Story Maps E-Book
“There is a lot of great advice here… Most important, as I read Calvisi’s Story Maps, I was inspired to rethink my current project. And that’s what it’s all about, right?” -Script Magazine review
“In truth, I found this book to be brilliant. [But] please don’t think the book is composed only of structural templates. It’s not, and I don’t want anyone to not buy the book because they have that expectation. Story Maps gives you excerpts from actual screenplays, showing you the format and language on the page in use by pro screenwriters. Any book that gives lessons in the skill of blowing the reader away is a book writers need to read. From the Introduction to Dan’s closing, “Good luck and Happy Writing,” Story Maps delivers. Imagine sitting around a coffee shop or a bar and talking one-on-one to a movie-writing, storytelling pro like Dan Calvisi. A no-holds barred, no frills, tell-it-like-it-really-is, no sugar-coating conversation. That’s what reading this book is like.” -Best-selling author Joan Reeves, Slingwords review
“Just finished your book. Loved it! Should be required reading in every film school.” -Daniel Fazel, sold screenwriter and VFX Artist (Alice in Wonderland, Benjamin Button, Speed Racer, I Robot)
“I agree with your analysis of what makes a good screenwriting teacher. Your experience I think is perfect. You’ve read, reviewed, recommended/rejected countless scripts, unlike many of the gurus. You know how good scripts work. Congratulations on the excellent and extremely useful book. I’m about to re-read it so I have a thorough grasp, and apply it to my new script, and I’m very happy (and flattered) to write this testimonial.”
-Steve Isles Director/Producer, Authentic Films & Composer (Guy Ritchie’s RockNRolla)
“Calvisi’s Story Maps is a brilliant example of what every aspiring screenwriter needs to know about the art of writing screenplays. Dan has a no-nonsense approach to screenplay analysis that cuts through the bull and delivers the goods. A must read for serious screenwriters.” -J. Stephen Maunder, writer/director (Tiger Claws I, II, III, The Veteran, Shadows in Paradise)
“Calvisi simplifies structure, the principals of screenwriting and offers ‘real world’ insight into the profession. His book is MUST for all screenwriters… Dan, I’ve referred it to some colleagues, produced writers who can certainly use your mapping techniques.” -Michael Adante, Writer/Director (Vanished, The Line)
Read more praise for Story Maps
Learn the secrets to writing a GREAT screenplay from a major movie studio Story Analyst who will show you how to BLOW AWAY THE READER! Master the structure and principles used by 95% of commercial movies by studying detailed breakdowns, or “Story Maps,” of several recent hit movies in all different genres, including The Dark Knight, The Wrestler, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Drag Me To Hell and the classics As Good As It Gets and Sunset Boulevard.
The book cites examples from hundreds of films, several television series and includes samples from actual produced screenplays to show you HOW TO DO IT. The book provides detailed lessons on format, capturing voice and tone on the script page and developing great characters with powerful dialogue.
I’ve also included exclusive insights from major industry professionals that I’ve interacted with at events in Los Angeles and New York City, including Robert Zemeckis, the screenwriters of Final Destination, Limitless, Armageddon, Antwone Fisher, Speed and Blade Runner, Louis C.K., the President of Production of Columbia Pictures and even the legendary Ice T!
You are learning from the pros by studying their work and reading their advice.
This is NOT a formula or just another structure paradigm — it is the view from behind the desk of the people evaluating your screenplay, what they want to read and what they will buy. With all the competition in the Hollywood marketplace, your script can’t just be good, it must be GREAT.
Read More:
Excerpt from Chapter III “The Big Idea”
Excerpt from Chapter VI “The Full Story Map”
Sample Story Map Excerpt: The Wrestler
Sample Story Map Excerpt: Black Swan
Sample Story Map Excerpt: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Sample Story Map Excerpt: Sex and the City movie
Read more about Booster Pack #1
NOTE: E-Reader versions now available for purchase, below, at a special rate (Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, Palm, Kobo, iPad, iPhone and Adobe Digital Editions formats). (note: If you can load a PDF, I suggest you purchase the E-Book PDF as it has print-style formatting, hi-res color images and smoother scrolling. It’s worth a few extra bucks.)
Current Offers and Prices*:
- E-Book (PDF, includes 7 Story Maps) $14.95
- Story Maps Booster Pack (PDF, includes 12 Maps) $9.95
- E-Book + Booster Pack Special Bundle (PDF, 19 Maps) $24.94 $19.95
- Story Maps E-BOOK CONSULTATION Special Offer [Learn More] $64.95 $49.95
- E-Book E-Reader Version (Kindle, Nook, iPad, Sony Reader, Kobo, etc.) $9.95
- Booster Pack E-Reader Version $7.95
- E-Book + Booster Pack E-Reader Version Special Bundle $17.90 $15.95
*8.75% sales tax is added to each purchase.
