The Book

RIDING THE ALLIGATOR

STRATEGIES FOR A CAREER IN SCREENPLAY WRITING

(…AND NOT GETTING EATEN)

Available in bookstores and online January 2011.  Published by MWP.  Foreword by Jay Roach (director of Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, Dinner for Schmucks).  Riding The Alligator is written by successful Award Winning Hollywood Producer-Writer-Director and USC adjunct professor, Pen Densham.

This is the first book that explores both specific screenplay writing techniques, while simultaneously imparting industry-tested strategies for carving a successful, long term career.

Pen Densham reveals his emotional philosophies and professional secrets, plus insights from his company, Trilogy Entertainment Group.

Pen imparts an inspiring philosophy on choosing an artistic career and overcoming the many challenges, such as managing stress, to selling yourself and your work, to finding an agent and being true to one’s nature, all while carving a lasting and satisfying career.

Pen draws from his own, successful self-taught approach to the industry.  He speaks from a place of tremendous empathy for writers, as someone who personally identifies with their creative struggles. He believes there are many right ways to find your voice as an artist and so, going one step further, Pen has included short essays from some of Hollywood’s top screenwriters, who each share their particular perspective on their art and career.

Also provided is an “Instant Library” summarizing 10 other popular books on Hollywood, as reviewed by his USC Film Students.

QUICK BULLETS

• Written by successful Award Winning Producer-Writer-Director and USC adjunct professor Pen Densham.
• Tactics for screenplay writing, and creative entrepreneurialism.
• Instant Library summaries of 10 popular books on Hollywood, as reviewed by USC Film Students.
• Foreword by Jay Roach, director of Austin Powers, Meet the Fockers and producer of Borat.
• Gator Glossary and index.
• Enjoyable to read, informal in tone, with an optimistic and nurturing approach to creating and writing.
• Information based on author’s extensive career successes (and failures!).
• An optimistic view on dealing with stresses of a lone, creative artist – the writer.
• Simple techniques developed by Pen and his company Trilogy for structuring stories and creating compelling characters that stars will want to play.
• Personal testimonies on the craft from 12 other top Hollywood screenwriters:

• Shane Black
• Nia Vardalos
• Danny McBride
• Andrea Berloff
• Eric Roth
• John Watson
• Robin Swicord
• Todd Robinson
• Alan McElroy
• Tony Peckham
• Ron Shelton
• Laeta Kalogridis