critical read will yield the most value from each. Yes, I recommend Writing for Dough, and yes I think the publisher should put out a second printing. I consider myself lucky to have picked up a used copy.

The Best and the Funniest

This is a GREAT read!!!!! Not only is it so informative, it islaugh-out-loud funny. If you want to know the ins and outof television writing, this book is a must.

The best book on tv writing. Helped get me my first job!

Of all the books I've read on this subject, and I've read a lot... This is the best! A step by step approach to writing for television -- for people who actually want to work. One half how-to and one half annecdotes about Idelson's career. Get this book!