Top Picks from A24's Screenplay Collection for Movie Enthusiasts (13 must-haves)
A24 screenplay collection ain't no ordinary set of scripts; it's that creative toolkit for writers and producers craving sharper feedback, stronger projects, and deeper artistic insights. Here, we handpicked 13 standout A24 scriptbooks that shaped today's modern indie film game and share unique lessons, approaches, and materials for your creative flow.
1. Moonlight Screenplay BookJenkins and McCraney serve up a script in three distinct acts, each mapping Chiron's transformative life stage. This isn't just about big screen breakthroughs; Moonlight's script is a masterclass in emotional depth and precision.
- Key Learning: Layered characters, tight writing, and structure clarifying intent drive the story forward.
- Enrichment Point: Includes Frank Ocean's foreword and 2017 acceptance speeches for that team inspiration.
2. Everything Everywhere All At Once Screenplay BookDaniels bend genres, break story rules, and somehow manage chaos without confusion. Dive deep on complex world-building, deep character arcs, and script iterations.
- Key Learning: Advanced craft reveals how to juggle non-linear plots with clear character goals.
- Enrichment Point: Includes Lilly Wachowski's intro, raw therapy notes, and alternate versions.
3. Hereditary Screenplay BookWant to master dread and psychological tension? Aster's Hereditary proves unease isn't about shock; it's about slow-burn, detail-oriented fear. Use annotated materials to blueprint your scares, proving suspense comes from trauma and structure.
- Key Learning: Emotional impact comes from unease, detail-oriented fear, and structure.
- Enrichment Point: Includes shot lists, meta-essays, and subtext-driven fear tactics.
4. Lady Bird Screenplay BookGreta Gerwig's Lady Bird masterfully builds relatable, memorable characters with short scenes and sharp dialogue. Focus on tight, efficient character work, emotional stakes, and a clear arc in each scene for a lasting impact.
- Key Learning: Focus on tight, focused structure, and specific depiction of location and language for authenticity.
- Enrichment Point: Includes correspondence, opinions, and inside access to the revision process.
5. Minari Screenplay BookIf you're scripting migration, generational, or multicultural stories, Minari gives you quiet, universal resonance. Learn from Story Quest's dedication to cultural accuracy, bilingual scripts, and rich dialogue.
- Key Learning: Bilingual materials provide a practical guide for crafting cross-cultural scripts.
- Enrichment Point: Both English and Korean text show how tight, cinematic scripts transcend language barriers.
6. Past Lives Screenplay BookSong's Past Lives shows how to make more with less. Tight plot points, rich cultural concepts, and time jumps are your keys to impact.
- Key Learning: Layer time jumps, cross-cultural concepts, and secrets organically for emotional payoff.
- Enrichment Point: Bilingual materials and philosophy discussions deepen the implications of cultural connections.
7. Ex Machina Screenplay BookAnswer the call of high-concept with real-world relevance, like Alex Garland's Ex Machina. Pair your vision with hard science and social theory for a well-rounded masterpiece.
- Key Learning: Use essays from AI experts and theorists for a solid scientific foundation.
- Enrichment Point: Includes input from AI researchers and behind-the-scenes peeks at the development process.
8. Midsommar Screenplay BookReady to defy horror norms? Ari Aster uses broad daylight and folklore for subtle tension and unsettling ritual. Study anthropology notes and primers to master ancient traditions in bold genre shapes.
- Key Learning: Subvert horror expectations by focusing on empathy, cultural traditions, and pacing.
- Enrichment Point: Anthropology notes, primers, and essays reveal how to weave believable folklore into your scripts.
9. The Lighthouse Screenplay BookTackling tight project timelines? Max and Robert Eggers have the techniques to create raw, punchy storytelling. Research historical accuracy, use vocal sparring, and visual details to create atmosphere.
- Key Learning: Historical accuracy, minimal settings, and rich dialogue create tension and take your projects to the next level.
- Enrichment Point: Dive into historical details with historians' notes, sketches, and designs.
10. The Witch Screenplay BookWriting period pieces that never drift off course? Robert Eggers' dedication to historical accuracy offers proof. Lean on original sources, detailed dialogue, and descriptions to create atmosphere and trust.
- Key Learning: Use historical accuracy, detailed dialogue, and descriptions for trustworthy period pieces.
- Enrichment Point: Access a wealth of court records, diaries, and sketches for an accurate representation of the era.
11. The Lobster Screenplay BookThink your script is weird? Lanthimos's world is absurd yet air-tight. Study how to create internal logic, use design to tell your story, and embrace the strange.
- Key Learning: Embrace the strange, maintain internal logic, and use design to tell your story.
- Enrichment Point: Set photography, annotated materials, and essays give you insights into how the socially awkward world unfolded.
12. Under the Skin Screenplay BookMinimalist visual storytelling is within your reach! Study how dialogue takes a backseat to images and action, demonstrating how to make every word count.
- Key Learning: Dialogue with purpose, creative visual storytelling, and alien perspective combine to tackle unknown worlds.
- Enrichment Point: Analyze video stills, essay discussions, and philosophical insights to understand how to bend reality.
13. 20th Century Women Screenplay BookLearn to juggle multiple voices in one script. Mike Mills' use of vignettes, voiceover, and notecards can guide your emotional arcs and character development. Integrate historical accuracy into your scripts' themes and storylines.
- Key Learning: Think outside the box with vignettes, voiceover, and notecards to create engaging characters and honest, emotional arcs.
- Enrichment Point: Songwriting insights, music, and cultural references create an immersive historical atmosphere.
Navigate the collection to learn about character development, script refinement, and collaboration strategies to create your standout projects.
1.The insights from the Moonlight Screenplay Book demonstrate how emotional depth and precision can be achieved through layered characters, tight writing, and clarifying structure in a script, as seen in Jenkins and McCraney's three-act narrative.
- Key Learning: Emotional depth can be achieved through tight writing, structure, and detailed character development
- Enrichment Point: Includes Frank Ocean's foreword and acceptance speeches for inspiration
2.The Everything Everywhere All At Once Screenplay Book offers an in-depth look at complex world-building, deep character arcs, and script iterations, showcasing how to juggle non-linear plots with clear character goals, as mastered by Daniels.
- Key Learning: Advanced craft reveals how to handle non-linear plots while maintaining clear character goals
- Enrichment Point: Includes Lilly Wachowski's intro, raw therapy notes, and alternate versions
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