CONSULTING SERVICES

This April, I joined forces with the amazing circle of writer/consultants at thescriptdepartment.com!  My in-depth consultation is now available exclusively through their site.  Below is a thorough description of the in-depth consultation, also called the 20/20 Consultation.  Please feel free to email me directly with any questions you may have, but to book this service, please go to the boutique section of thescriptdepartment.com.  Thank you!  Sheila 

I design my consultations based on years of experience in the development, pre-production and production process.  In this process, first the writer receives written notes.  Then comes the meeting, either in person or on the phone.  These meetings, often lengthy and intense, follow the same basic structure.  Over the years, I have been in meetings with Jonathan Demme, Adrian Lyne, Tom Hanks, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Gabler (President, Fox 2000), Lynda Obst, and many others.  Meetings start with conceptual notes, then delve into page by page discussions and often line by line negotiations.

My consultation follows this model, but it is really your meeting.  After you receive and absorb my written notes, we schedule a phone conference where we try to crystallize your vision.  Our meeting is interactive and collaborative, and while it is sometimes challenging, it is also exciting.  We are able to speak deeply and in great detail about your work.  The conference becomes a forum to create new ideas, solve problems, and get frank answers.

As for the notes you receive, I read every script, carefully, twice. I make notes on the page and I also create conceptual notes.  I differentiate between first and second reading notes so you can see my initial reaction—the one you would get from a studio or production reader—along with ideas I have as I better understand the story.  The notes range anywhere from five to seven pages and are quite in depth.

The price for the consultation is $595.  This includes two thorough readings of your script, page notes, and a phone conference of up to two hours. We’ll address the script conceptually, then go scene by scene if necessary, or even page by page.  You are able to ask whatever questions you like.  In the process, we will discuss structure, character, dialogue, mechanical elements, marketability, pacing, continuity, and everything else.

If you have further questions, please feel free to email me and I will get back to you promptly.   

Also, if your script is over 125 pages, please discuss with me ahead of time.