The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting

Great book - very well thought out and written - I highly advise doing the live classes with Gill too - everything makes even more sense then

I've tried various methods, tips and tricks over the years but nothing really stuck. For 20 years I've poked and prodded at ideas but never got out of first gear, until I tried this book! In actual fact I watched Jill on YouTube and her Nutshell technique spoke to me. The key here is she did the heavy lifting for me. She has developed a fantastically simple guide that walked me through the process of what exactly makes the secret sauce for a story. It helped me understand exactly WHY I loved movies like Groundhog Day and The Bourne Identity by 'Nutshelling' about 30 movies in the back of the book. To be clear, this isn't a book about outlining a story. It's a step before the outline where she tasks you to complete 8 things such as the characters flaw and how by the end a reversal must have happened. She explains why this reversal must happen along with other crucial things that MUST happen in order to create the most rounded and satisfying version of your story. My idea might still be rubbish but I can't blame the book! I loved it and give it 5 stars along with my full recommendation.

A wholly original and inspiring way of looking at 3 Act structure. But Jill Chamberlain repeats herself (sometimes word for word). A shorter, tighter book would have been even better.

very good book on screenwriting good visual way of explaining concepts. good value for money very recommendable.

A must read for every screenwriter that wants to make movies that matter. It's 'the' book that has made it easy for a non-film person like me to gain critical insights, I likely would have been otherwise chasing for years.

This book is genuinely awesome. I left such a positive review title, as that's how I feel. :) The book does not push you in to any structure, in fact by keeping the points to follow very (big picture) view, you end up focusing on the strongest most important parts of your story and this frees you up to write much more creatively. The nutshell technique is there to help you make your story a better story. Im using it now on my feature screenplay. I was finding things tough before, as my protagonist is a 13 year old boy, but by using the book I am making much more progress. Good luck with your writing.. Mark. :)

I came across Jill from an interview on YouTube and clicked with her straight-talking and confident style. I'm a fairly new writer and I'm looking to write for television (and hopefully film and novels at some point). I've come across a few structural breakdowns/how to's/helpful guides but Jill's ethos is the most stunning in its clarity. For an aspiring writer, established writer or simply someone who enjoys stories/films, this is a brilliant book. The walkthrough/talk throughs are engaging and the examples are a brilliant resource. For me I could see not only why I love the films I do but why (Groundhog Dog and The Matrix in particular). There is a hidden art and this book is a great way to finding the way. It can't and won't do all the hard work for you if you aspire to write (as I do) but it's a wonderful pointer. I can't praise the material enough.

I love this book, I’ve read it in on a cold, raining, lockdown morning in the UK (yesterday). It’s so well structured. I felt like it turned a little light on and I’ll be forever nutshelling films. I’ve read a lot of books on writing and this is the very very best. I urge anyone who has read a bit and decided the technique is too simple to actually put it into practise. It really gets you thinking. It’s also highly reviewed by other writers. If I could give it 6 stars I would.

This is hands down in the top 3 of the most useful books for screenwriting. If you need a different POV on the matter, this is the best option. It is a fresh take on how to structure your script.

When I first read this book, it was like a light had been switched on. Now I'm rereading it as I write a new script, and I'm certain it'll be better than my previous ones. I recommend it to anyone looking to improve their skills on developing the protagonist, character arcs, and structure. An important book for the trade.

I found Jill Chamberlain through her Film Courage interviews on YouTube (Which I highly recommend you watch) where she discussed the nutshell technique. Once I realized she had an entire book on the topic, I instantly purchased it. I find Jill to be so generous to give out her nutshell worksheets for free, and it was part of why I purchased the book without hesitation--because if her worksheets are free, then whatever lies in the book must be valuable. And it was. It was so valuable I came to write a review for it. The best way I can describe the nutshell technique in a nutshell is that its like giving characterization to your plot, and as Jill says, it's plot that builds character. Rather than basic plot beats, like any book will tell you, Jill provides emotional beats to your story. Emotional beats that give it its soul, give it its stakes, give it its value. Without nutshells, a story would be not only messy--but ultimately empty. Its the difference between a 60% rated movie and a 95% one. The 60% one wasn't necessarily bad, but it had no direction, no cohesiveness, and no true character arc. You can have the best action scenes in the world, but what's action with no meaning. And that's what the nutshell technique will do for you, give your story true meaning. I await her next nutshell book about Trilogies, or series! A subject not commonly touched upon.

Un enfoque diferente pero muy interesante, se aprende con su lectura

I just finished Jill's book “The Nutshell Technique” and I am speechless by the quality of her technique! I am soooo glad I read your book before writing my script. I am a beginner but her book is a revelation for me and I know it will improve my script soooo much! Many thanks Jill! Greetings from France. Kathleen.