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The Screenwriters Web www.breakingin.net Screenplay Marketing Advice

How Can a Script Coach Help You?

Writing a screenplay is the first step to becoming a screenwriting; but it's the rewriting that separates the pros from the amateurs.

A terrific sample script is the best way for an unproduced screenwriter to find and attract that enthusiastic agents, manager, producer or film executive who can help them penetrate the film community's inner circle of power.

How do you impress them? By writing a great screenplay -- a story that's emotionally involving and connects us to a hero with which we can identify.

How do you make YOUR script great? By writing and then rewriting -- with the benefit of reliable, experienced feedback.

Do I Really Need a Script Coach?

Experienced, working screenwriters get professional feedback all the time from their agents, managers, other writers and producers before they go to market with a new script.

What about unproduced screenwriters? Typically, unsold writers only get one chance to impress an individual agent or film executive. To make sure these opportunities are not wasted, some screenwriters use an experienced script coach to help them polish their script for the marketplace.

Script coaches take workshop techniques to the next level - the marketplace. Services vary among the different companies, but most include extensive script notes, phone conferences, and personal industry referrals. Script coaches can be expensicem but if your coach has legitimate industry credentials, they can become the professional referral all screenwriters need.

Popular Script Coaches to Check Out

Michael Hauge

Michael is the author of the best-selling book on screenwriting to date: WRITING SCREENPLAYS THAT SELL. In addition, Michael has two decades of experience as a very successful writer and script consultant. He offers two-day intensive screenwriting seminars throughout the US, Canada and England.

For script consultation and seminar details---> mhauge@juno.com

For an idea how Michael works with writers and what he believes are the essential elements for a successful screenplay --> CLICK HERE.

Kate Wright - Writing the Million Dollar Script

Since 1995, Kate Wright has been a screenwriting professor at UCLA (The #1 school for screenwriting in America!). Hundreds of successful writers have taken her two most popular courses: Writing the Million Dollar Screenplay and Script Doctoring: Rewriting for Production.

Previously, Kate enjoyed a decade of experience as a film and television executive at Interscope Communications where she worked with some of the finest writers in the industry developing stories for long-form television and producing them. Kate had the extraordinary good fortune to work with the legendary Tennessee Williams; and she collaborated (as producer) with Pulitzer Prize winning actor-writer Jason Miller to win Interscope's first Emmy!

For script consultation information ---> CLICK HERE

Interview with Kate ---> CLICK HERE

Write Movies: http://www.writemovies.com

The consultants for this site are well-known industry insiders: manager Alex Ross, screenwriter David Newman, and film exec/producer Peter Saphier. These industry pros provide expert script consultation and screenwriting workshops. Writers choose the staff member they want to read their script - there is a sliding pay scale.

Scripts that receive a high recommendation are then managed and marketed by Alex Ross, who discovered screenwriter Andrew Niccol (“The Truman Show”).

The Screenwriters Room: http://www.screenwritersroom.com

Experienced film executives, Kathleen Hannon and Ann Zalid, help screenwriters break into the business. They offer script notes, phone conferences, face-to-face meetings and industry referrals if they recommend your script.

The Writer's Guild Mentors Program: http://www.wga.org/mentors

This is a completely free service provided by experienced, credited Writer's Guild members who have signed up to be mentors. Aspiring writers visit the Guild’s website and choose from the mentors who have volunteered. The mentors are listed by writing genre and work experience. The aspiring writer corresponds privately with the chosen mentor to discuss writing and script marketing issues. DON'T ask them to find you an agent!

The Screenwriting Center: http://www.davetrottier.com

Dave Trottier has decades of experience as a screenwriter and screenplay coach. Many writers he's coached have gone on to win major script contests and establish successful screenwriting careers. Dave is the author of “The Screenwriters Bible” - one of the best-selling guides to writing and selling a script.

Screenplay Solutions: http://www.screenplaysolutions.com

Experienced teacher and screenwriter Robert Stitzel offers coaching services. He is expensive, but check out his impressive recommendations.

W. C. MARTELL: www.ScriptSecrets.com

If you have an action script that needs feedback, this well-respected screenwriter has the experience and the expertise you need.

TRACY KEENAN WYNN: www.rx4scripts.com

For character-driven stories, Tracy offers special experience and excellent credentials. His award-winning scripts have been impressing writers for decades: The Longest Yard, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, The Deep, The Drowning Pool.

How to Choose a Script Coach

Check their credentials thoroughly. To be of help, script coaches should have extensive industry experience with scripts and movie-making; and they need to have current contacts.

Get references. Most sites list personal recommendations from clients - check them out. Some even post email contacts - make use of them. If you belong to a screenwriters networking group (and you should!) ask your peers about their experiences with script coaches.
BEFORE your sign up, be clear which services you are choosing and how much each service will cost.

To get value for your money, don't send your script coach a first draft screenplay. This is not a writer's workshop. Send them a polished script you believe is ready for market. Let them help you take it to a new level.
Most services offer reduced fees for scripts that you re-submit after polishing them. This can be worthwhile if your new draft is significantly improved.

Use these guidelines to explore and evaluate the services script coaches offer. Whether you choose to take advantage of these services is a very personal decision, one only you can make.

Good luck!!

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