FAQ

What is a script consultant and are they worth it?

Script consultants are often individuals who work in some capacity in the film and television industry, who provide you notes and feedback on your screenplay for a fee. Ideally, a good script consultant has the professional experience and record of success as a working screenwriter with the know-how to legitimately help you take your script to the next level. As to whether they’re worth it, I will say this — in my extensive career, I’ve been lucky enough to enlist a handful of trusted industry friends and colleagues (script consultants, if you will) to read my scripts and provide me detailed feedback. I have found their input invaluable to improving the quality and marketability of my screenplays and would not have achieved nearly the success that I have without it.

Why should I work with you over other screenwriting coaches?

Over the years, I’ve managed to sell more scripts for more money than the vast majority of Writers Guild of America members. I’ve been fortunate enough to have my movies produced with A-list movie stars and worked closely with some of the most successful Academy Award-winners of all time. In so doing, I’ve been able to soak up a great deal of first-hand knowledge and experience that I am now privileged to pass along to those who might be interested. One thing I learned very early in this business is that the best path to success is to sit at the table and learn directly from those that have already demonstrated success.

What level screenwriter do I need to be to benefit from working with you?

Whether you’re a seasoned professional with produced credits under your belt, or a first-time screenwriter with absolutely no experience at all, I believe that I can provide tremendous value to your writing process. For those who are beginners, I’ll walk you through it step by step, explaining exactly how I conceive, execute and then sell my pitches and scripts to Hollywood. And for those with more experience or even working pros, as they say, iron sharpens iron — and speaking for myself, I always seek “consultant” feedback on everything I write. Because it helps me catch things I might have missed and just plain makes my scripts better.

Why do your services cost more than some other consultants and how did you arrive at your pricing?

In an effort to be very clear and upfront about my pricing, allow me to break it down for you: it usually takes me about two to three hours to read a typical feature-length screenplay, followed by an additional two or three hours to prepare and organize detailed, personalized feedback for you. Then, we’ll spend another hour discussing the script together over the phone. And of course, in addition to all of that, my fees are inclusive of my decades of proven expertise and industry experience.

Do you consult on tv scripts as well?

Absolutely. Having co-created and been a showrunner on the FOX one-hour network drama, John Doe, as well as having sold several TV pilot ideas to studios like NBC, FOX, CBS, UPN, and Sony Television, I am well-versed in the writing and selling of teleplays as well.

Can you show me how to turn my novel into a screenplay?

Absolutely. Having adapted multiple best-selling novels into screenplays for companies like Warner Brothers and Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil, as well as adapting my own screenplays back into novellas, I have plenty of experience to impart in this realm as well.

Do you guarantee my script will sell if I apply your feedback?

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in this business, so I’m afraid I do not. But what I can guarantee you is that if you take the time to diligently implement my well-considered suggestions and feedback, you will tremendously increase your odds of success, and possibly save yourself months or even years of toil going down misguided roads of creative frustration.

Do you guarantee I will get an agent or manager for my script if I apply your feedback, and/or will you help me get an agent?

See above about guarantees :) No, I can’t guarantee your script will garner you an agent or manager, nor do the constraints of time allow me to directly attempt to secure one for you. However, what I can do is tell you exactly how, with virtually no meaningful contacts in the industry, I managed to obtain my very first literary agent. And then another one. And another one. It’s a process, that requires a little research, some immunity to rejection, and a lot of legwork and follow-through. But it absolutely can be done — provided the script you’re sending out is ready to go. The reality is, agents and managers are desperate to read a great script that they know they can sell. My objective is to help you make that your script!

Will you produce my script or send it to other producers or studios? If I paid you to do so?

I would never charge someone to send their script to representatives, directors, producers, or executives, and you should be wary of anyone who does. Pay-for-play arrangements don’t really benefit anyone as your script doesn’t get any better, and I risk my professional reputation by sending potentially dubious material out to the town. However, if your script is truly out-of-this-world, 99th percentile great, I may make an exception and seek your permission to slip it to an industry connection. But such a scenario should be considered extremely rare and shouldn’t be an expected outcome if you order my services.

How do I know that my ideas will remain confidential with you?

As a screenwriter myself, I know the potential concern that goes along with keeping your ideas close to the vest, for fear that they will be stolen or co-opted by another writer or producer. But rest assured, I would never expose your work to anyone without your permission, and every Idea Vetting, Script Consultation and Screenwriting Coaching interaction with me is 100% confidential. The last thing I would ever do is steal your idea, however I would nonetheless encourage you to have your script registered with the Writers Guild of America and copyrighted as well with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Will you co-write my script with me if I promise you half the money on a sale?

I currently work with a writing partner on many of my projects, so I’m afraid he would view that as a breach of our longstanding creative partnership. But I am a big fan of writing partnerships and encourage writers to give them a try!

By submitting my script to you and implementing your notes, do you then own it? Or become a producer on it?

No, I do not. And no, I would not automatically become a Producer on your script. Legally, no person can claim to own or option your script unless you sign an agreement that gives them that right. And while I make absolutely no claim to your work after I’ve consulted with you on it, I encourage you to consult with an entertainment attorney if you remain at all unsure of the legal implications, as well as checking out this website’s Terms of Service.

Why are you offering consulting services at this stage in your career?

After many years during which I lived in Los Angeles full time, then regularly commuted to pitch meetings in Los Angeles from Seattle via Alaska Airlines, or spent months at a time away on location, or just plain always jumped when Hollywood said jump, I am starting to place more of a focus on my growing young family and need to gain a bit more mastery over my time and whereabouts. While I remain as actively engaged as ever in the business, I decided it was as good a time as any to finally share all that I have learned while also carving out some more quality time at home.