Choice of Writing Style
You choose based on a common point of reference:
1. The first, which I call modern spec style, is embodied in the Helgeland screenplay Bloodwork. This style prefers a minimalist approach to sluglines for readability and utilizes a minimum of CAPS for shot suggestion. This style is most commonly recommended to screenwriters writing spec scripts for big-budget hollywood. The ideal maximum page count for this kind of screenplay is 115 pages.
2. The second style, which I call modern shoot-to-direct style, is embodied in the Gilroy/Helgeland screenplay Bourne Supremacy. This style prefers a descriptive sluglines for readability and uses CAPS to call out shots. You can pick any slugline format you want, but I prefer using the academy sample.
3.The third style is Hollywood teleplay format, embodied in television scripts like Desperate Housewives. This style features act breaks for television and uses CAPS to call out shots.
4. Lastly, you may request a script be written in any style we agree on, simply by submitting an existing screenplay/format.
Script Doctoring
See also: screenwriting services.
I don't believe in screenplay analysis or criticism unless it is fashioned into some kind of creative response aimed at improving the script. Creativity is the only way to improve a script. And any script can be improved. It's as simple as that. There are far more poorly constructed screenplays made into movies each year than well-constructed ones.
Rather than re-invent the wheel completely, my script doctoring services are designed to allow you and I to communicate with a common point of reference. The easiest way for us to have a common point of reference is to refer to existing books about the screenwriting craft. You may already have read a particular book but are having difficulty applying it to your own script. There is nothing wrong with that.
I don't mess with your script. Unless you want a page one rewrite.
In the movie business, nothing is ever written; it's re-written.
30/$30 - 30 Pages for 30 Dollars - Getting Started
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COST:
| $30.00
This is the starting point for all script doctoring projects. Typically the 30 pages would either be the first 30 pages (ACT 1) or the first (opening up to inciting incide) and last fifteen (ending) pages.
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| FORMAT: | Email response (PDF if requested) containing notes. | |
| DELIVERY: | 30 days (max) from receipt of materials. | |
ANALYZE!THAT - Script reading, analysis and notes.
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COST:
| $300.00
If you like what you got from your 30/30 analysis, consider have me do a full reading of the script. I'll read the screenplay at least once, re-read the ACT transitions and main structural points and write a couple of pages of notes containing the results of my analysis along with some fresh ideas aimed making your screenplay better. If your script is well-constructed you can use my one page recommendation to help pitch your movie.
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| FORMAT: | Email response (PDF if requested) containing notes. | |
| DELIVERY: | 30 days (max) from receipt of materials. | |
FLOG!THAT!CAT - Reading, analysis, pitch re: Save the Cat.
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COST:
| $900.00
If you're informed by my reading of your script but find yourself completely without fresh ideas, Flog that Cat may be for you. The screenwriting book Save the Cat includes a thirteen point story beat outline. With Flog The Cat, I'll do the following: 1) Read the script and provide notes. 2) Provide a structural analysis with Save the Cat as a reference point and 3) Pitch a new 13-point story outline designed to improve your screenplay. And finally, I'll repeat this process three times, giving you whatever time you require between to incorporate changes from my recommendations. Work at your own pace.
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| FORMAT: | Email response (PDF if requested) containing notes. | |
| DELIVERY: | 30 days (max) from receipt of materials. | |
REWRITE!THAT - Page One Rewrite
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COST:
| $3000.00
You have at least a 115 (90 for comedy or horror) page draft of your script and everybody tells you it's a great idea but your script sucks. As long as I think the concept is good, I will do a page one rewrite of your script for WGA Scale (currently $19,186.00). Essentially I will use your draft as a treatment and then rebuild the script from scratch. If you want to have input into the structure of the script, you must start with FLOG!THE!CAT and rinse and repeat until we agree on the 13-point beat outline.If you want an uncredited ghostwrite, the fee is triple the WGA Scale plus 10 percent.
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| DELIVERABLES: | Work for Hire Agreement. Final Draft Screenplay. | |
| FORMAT: | PDF screenplay. | |
| FEE SCHEDULE: | $3000.00 non-refundable deposit.
50% due upon contract signing.
50% due upon delivery of written materials in PDF format.
You can request the WGA standard fee schedule. | |