“Weiko Lin’s Crazy Screenwriting Secretsexpands the screenwriting conversation to embrace the global, which is precisely what the film business faces. Using global references, including Hollywood cinema, and a conversational tone that draws in the reader, he illuminates the foundational principles of good storytelling vis-à-vis character/story development and execution. He quotes a mentor: be a good person and everything will fall into place. It’s a crazy secret that every screenwriter should keep in his, her, or their pocket. Because writing for a writer is life.”
—Velina Hasu Houston, playwright, screenwriter
Director of MFA Dramatic Writing, Distinguished Professor
University of Southern California
"Weiko is a highly sought-after writer and teacherwho understands the intricacies of this ever-evolving industry both domestically and internationally. It's no surprise his book is excellent as well. It would be wise to learn from him.”
—Brian Fagan, Director of Professional Programs
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
“Graduate students at Taipei National University of the Arts learnt a lot from Weiko Lin’s workshops. Many of them sold their screenplays and got produced into feature films, attesting to the effectiveness of Weiko’s “recipe” for writing feature screenplays. I am sure Crazy Screenwriting Secrets will be beneficial for emerging and professional writers, especially those with an eye on global filmmaking.”
—Daw-Ming Lee 李道明, Professor Emeritus & Founding Chair
Department of Filmmaking, Taipei National University of the Arts
“A soup-to-nuts tutorial on capturing the international audience that modern-day studios demand. Informative and inspiring, this must-read book is jam-packed with tips and tidbits that resonate.”
—Martie Cook, screenwriter, Founding Director
Center for Comedic Arts, Emerson College
author
Write to TV
“Lin’s most important advice is to explore the ‘crazy’ within you, providing practical guidance on how to mine your emotionalexperience for its story.He explains why American movies appeal worldwide and how Chinese movies differ. Weiko’s down-to-earth approach to writing and what to do thereafter, followed by useful tips on how to break into the Chinese market, makesthis book your first step to a screenwriting career.”
—Paul Chitlik, Clinical Associate Professor, Screenwriting
Loyola Marymount University
author
Rewrite
“Concise, effective . . . virtually everything a screenwriter needs to know to succeed, flourish, and craft professional work
in today’s movie industry.”
—Roy Finch, Assistant Professor
Chapman University