Screenwriting guru Syd Field has died in his home at Beverly Hills in the age of 77. According to Variety, Field’s cause of death was hemolytic anemia.
Field wrote the book Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting, amongst many others, which has helped countless screenwriters. An obituary contained quotes from great writers Judd Apatow, Tina Fey and Frank Darabont.
Apatow said: “What I learned in Syd Field’s class was here’s how Annie Hall works, and here’s how Witness works, and then I begin to think, ‘Okay now how would I do it differently then that?’ That concept of ‘Always being in learning mode’ has stuck with me to this day.”
“I did a million drafts,” said Fey. “And then I did the thing everybody does.. I read Syd Field and I used my index cards.”
“I’ve gone from reading his books, to being taught by him in courses,” said Darabont. “I think one of us must have done something right! I thank him all the time for inspiring me.”
Originally published November 20, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
