logo
Click to Donate

 
 A Film About the Man Who Transformed
Storytelling for the Movies
 
For eons, storytellers have woven tales of myth and history. From sitting around campfires came African griots, classic Greek theater, roving troubadours, bards, and more… until the dawn of the 20th century, when a new kind of narrative sharing emerged — Visual Storytelling — the Movies!
 
Around the globe, audiences adored movies. For decades, screenwriting was mostly an instinctive, imitation-driven business… until the end of the 1970s, when everything changed:
 
 
 
         
 
         Syd Field’s bestseller Screenplay was released in 1979.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This first-of-its-kind, How-to Guide introduced a three-act structure defined by Plot Points (a term coined by Field): the Paradigm, which revolutionized the art of screenwriting, offering practical tools to master storytelling specifically for film and television.
 
Field’s methods are grounded in his analysis of thousands of screenplays and produced films, but also in deep psychological and spiritual insight.

“Form, not formula,” is one of Field’s most potently democratizing contributions to filmmaking. Syd Field’s work is as relevant now as it was in 1979, and will continue to be in 2079, 2179, and beyond.

If you share Syd Field’s – and our – vision for human growth through storytelling in all formats, please support our efforts. 

Your tax-deductible donation will help: the filming of critical interviews, research, and acquisitions of archival materials.
             


 
Screenplay became the bible for everyone dreaming of writing a film script, and many Hollywood development professionals. 

“… a virtual must for screenwriters.”
– Lynda Obst, Producer – Sleepless in Seattle, Interstellar

“I did a million drafts [of Mean Girls], and I did the thing everybody does:
I read Syd Field and I used my index cards.”

– Tina Fey, Writer/Producer – Girls5Eva, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock, SNL

 
Syd Field gave lectures and seminars far beyond Hollywood. Shepherding the global filmmaking community, he enabled diverse voices to craft authentic films, reflecting their unique cultural heritages.
 
“For a writer, the most important thing is to put things on paper.
[Field] helped you put things on paper.”

– Alfonso Cuarón, Writer/Director – RomaY Tu Mamá TambiénGravity 
 
 

 
What’s the Story? will celebrate Syd Field’s ongoing legacy: 
 
“A well-told story has the power to change us. To show us who we are. And often, who we truly hope to be.” 
 
If you share Syd Field’s – and our – vision for human growth through storytelling in all formats, please support our efforts. 

Your tax-deductible donation will help: the filming of critical interviews, research, and acquisitions of archival materials.


 

Donate via Credit Card or eCheck

Details

$25
$75
$100
$500

Personal Info

Billing Address

Payment

Secure transaction provided by
Summary of your donation
Donation period Total
SFD, LLC FAQ
Is my donation tax deductible?
Depends on a few factors like if you received a reward in exchange for the donation and the value of your donation above that rewards cost, etc. You may contact the nonprofit you donated to directly to receive information on whether or not your donation is tax deductible. Nonetheless, the emailed receipts you will receive for your donation is the documentation you need to make it tax deductible.

WeDidIt FAQ
Is my donation and credit card info secure?
Yes, the security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We will not sell, trade or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, and we will only share personal information if you have given us specific permission to do so.

How do I know that my donation was made successfully?
You will receive an emailed receipt immediately after your donation is submitted and your credit card is processed. Your donation will also show up on your bank or card statement within 1-3 business days.

Do I get a receipt?
Yes, a receipt is sent to your email inbox once your donation is processed. Please be sure to keep a copy of your receipt for tax purposes. If you select a recurring donation, you will be sent an individual receipt each period when your donation is processed.

Is my donation private?
We will not share or sell a donor's personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations.