Exploring the Screenplay Writing Process

Exploring the Screenplay Writing Process: Implications for Instructional Design and Cultural-Historical Activity Theory" represents a systematic research of the screenwriters' creative processes. The book is based on thorough analysis of the first hand accounts shared by successful Hollywood screenwriters on how they create their stories for the big screen. The author adopted a growing in popularity the Activity Theory as a research framework that allowed the exploration of various angles of the screenwriting practitioners' creative practices: the processes they follow, the mental, emotional, conscious and semi-conscious states they experience, the tools they use, how they interact with the Hollywood community of producers and film directors, and how these interactions influence transformations of their stories and the screenwriters themselves. The dissertation presents two major findings: the first, four main screenwriters' talents and their critical constituents as well as strategies, tactics and tools the screenwriters use to nourish their talents and further refine and master their skills. Another finding is two creative approaches, organic and analytical, the screenwriters use to create their stories, the rituals they follow, and three development phases the story undergoes in its creation cycle. To illustrate how the screenwriters applied their creative approaches, rituals and tools, the book presents detailed accounts of how the screenwriters wrote their screenplays.