September, 2012 | Tom Lazarus

L.A. BOOK RIOTS – THE END OF THE STORY

September 28, 2012 ·

When last you heard from me post the book signing riots that swept across Los Angeles– I had been saved from the antiquated three act structure of Syd Fields, Tiffany and the Redhead were spirited away and I was bagged by thugs. I awake in what appears to be some kind of huge formal […]

Categories: Lazarus Rising · Tags: Norway, Oslo, Robert McKee, The Hero's Journey, The Nobel Prize for Screenwriting Education

THE MASTER – FILM MAKING FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BRAIN

September 18, 2012 ·

Paul Thomas Anderson is a terrific filmmaker. PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE, MAGNOLIA, BOOGIE NIGHTS, all wonderfully made films. THE MASTER, too, is pristinely made; epic in size and ambition, it’s a totally accomplished piece of filmmaking. The photography is exceptional. The performances are Oscar-worthy. The story is interesting. And the reviews in the New York Times, […]

Categories: Lazarus Rising · Tags: 'AMERICAN CLASSIC', BOOGIE NIGHTS, MAGNOLIA, OSCAR WORTHY, PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON, PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE, SCRIPT CONSULTANT, THE MASTER

L. A. BOOK SIGNING RIOTS – EVEN MORE OF THE STORY

September 15, 2012 ·

I awake in a darkened classroom. What the hell is going on? It’s really creepy, something out of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. A bare bulb lights and swings back and forth. There are the two book groupies, Tiffany and the Redhead. Now, in the shifting light, they don’t look so innocent. They actually […]

Categories: Lazarus Rising · Tags: IRON MAN, Redhead, RISING ACTION, SCRIPT CONSULTATION, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, STRANGER THAN FICTION, Syd Field, THREE ACT STRUCTURE

L. A. BOOK RIOTS – THE REST OF THE STORY

September 10, 2012 ·

I recovered from the book signing debacle in Larchmont. I sold a bunch of books but the money wasn’t enough to pay for replacing my shredded clothes and medical bills. But, it didn’t end there. My phone didn’t stop ringing. Book groupies! Who knew? I’m happily married. I want to make that clear. And I […]

Categories: Lazarus Rising · Tags: BOOK GROUPIES, L.A. BOOK RIOTS, SCRIPT CONSULTANT, THE LAST WORD, THE THREE ACT STRUCTURE IS DEAD

HOW TO BE A WRITER, NOT GO CRAZY AND SURVIVE

September 7, 2012 ·

Over the years, I’ve learned how to survive emotionally and psychologically in Hollywood so I didn’t end up floating face down in Norma Desmond’s swimming pool. (See SUNSET BOULEVARD, the movie. It’s fantastic. One of the top ten movies of all time.) I don’t get my ego strokes only if someone likes the script, […]

Categories: Lazarus Rising · Tags: EGO STROKES, GOING CRAZY, KRISTEN STEWART SEX TAPE, lazarus rising, SCRIPT CONSULTANT, THE LAST WORD, TOM LAZARUS

ONE OF THE GREAT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CONCERT FILMS AND SCREENWRITING

September 4, 2012 ·

There are some great rock and roll concert films: Martin Scorcese’s THE LAST WALTZ, with The Band and others; Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads doc STOP MAKING SENSE with David Byrne, and now I’ve seen another great one: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: LIVE IN DUBLIN, a documentary on the concerts held at the Point Theater in Dublin, Ireland […]

Categories: Lazarus Rising · Tags: Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne, Jonathan Demme, Martin Scorcese, SCREENWRITING, SCRIPT CONSULTANT, Sessions Band, Talking Heads, The Band, Tom Lazarus / Heidi Klum sextape

Reviews for The Last Word

“Some of Hollywood’s most successful writers whisper about learning it from Tom! His approach is unorthodox, but crystal clear and on the money. A master at teaching the elusive art of good screenwriting. The Last Word is his best book yet.”
Sid Ganis, producer and past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,

"If you’re sitting down to write your first screenplay, you need to read this book. If you’ve written a couple of screenplays and are still trying to break in, you need to read this book. Hell, if you’ve been earning your living writing screenplays for the past six years, you should read this book. Informative, provocative, illustrative — all the qualities of the great teacher Tom Lazarus are right here. Indispensable for anyone who writes or is thinking about writing movies."
Scott Frank, screenwriter: Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Minority Report,

“Smart, funny, and helpful to the max, this cleverly organized book of tips for the professional and would-be professional writer by veteran writer/producer Tom Lazarus demonstrates why his screenwriting classes at UCLA Extension fill with wait lists. A stellar read and recommended for every screenwriter's bookshelf.”
Bonnie MacBird, screenwriter: Tron, Emmy-winning producer, and former Universal Studios feature film story exec,

“A terrific guide for beginners.”
John Badham, Director,

“Serves up a delicious feast of what writers most need but seldom get – the truth. Want praise for every page you write? Ask Mom. Want to learn, grow, and become a top screenwriter? Take a deep breath and read “The Last Word.” It’s an enormously practical, lucid, spot-on book that will make you a stronger writer."
Eric Edson, screenwriter, professor, author of The Story Solution,

"Spells out the basics of screenwriting in a clear and concise way. Ignore the words of Mr. Lazarus at your peril. This book is simple, to the point, and invaluable.”
Matthew Terry, filmmaker/screenwriter/teacher – reviewer,

“Golden nuggets which every screenwriter needs to heed. I will recommend this book to every one of my clients.”
Stan Williams, Author of The Moral Premise,

“Really good advice delivered in a really practical way. Shows you bad writing and improved writing, and the light bulb goes on. Seeing the mistakes other writers make gives insights into the writing process that you don't often find. It promotes letting go of that critical voice that says ‘I’m no good at this’ or ‘who does he think he is?’ so you can take advantage of good feedback. This is a book I will keep on my bookshelf!
Kim Hudson, Speaker, Author, Script Consultant – Archetypal Structure,

“Provides a realistic, no-nonsense glimpse at what writers can expect when an agent, producer, or studio exec is considering your script for representation or purchase. Author, instructor, and screenwriter Tom Lazarus gives us a handy, but practical A to Z approach on some of the most common storytelling roadblocks that can spell the difference from a "pass" to a "sale" in a competitive marketplace!
Kathie Fong Yoneda, consultant, workshop leader, author of The Script-Selling Game: A Hollywood Insider's Look At Getting Your Script Sold and Produced,

"Tom Lazarus serves up non-nonsense story development notes in a clear, authoritative voice. He's the kind of ally smart writers want as they confront the bare page."?
David McKenna, Author of Memo from the Story Department,

"The Last Word takes screenwriting books to the next level. Think of this as going to grad school. Tom Lazarus has walked the halls of Hollywood in both film and television and knows how things work."
D.B. Gilles, author The Screenwriter Within, 2nd Edition,

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