Chris Neilan’s book has just launched with Bloomsbury – follow this link to get your copy

Part One is the screenwriting studies part.  It examines the neoliberal value system embedded in conventional three-act film structure, challenges the misinformation endemic in mass market screenwriting handbooks, and examines how the dominance of the conventional story model has negatively impacted film culture.   

Part Two is the screenwriting practice part, a detailed survey of alternative models and the meanings they can create: one-act structure, two-act structure, passive protagonists, complex non-linear structures and several others.  It suggests a ‘zero protagonist’ model, which I believe is unique, and expands upon Linda Aronson’s work on the ‘siege’ narrative.  It identifies models which have been used to centralize female experiences and to critique state violence, and argues that these models can be of use to dissenting screenwriters who wish to challenge the dominant culture.  Includes case studies of the passive protagonist in Roma, the two-act structure in Full Metal Jacket, the complex non-linear structure in We Need to Talk About Kevin, the one-act structure in Nomadland, the siege structure in The Power of the Dog, the zero protagonist structure in Hunger, the parallel protagonist structure in Atlantics, and my favourite subject: the untimely death of the protagonist in No Country for Old Men.