The Appendix of the E-Book includes the following Story Maps:
- The Hangover (Comedy) 2009
- Drag Me To Hell (Horror) 2009
- The Wrestler (Drama) 2008 (Sample here)
- The Dark Knight (Action/Comic Book) 2008
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (Romantic Comedy) 2000
- As Good As It Gets (Dramatic Comedy) 1998
- Sunset Boulevard (Noir Thriller) 1950
The Booster Pack #1 includes the following Story Maps:
- Juno (Teen Comedy/Drama) 2007
- The Social Network (Biopic) 2010
- Hustle & Flow (Music Drama) 2007
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (Action/Adventure) 1981 (sample here)
- Black Swan (Thriller) 2010 (Sample here)
- Sex and the City (Romantic Comedy) 2008 (Sample here)
- Meet The Parents (Comedy) 2000
- The Matrix (Sci-Fi Action) 1999
- Rain Man (Drama) 1988
- Rocky (Sports Drama) 1977 (Sample here)
- Up (Animated Comedy/Action) 2009
- X-Men (Superhero “Origin Story” Action) 2000
Book Info:
E-Book: 232 pages
Format: PDF
Publisher: Act Four Screenplays
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0-9836266-1-9
Copyright © Daniel P. Calvisi 2011
First U.S. Edition 2011
Redondo Beach CA 90277
Story Maps Cover Design: Sonia Fiore
Booster Pack Cover Design: Dustin Tanner
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Any book that gives lessons in the skill of blowing the reader away is a book writers need to read. From the Introduction to Dan’s closing, “Good luck and Happy Writing,” Story Maps delivers. Imagine sitting around a coffee shop or a bar and talking one-on-one to a movie-writing, storytelling pro like Dan Calvisi. A no-holds barred, no frills, tell-it-like-it-really-is, no sugar-coating conversation. That’s what reading this book is like.
Dan’s Story Maps is by far the most concise method I’ve come across. Although I’ve only had a brief opportunity to work with him once on my first screenplay, I’ve used this method countless times to analyze movies I watch and to develop my screenplays. This method alone, made me understand structure, theme, character arcs and so much more. Not only does he outline the beats and turns in each act, but he gives examples from movies you’ve seen to get an idea of what he’s talking about. He’s also quite generous with his discounts and offers! For any beginner like I was, this is a definite MUST READ.
I’m an aspiring screenwriter and found Story Maps to be a very accessible and informative read. It offers practical advice and guidance in crafting a better screenplay and tools to help your plan out and organize your ideas more coherently and usefully before you start.
As I’m an aspiring writer, not a successful professional, you may be wondering if my comments are really that valid. It’s a fair call, I am in no way especially qualified to assess the quality of such a book. However, I do feel my opinion has some evidence to support it. Like many aspiring writers, I seek and swap feedback from other writers, usually through online screenwriting communities. My most recent screenplay has had an overwhelming positive response in terms of peer feedback. I really have been blown away by how well received my new script has been. It’s the fourth feature I’ve written but the first thing I’ve written using Story Maps to guide me. My own assessment and that of others really makes me feel that I’ve taken a huge leap forward as a writer since my last screenplay. I like to think part of that improvement is from lessons learned from past efforts but I’m sure a lot of it is also due to employing the models and knowledge laid out in Story Maps.
Finally an up-to-date book with a detailed analysis of the most recent styles and movies! I have studied dozens of screenwriting books and I can say without any doubt that Story Maps is definitely within the top 3 of the books that most inspired me.
Alberto Russo
TV Presenter , Journalist and Screenwriter
Probably the most comprehensive study and insight into the art and mechanics of screenplay writing I’ve found. It’s way deeper than Save the Cat and other story mapping techniques I’ve read. I’m currently re-booting my latest script with Dan’s technique. Finally things are flowing and hitting the mark. A must for beginners and pros.
Discovering STORY MAPS inside of Dan’s ACT FOUR SCREEN PLAYS site reminded me of the great scene in ”Raiders of the Lost Ark” when Indiana Jones discovers the Map Room. After much ‘lost in the desert of screenwriting books’ time, I felt as though I had suddenly stumbled upon the ultimate solution for which everyone else is also searching. Upon reading the first few pages I could not help but think to myself, “Whoa…, this is it!” Thanks to STORY MAPS, I know just where I am, where I need to get to -and exactly how to get there. Top-shelf, Dan! Top-shelf.
STORY MAPS comprises EVERYTHING you need to write a GREAT SCREENPLAY, Dan strips away all the fat that you find in many other publications or web-sites. Dan succeeds in taking the reader along an illusive juxtaposition of technicalities with creative freedom.
Metaphorically speaking, Dan is a great Swordsman who knows, like Indiana Jones, how and when just to use a gun instead of fancy martial arts to make a point!
This book breaks down screenwriting into understandable building blocks, and then helps you put it back together so that you too can write a GREAT screenplay. But perhaps more importantly, this books gives you a truthful and honest industry perspective that shines a whole new light on screenwriting. STORY MAPS flips the script and allows you to look at screenwriting from the inside out. And for that, this book is a MUST have.