By Forris Day JR
“Riding the Alligator” by Hollywood veteran filmmaker, Pen Densham, is a very interesting book to say the least. It is a book about writing screenplays to a certain degree, but it covers so much more. Pen Densham covers many of the usual subjects such as creating characters and story structure but he also discusses topics like selling your script, pitching your script and how to pay the bills until Hollywood comes-a-calling. Many aspiring screenwriters do not think of such things.
I have met many screenwriters who believe they have written the next big blockbuster that people will beg to see when it becomes a film. There is nothing wrong with confidence in what you do but sometimes being a bit grounded helps. Densham tells it like it is. He knows. He is there. He gives golden advice to anyone willing to listen and be open enough to realize that there is much hard work involved in the business. Sure it would be great to mail off your script and some big studio executive drools to buy it and turn it into a film, but don’t count on that. Rely on the wonderful advice and invaluable lessons given in Densham’s book “Riding the Alligator”.
He speaks to the reader about everything from having passion, creating roles that big stars will want to play, to why you should be nice to everyone including the person sitting at the front desk of the office. You will learn how quickly a bad attitude can crush your dreams. Good advice in general, even if you aren’t a screenwriter.
You will also learn from a dozen other screenwriters as they chime in with their thoughts on how to become a professional screenwriter in a world where there is a great amount of competition. Again, this is knowledge that is gold because you are getting it right from the source. This is stuff that would take you years to learn. Now all you have to do is read and understand what is being taught and discussed. Densham has done the work for us by sitting down with these top scriptwriters and picking their brains for your benefit and mine.
As the book reaches the end he has filled the final pages with resources such as books to read and websites to help you get your career in top gear. If you are serious about a career in screenplay writing then you absolutely MUST read Pen Densham’s “Riding the Alligator” or you will just spin your wheels until you learn these strategies on your own. I loved reading it and I sincerely feel you will too.
Rating: 9.5/10 – Filled with great strategies
