“Writing is rewriting. A writer must learn to deepen characters, trim writing, intensify scenes. To fall in love with a first draft to the point where one cannot change it is to greatly enhance the prospects of never finding an audience.”
Richard North Patterson
”You want to be a writer? A writer is someone who writes every day, so start writing. You don’t have a job? Get one. Any job. Don’t sit at home waiting for the magical opportunity. Who are you? Prince William? No. Get a job. Go to work. Do something until you can do something else.”
Shonda Rhimes
“I could be just a writer very easily. I am not a writer. I am a screenwriter, which is half a filmmaker….But it is not an art form, because screenplays are not works of art. They are invitations to others to collaborate on a work of art.”
Paul Schrader
WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU…
Writing is difficult – and only those who have never sweated in silence before the blank page would think otherwise. So I want to congratulate you on completing the 1st (2nd, 3rd) draft of your creation – it’s a major accomplishment.
Now, like any good writer, you need to sculpt and hone your script to realize its full potential. Often, we’re frustrated because we know there are holes, gaps and missed connections in our stories but we can’t see them anymore – we’re too close to the material. That’s where I come in.
My goal is to answer two significant questions – what is the writer trying to say in this story and how can it be written more effectively to achieve the writer’s vision?
I start by asking several specific questions about what you think the script is about, and who is your audience. I only read your answers after I’ve read the script for the first time. It’s important to know what you think you’ve written, and what I, as the Audience/Producer sees on the page. On that first read, I mark up a hard copy of the script ( which I give you) so you can see my initial reaction and questions.
I do this because a screenplay is not an art form by itself. It’s a BLUEPRINT for other creative people to use their talent to bring your story to life. The better the story, the better the talent who will want to work on your project.
Next, I look at the script to see how you tell the story. There is craft to writing well, and though I don’t believe in formulas, I do believe in form – dramatic form. Think of it as the grammar of screenwriting. I will analyze your structure, scene construction, pace, tone, character development, sources of conflict, and the final climax to see if the story reflects your dramatic idea – to see if you’ve achieved what you started out to do.
HERE ARE THE SERVICES I PROVIDE…
This is a comprehensive and detailed breakdown of your script. I will provide a page by page analysis, focusing on such things as:
• Story Structure – scene/act design, meaningful sub-plots, crisis, climax, resolution
• Character Development – needs, distinct voice, dialogue, uniqueness
• The Principles of Antagonism – the force of opposition, dramatic construction
• Exposition – the difficult yet subtle way we convey necessary information
• Theme – how it works throughout your story, tone, pacing
This detailed analysis (5-7 pages of notes) will clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses within your script with concrete solutions and strategies to overcome the problems.
Throughout the analysis, I will discuss aspects of the craft of story that have particular relevance to your writing. I will show you how “form” not “formulas” work.
I will give you comparable movie examples so you can reference specific points of their writing to your own – helping you learn through visual examples.
I will send you back the hard copy of your script (client’s postage) marked up with all my comments over the several readings that I give the script. This is an invaluable reference tool for the rewriting process.
A half-hour phone consultation to discuss any questions you might have.
This Personalized Story Consultation is a powerful and invaluable tool to get you clear and focused – exactly what you need to stimulate your creativity for the rewrite process. Price: $500.00
Because every writer is different and every story has its own unique problems and solutions, I want to give you an in-depth service that is flexible and yet answers your specific writing needs. The Personalized Workshop Package gives you all the detailed analysis of the story consultation and an additional ten hours of my expertise for whatever YOU need. Do you want to discuss the story at length over the phone? Do you want me to consult on another draft? Do you want me to work on a scene or an act with you? Do you want me to give you a beat by beat scene analysis?
Whatever you need – I work for you.
Think of this as your own personal workshop, a one-on-one service where you get my extensive knowledge and my absolute commitment to make your story explode off the page. Price: $1,500.00
Story Development – this work would be developed to the need of the story – $100.00 per hour
Rewriting and Coaching – this work would be developed to the need of the story – Negotiable
• Scripts must adhere to industry-standard margins and font size.
• There will be a $10.00 printing charge to print out the hard copy of your script (if you don’t post one to me).
Testimonials
“Your comments are very much appreciated and now I’m going to roll up my sleeves for a rewrite. Thanks to you, I feel I know more where I’m going now. Of course, I had read about script structure (inciting incidents, plot points, etc.), but your personalized insights make it all much less abstract and more accessible to me.”
MARIA BOURASSA, WRITER
“As my story consultant, you encouraged my creativity and at the same time you guided me to a more powerful and comprehensible story. Your script analysis taught me some invaluable writing techniques and with those techniques I can move forward and became a better writer, a better storyteller.”
BETTY BENNETT, WRITER