Though somewhat dated, still a very good place to start for a background in screenwriting. Helpful tips on setting up an outline before even starting the initial draft. Extremely easy to follow tips on the type of script you want to write, and how to capture the attention of readers during the opening pages. A little to much emphasis on camera angles though, especially when writing Spec scripts.

Very good book to learn the rules and structure of a screenplay. I believe this book really helps to breakdown the screenplay so that it's not as difficult to write. The only thing with this book I would like to have been different is some of the movies. Some of the movies he chose to talk about I have not seen before. When I rented them to understand what he was talking about I didn't really like any of the movies he picked. I guess it's just a different generation.
If you are looking at this book to buy this is what you should expect: you will learn the three act structure and how to break it down to focus on the important aspects of writing. Watch a lot of movies (that you like) and study them with the book, it helps. If you are a beginner, this book is a great place to start. He does get a little redundant at times, but it's still a good book.

This book is very much oriented around following a certain structure. Syd focuses on describing the three act structure and how to build your screenplay in this structure. While structure definitely is a valuable element, I would not recommend anybody concentrating on it too much, cause the right structure will come in the right way for your script. Much more important elements like how to create rich characters and to enhance your story are not dealt with very much. If creative advice is given it comes across in a quite rigid way, and is lacking foundation. You really feel that Syd didn't gain his knowledge by working as a professional screenwriter, but just by analyzing them. I am missing that kind of sensitivity, creativity and flexibility in his messages to writers that would come from persons who have really written screenplays themselves. To sum it up: The book was not valuable for me, in fact it left me disappointed and a bit frustrated. Other screenwriting books on the contrary have been a very inspiring and motivating source!