Should you pay a script consultant to read and review your screenplay?
Up until a couple of weeks ago I had never used any paid script consultant services. If you read my blog you’ll know I’m a big proponent of moving to Los Angeles if you’re serious about screenwriting. One of the reasons to live in L.A. is that you’ll run into people everywhere you go who are either in the industry or trying to get into the industry and you’ll become friends with many of them. These friends become a great resource and might be able to evaluate your screenplays for you.
Since moving to Los Angeles I’ve meet many actors, writers, directors and producers. I now have several good friends who I send my scripts to and can get competent notes from them. I will often give them my opinion on their projects as well so the relationship is reciprocal. I trust their opinions and they know me well enough to know that I want the truth. In addition, I’m currently in a writers group. I present material and get feedback from other writers and in return the other writers present their material and get feedback from me. If you don’t live in L.A. these sorts of connections are much more difficult to find.
So if you know people in the industry that’s my first recommendation: get notes on your script from them before going out and spending money on script consultants.
However, if you don’t have friends in the industry your mom, brother, wife, and friends will NOT suffice in getting reliable script notes and you should seriously consider paying a trained professional to give you feedback on your screenplay.
Several of the writers in my group offer professional script notes at Script Quack. If you’re looking for a screenplay consultant to get quality notes on your screenplay I highly recommend Script Quack. Script Quack will give you high quality, reliable, honest notes on your project at a fair price.
Just enter the discount code “sellingyourscreenplay” (without the quotes) on the discount page which can be found here:
http://www.scriptquack.com/discountpage.html
If you read my blog you may have noticed comments by Script Doctor Eric. He offered to read one of my scripts and give me his “full service” script consultation. My writing partner and I recently finished a first draft of The Un-Natural, a baseball comedy about the most uncoordinated kid in the world who works harder than anyone to make his dream of becoming a professional baseball player a reality. Since we were really looking for notes on this script I figured this would be a good chance to put Eric’s service to use.
Overall he had a lot of great comments and if you’re looking for a good professional script consultant I highly recommend him. He had a nice mixture of comments and suggestions. A lot of people offer tons of criticism but offer very few actual suggestions. I really like suggestions, even bad ones, as it helps me to understand where the person was coming from with the criticism.
As I mentioned I have never used any service like this before but it’s hard for me to imagine that you’ll find a better value with any other script consultant. He doesn’t charge a lot of money for the service so if you’re looking for a script consultant, check out his website: http://www.scriptdoctoreric.com/. Script Doctor Eric did not pay for this promotion. He simply offered to review one of my scripts for free and I liked his notes so I’m recommending him. I’m not making any money from Eric by recommending him to my readers.
I’m very leery to recommend a specific price that I think is fair for script consultant services. When purchasing something like this it’s all about value. I did a quick Google search for “screenplay consultants” and clicked through to a few of them and found several that were charging nearly $1,000 for their “deluxe” service. While this may seem like a lot of money – and it is – it’s hard to say if it’s worth it. If it helps you get your script to where it needs to be and you end up selling it, it might be a good value.
When looking for a script consultant try and get some references from them and make an effort to call or email those references. Ask the references about the value they think they got for the price. Keep in mind that these references will be supplied by the consultant so they may not be too reliable. In this day and age it’s hard for someone to make a living offering a horrible service thanks to Google. So Google the script consultant’s name or website and see what comes up. You might find someone who’s used their services and is willing to tell you the truth about them.
Another suggestion I would have is if you find a consultant that you like you might try the cheapest service that they offer to start and see what sort of value you get for the money. If you don’t get a lot of value from their cheaper service than you probably won’t get a lot of value on the higher end either.
If you found this post useful and want to learn more about how to sell your screenplay please check out my book Selling Your Screenplay.
Want to take your screenwriting career to the next level? Check out our suite of Professional Screenwriting Tools.
{ 5 comments }
I am neurotic about words.. having been a proofreader, and I find it hard to take too seriously someone who has many written/grammatical errors on their page. Just a little constructive criticism. i.e. “I’ve meet many actors..” and “manager who I gives me notes” etc. Hope I have not offended you, and if I have, I am sorry, but it’s amazing how the smallest things can turn off a prospective reader. Take care. Lisa
This is a suggestion to Ashley’s readers;
Though L.A. is a great place to find people in the film industry, just like I’m sure NYC is a great place to meet fashion people, contrary to what Ashley said, and I’m sorry about this Ashley, you probably won’t just “come by” writers, directors, producers, and or actors. I know a few people through networking, and it’s still hard and I’ve lived in L.A. all my life. So this is the suggestion, if you’re brand spanking new here, take a quick Cinema course at a local college. You’ll meet people and professors all about film. Some will have some sort of connections. Not to discredit at all what Ashley said, but just tossing in another variable.
P.S. Ashley, another great informational post. Though, I personally, would be weary about just sending a script to any ol’ consultant. Do your research I presume.
- Josh T.
Nice post! As a story analyst in Los Angeles, I always encourage first time writers to consider submitting their work – whether it be a screenplay, manuscript, play, or short story – to TriggerStreet.com before coming to me for feedback. TriggerStreet is a network of people interested in writing and filmmaking from all over the world who participate in providing feedback and receiving feedback, so it’s great for those outside of LA. There’s a great system at work there — if you want your work reviewed for free by another writer, you have to review someone’s work first.
Josh is right: you should also consider getting into a few writing and filmmaking study classes as well if you’re in LA. I’m a big proponent that college is dead — just try to get a job solely based on your broad degree, — but I’ve been through the screenwriting program at UCLA for contact purposes alone … it helps. Put yourself through a producing class and meet aspiring producers.
Overall, the game seems to reflect a game of pool or chess: always think ahead. It’s not about finding that established connection per se, but rather, it’s about finding those connections that are quickly establishing themselves in their niche of the trade — whether a producer, writer, director, agent, or studio head.
Script Doctor Eric sounds like the best script service ever.
Sincerely,
Not Script Doctor Eric
Kidding.
Seriously, thanks for the review Ashley. Much appreciated.
-Eric
Lisa;
I agree with you, I get many emails from “writers” who are worse spellers than myself and their grammar is just as poor. As writers we should be more careful with what we publish/send out. I usually go back and edit posts as I find typo-s but in this case I’ll leave those two in so your comment makes sense.
I write (and edit) this blog myself without having anyone look things over and I’m often writing a post quickly. But that’s still no excuse.
You haven’t offended me in the least. Hopefully I’ll be more careful in the future.
Ashley
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