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Okay, you've written a screenplay. You probably think it's pretty good or you would've tanked it by now. A few friends and family read it and offered some feedback but nothing you can use. So you're thinking it's time for a professional to take a peek at your baby and tell you the unvarnished truth. Now we all know there are a lot of writers out there and a ton of screenplays circulating, the vast majority of which, pardon my candor, stinks! (the words, not the writers) But remember this...
And those reasons almost never have to do with the concept. A good writer can make almost any concept work. Consider this, an aging Southern widow bemoans the loss of her independence in her declining years. Sounds like a yawn, doesn't it? But Alfred Uhry turned it into "Driving Miss Daisy" and won Best Picture Oscar in 1989. I suspect you have a darn good tale, maybe even a great one. So if your concept isn't the problemo, it's got to be your execution. But, c'mon, that's understandable, isn't it? You're still learning. Learn this: Screenwriting is a craft. Storytelling, an art. You have your story. Now you need to learn some craft -- how to tell your story -- how to put it on paper -- how to write that jaw-dropping screenplay. On April 14, 1976 I received a call from Paramount Studios informing me that Michael Landon had bought my spec script for "Little House on the Prairie." Since that date I have been a Hollywood "Working" Writer. I've acquired about 60 TV credits, written a bunch of movies for cable and received critical acclaim for my feature motion picture. I've been rewarded with 3 Emmys (5 nominations), the Humanitas Prize (2 nominations) and 1 Writers Guild Award (4 nominations). The Western Writers of America honored me with their Spur Award and my movie won Best Picture at a number of prestigious film festivals. I currently have several television and motion picture projects in development. My film "Night of the Wolf" starring Anne Archer and Robert Urich aired recently on the Animal Planet. And I was awarded the Writers Guild Award in 2004 for my script "The Maldonado Miracle" produced and directed by Salma Hayek and starring Peter Fonda, Mare Winningham and Ruben Blades. Did I mention I've taught Writing for Film and Television at Pepperdine University? So now you're asking, if he's such a busy "working writer," how's he have time to read and analyze peoples' screenplays? Answer is, I love to read, I love to write, I love to critique and I love to teach. And no matter how busy I am there's always time to read a new screenplay and give an eager screenwriter the benefit of what it's taken me years of practical experience to learn. Okay, that's enough about me, let's talk about you. What do you think about me? Sorry, I had to do it. That's my second favorite line from any movie (Bette Midler, Beaches). No really, let's talk about you. What do you want? You want a better screenplay, right? Well, here's what I'll do. I'll read it and write an in-depth analysis and review of your screenplay. I'll find those specific reasons why your script doesn't work (assuming, of course, your script doesn't work). I'll cover everything pertinent regarding the mechanics, formatting and story content. I'll provide you with script/page notes and offer specific suggestions to improve your story. We can discuss it on the phone, if you like, and I'll help you with a one-page synopsis and the all-important agent query letter. And I'll do all of this in a very professional and (you'll appreciate this) compassionate manner. Everything we discuss will be kept strictly confidential and you will retain sole ownership of the material at all times. My job isn't to cut your legs off. I'm going to give you the tools you need to be the best writer you can be. And I'm going to start right now. Get a crumpled scrap of paper out of your overflowing waste can and scribble down the premise of your story. C'mon, I'll wait. Still waiting... C'mon, write the premise of your story and do it in 10 words or less. Better yet, make it 8 words. Did you do it? Yes? No? Okay, here's where we are. You either wrote your premise (not logline, that's something different) in 8 words or you didn't. If you can't do it, then you're in trouble. Premise is the most important writer's tool you have. (Logline is a selling tool, don't get the two confused.) Do you even have a working definition of Premise? Probably not. But if you don't know precisely what the bare-bones, essential elements of your particular story are, then how can you ever expect to tell it? Arthur Miller said he always types out his premise on a slip of paper before beginning a new play, and tapes the slip to the carriage of his typewriter. Presumably, so that every word he types thereafter will be filtered through the premise. There are three crucial questions that must be asked concerning any story. If you know the questions and can answer them correctly with regards to your story, then you will have your premise and understand the reasons for your screenplay's strengths and weaknesses. My philosophy is, keep it simple, Jack. Some folk go into theory and 9 to 24 Act structure, myth creation and thematic whatzit. Makes me dizzy. I simply show you why your story works or fails. You probably have too many words and not enough story. Your script is packed with story stoppers -- I will seek out and kill them. We'll discuss in length your structure, pacing, characterization and the all-important dialogue. Earl Hamner, creator of "The Waltons" and "Falcon Crest", told me that after a character speaks 16 words, the audience stops listening. So now you're convinced. You're willing to peel off some skins and hand your baby over to a pro. But which pro? There are a lot of us "industry professionals" out here. Many, I suspect are very good. But ask them for their credits. Find out just how many scripts they've actually written (and sold). Most of these professionals are readers, not writers. Some will charge you $350 up to $850 and more. Seems kind of steep to me. I figure $265 U.S. is a fair figure. Take my MINI COURSE IN SCREENWRITING. It's packed with valuable information you must know in order to write a viable screenplay and it's FREE! Just write me and ask for it. I'll e-mail it to you. And when you're ready to send me your screenplay, read my Policies and Services statement. E-mail me if you have any questions at all and let's see if we can create something beautiful together.
Paul W. Cooper, Content © 2001-2006 by Paul W. Cooper |