The Essential Scripts

GateWorld · #1 November 17th, 2004, 10:58 PM

DISCUSS ...
STARGATE SG-1:
THE ESSENTIAL SCRIPTS
EDITOR - Sharon Gosling

Here's a bumper selection of six of the very best scripts from the smash hit show Stargate SG-1, including introdcutions, interviews, and commentary.

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Greesha · #2 December 20th, 2004, 06:54 PM

does anyone else's book have one page ending in the middle of a sentence, or is it just me?

Darren · #3 December 20th, 2004, 11:22 PM

There's a couple of those, actually -- it was a printing error. (In fact, Titan tells me that even the proofs they signed off on were right, but the printer still managed to goof it.)

David · #4 December 26th, 2004, 10:00 PM

Is this book really worth running out and buying? Does it have enough unique stuff in it? Or is it just a collection of lines to stories many of us know intimately already?

melpomene · #5 December 27th, 2004, 10:25 AM

It's got complete scripts that give you a fairly good idea of the changes that can happen between the final draft and the final episode. It focuses on the development of the show. what goes into pulling an episode together. I thought it was worth it.(despite the hugely anoying printing flaw) but then, i'm an aspiring screenwriter so I enjoy just reading scripts. huge thrill for me.....
then there's the cover photo....

David · #6 December 27th, 2004, 01:26 PM

LOL point taken. Thanks!

MartoufMarty · #7 December 27th, 2004, 01:28 PM

Does anyone know where I could buy this book? Internet, store? I'm in Canada.

Is it cheap?

Is it good?

David · #8 December 27th, 2004, 02:21 PM

I know that Barnes and Noble and Borders carries them. It's certainly available in North America. Give your local bookstores a call and see if they carry it!

MartoufMarty · #9 December 27th, 2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I know that Barnes and Noble and Borders carries them. It's certainly available in North America. Give your local bookstores a call and see if they carry it!

Local bookstore?

Hmm... It's just like the nearest McDonalds and movie theater: at least 80 miles south

I could have a look out for it next time we go to Winnipeg (which should be soon to catch all the after Christmas sales). Will keep out look.

Darren · #10 January 4th, 2005, 10:13 PM

I'd say it's definitely worth it, especially for those who are interested in the craft of screenwriting and/or television production.

And I've only read (most of) one of the scripts so far, and learned plenty I'd never heard before.

Ugly Pig · #11 January 5th, 2005, 04:04 PM

What's the text that's missing from the copies with the misprint?

Sir Ruff · #12 February 7th, 2005, 04:24 PM

What's the difference between these books?

??

Darren · #13 February 7th, 2005, 08:28 PM

I think the first is an early concept cover of the same book. The big blue is the final published by Titan.

Albion · #14 February 12th, 2005, 12:01 PM

I just bought this one and finished reading it.

My opinion is that if you're interested in collecting scripts then it's worth the cash. I certainly feel it was, because I enjoyed reading the scripts and the interviews that form the introductions and conclusions to each one.

However....

I was very annoyed with the printing error which was mentioned by other posters. Around half the introduction interviews end in mid-sentence.

The second thing which I wasn't impressed with was the 'in-depth annotations' on each script, promised on the back cover.

In reality, these were few and far between. And the majority of them came down to simply telling me "This line was cut from the final episode." or "This scene didn't make the final cut." Well, gee. Thanks. I could figure that out for myself just by reading the script and watching the episode.

It would have been much more fascinating for me to have been told why a certain bit of the script didn't make the final cut. And there are a couple of examples of that. Too few though to make that back cover promise a reality for me. I did feel quite cheated on that score.

The black and white photos, too, were a disappointment. As they're on non-glossy paper, they appear grainy and out of focus at times.

So if you're going to buy this for the 'packed with additional features' - my advice is...don't. You'll probably end up disappointed.

If you're interested in scripts on their own, however, it's a good buy. And the interviews with the writers are interesting at points.

Oh, and be aware that those annotations don't cover all of the changes between script and episode. If you rely on them alone to note where the changes are you'll miss a few good lines and scenes that never made it to screen. So read everything.

Albion

timdalton007 · #15 November 7th, 2005, 02:06 PM

Okay I know this thread is dead but I couldn't help but bring it back. I ordered this book from my local bookstore and I can't wait to get it! Is there anyone else beside the people who posted who own this book? What do you think of it?

timdalton007

Alex Rubit · #16 November 7th, 2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timdalton007

Okay I know this thread is dead but I couldn't help but bring it back. I ordered this book from my local bookstore and I can't wait to get it! Is there anyone else beside the people who posted who own this book? What do you think of it?

timdalton007

It might not come as too big a surprise that I also own this book.

I personally think it's great. Especially if you're interested in screenwriting and production it's very insightful; it's interesting to see how sometimes things tend to change from the way they were scripted once they're shot.

It's really too bad that these seem to be the only original Stargate shooting scripts that are currently available. Other than in the case of Star Trek, where you can find lots of them online. In general I enjoy reading scripts, and I think especially if you're interested in these kind of things, you shouldn't be disapointed by this book.

Ben · #17 November 7th, 2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greesha

does anyone else's book have one page ending in the middle of a sentence, or is it just me?

haha my copy has this error to, when i first read it i got abit confused about that.

NowIWillDestroyAbydos · #18 November 7th, 2005, 07:15 PM

Where is that error (what page), I haven't seen that

timdalton007 · #19 November 18th, 2005, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NowIWillDestroyAbydos

Where is that error (what page), I haven't seen that

The book should be getting to my local bookstore today so I'll post the answer probably on Monday or Tuesday.

timdalton007

timdalton007 · #20 November 21st, 2005, 11:34 AM

To answer where the mid-sentence printing errors are located here you are:

Pages 17,183, and 241. They are in the introductions to the scripts of TORMENT OF TANTALUS, 2010, and WORMHOLE X-TREME! and not in the scripts themselves so those of you who want to buy this can breath easy.

timdalton007