"Fascinating tales from the belly of the beast."
—Lawrence Kasdan, Oscar-nominated writer/director of The Big Chill, Wyatt Earp, Body Heat, and Raiders of the Lost Ark

Publishers Weekly

"In this companion to the documentary of the same name, filmmakers Hanson and Herman distill advice, anecdotes and warnings from 50 screenwriters, including Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), John Carpenter (Halloween), Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia), and William Goldman (The Princess Bride). Divided by topic, the text covers a wide range of issues regarding the notoriously elusive career, including the ins and outs of a first sale; dealing with producers, directors and actors; staying positive and productive in the face of rejection; and the Hollywood system at large. Aspiring screenwriters will instantly recognize most of the bold-faced names, though they won't find much help regarding the mechanics of screenwriting. Anyone who's wondered how their favorite scribe landed her first film job, or what happens behind the headlines of a high-profile spec sale, will find plenty of information, as well as general advice and inspiration."

Library Journal

"Hanson and Herman, screenwriters and producers of a documentary of the same title that was an official selection at the Newport Beach, Palm Springs, and Sonoma film festivals, present a behind-the-scenes look as 50 veteran Hollywood screenwriters who take readers through the whole screenwriting process as they experienced it. This is a quick read that shares a lot of pertinent information from such screenwriters as William Goldman (All the President's Men), Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), and Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) on what the life of a screenwriter is really like in Hollywood...Anyone with an interest in screenwriting or Hollywood careers will learn a lot of practical information quickly from Tales from the Script."

Screenwriting from Iowa: Tales from the Script

"This weekend I picked up the book Tales from the Script; 50 Hollywood Screenwriters Share Their Stories edited by Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman. The book flows from a 105-minute film that is a series of interviews with–I’m guessing 50–screenwriters including Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) and William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)...The book is full of more quotes that reinforce what I’ve been blogging about here for the last two years." Read More...

'Tales From the Script' – screenwriters dish on their work in DVD/book project

"The dual work is the brainchild of Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman, who combine ample credits as directors, producers, screenwriters and book editors, and conceived the project to examine some of the myths and mysteries of that most misunderstood craft of screenwriting. Gathering a virtual who's who of Hollywood scribes for talking-head appearances on film and anecdote-filled entries in a softcover book, the authors have managed to compile an entertainingly comprehensive gabfest in which screenwriters discuss the various hardships and occasional triumphs of their elite profession." Read more...

John August: Tales from the Script

"I'm interviewed in the new book Tales from the Script, which talks to a bunch of screenwriters about their experience working in the industry." Read More...

"Relentlessly entertaining!" —New York Magazine

"Full of wry one-liners, well-spun anecdotes, and pithy observations on the movie-making industry." —The Village Voice

"Tales from the Script is actually the ideal summation on the art of screenwriting: rigorously structured, filled with great stories." —NPR.org

Amazon.com

"Given the indignities to which they are subjected, screenwriters can be forgiven if they feel under-appreciated or consigned to the bottom of the Hollywood totem pole. Now, it's payback time. This entertaining companion to Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman's book of the same name gives writers the first and last word on their craft and making it (or not) in the business." Read More...

Tales from the Script Documentary Featuring John Carpenter, Frank Darabont and More!

"If you’re a fan of movies, you can’t help but love hearing the crazy behind-the-scenes stories of what goes into the making of a major Hollywood film...the unfortunate thing is that a lot of the best stories go unheard, because no one wants to publicly bad mouth anyone or burn bridges in the industry. Well, somehow Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman managed to get an impressive line-up of highly respected folks to sit down and talk about their experiences, specifically related to the topic of screenwriting." Read More...

Understanding Screenwriting: Review of Tales from the Script

"Screenwriters are smart, quick, literate, and have collected and burnished a lot of great stories that they are more than willing to tell. All you have to do is ask them. And they know how to do it, because storytelling is their life. And they know how to use the fewest number of words, because that's their job. So I am guessing that the 'idea' for this film that Herman came up with was simple: let's interview a bunch of screenwriters on camera. Very often the single decision to make the picture is the most crucial one." Read More...

DVD Talk Reviews Book and Film: Tales from the Script

"Tales from the Script is documentary that consists solely of interviews with prominent (and a couple of not-so-prominent) screenwriters exploring the triumphs and tragedies of being a writer in Hollywood. The interviewees' comments are cut together in thematic groups that cover everything from making a pitch to working with superstars to the role of the writer on a film set. This compendium of anecdotes and insight is an excellent record of the writer's perspective on the film production process, and will be an invaluable document for those considering any kind of career in the movies." Read More...

Tales from the Script Review

"So it was with great enthusiasm that I viewed Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman’s documentary, Tales from the Script. This is definitely a documentary for people who already love to write (whether it be prose or screenwriting) or who simply want to understand more about the process. I enjoyed getting to see and hear some of my heroes talk about the day-to-day grind of pumping out pages of text. The film paints a realistic (but nonetheless enticing) picture of what the average screenwriter in Hollywood must put up with on a creative and business level, as well as the lack of respect they receive." Read More...

DVD Review: Tales from the Script

"Forty-six top-notch Hollywood screenwriters—including Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), John Carpenter (Halloween), Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption), Ron Shelton (Bull Durham), William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid), Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), Melville Shavelson (Houseboat), Steven de Souza (pictured, Die Hard)–discuss their craft in this lively talkfest from filmmakers Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman. Topics discussed include pitching ideas, relations with directors, rewrites, dealing with zealous studio execs and the pitfalls of instant success." Read More...

Home Media Magazine: DVD Review

"'Talking heads documentary' can be a pejorative term, but when the subject is screenwriters discussing their craft and, too often, their heartbreak, the talk is likely to be on a very high level. Like Gerard Peary's recent nonfiction portrait of film critics and their profession's history (For the Love of Movies), Tales is the most telling screen portrait on its subject that we're likely to have." Read More...

Tales from the Script Blog Review

"TALES FROM THE SCRIPT is a great documentary that all screenwriters both new and abused should see. Filmmakers Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman interviewed dozens of professional screenwriters about their work, the business, and how the role of the screenwriter has changed over the years." Read More...

Tales from the Script Blog Review

"I have great respect for all the ladies and gentlemen who participated in the 'Tales…' project in book and/or film. To take time out of their busy careers to impart their hard won wisdom to those aspiring to do what they are doing is a priceless and generous gift that can ignite careers and change lives. These folks – and certainly the filmmakers – are truly paying it forward (backward?), so a big thank you to any of them who may be reading this, and an especially large thank you to Peter and Paul for putting this all together." Read More...