Syd Field, author of screenplay how-to, dies
His manual inspired James Cameron and Judd Apatow to make movies
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LOS ANGELES — The author of the screenplay manual that inspired James Cameron and Judd Apatow to make movies has died.
A spokesman for Syd Field says the author died Sunday of a blood disorder at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 77.
Derek Christopher said Tuesday that Field was surrounded by friends and family, including his brother, Dr. Morton Field, and wife, Aviva Field.
“He enriched my life with his humor, his love and appreciation for the beauty in this world,” Aviva Field told The Associated Press. “Now he is my inner pillar of strength, courage and wisdom.”
She said she is “honored and overwhelmed by the love and appreciation the world has shown for him.”
Syd Field’s book “Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting” has been required reading in Hollywood since it was published in 1979. It has been translated into 23 languages and used in universities around the world.
A Hollywood-born graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Field wrote eight books on screenwriting and lectured across North America, South America, Europe and Asia. He visited Israel in early 2011 for the first time.
Before his death, he was preparing to release video and audio recordings of his most recent lectures, given earlier this year. Christopher said he hopes the materials will be available in 2014.
Memorial arrangements are pending.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
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