Should I hire a lawyer to negotiation an option contract?
I got this question recently: “I’m setting up agent-less deals, do you recommend spending the cash on an entertainment lawyer to read the boilerplate, or is it generally safe to…
Script Quack screenwriting consulting service
If you read this blog regularly you know that I’m in a weekly writers group. Some of the writers in the group have formed “Script Quack,” a screenwriting consulting service.…
A screenwriter who’s getting actors attached to his project
I got an email recently and thought other readers might find it useful. It’s another case where a writer is really working hard to get their script produced. We can…
Doing free re-writers for a producer
I got this question recently: “What are your feelings if a producer really loves your script but wants you to do re-writes and a treatment for them before they option…
National Student Film Association Announces Free Screenwriting Competition
I got an email from Franzi Florack at the National Student Film Association which is located in the UK and they are having a free contest for students in the…
Writing a screenplay based on a book, comic, video game, or toy
I got this question recently: “I read through your post regarding writings which include myths, legends, etc. which I understand that those are fine since characters/stories like those are not…
Submitting an idea for a television show
I got this question recently: “Apparently, submitting a plain idea without any scripts is sometimes valid for television programming. Tell me if I’m wrong about this. Now, I don’t want…
Do I have to give away my surprise ending in my query letter?
I got this question recently: “I love to have a twisted ending. I want the reader/audience to sit at the end of the movie/screenplay with mouth on the floor, and…
Reading between the lines when a production company offers to read a re-written version of a screenplay
I had a screenwriter asking about his follow up with a production company. His email went something like this (I’ve edited his text a bit for brevity): “I submitted a…
Writing a spec screenplay sequel
I got this question recently: “I have had an idea for a movie sequel for some time, and I know there is some trepidation in the business to write a…