David Howland's Lounge Discussions

Thanks John, I do write copy too, it's one of the services I provide if anyone is looking for copy usually for promotional documents for their film etc. Are there any other sites or networking spaces you'd suggest visiting with regard to copy writing work/interest? Thanks.

I think the best thing to do is find someone currently working in the business as a reader or development exec, since they are front line (the same people who will be reading your screenplay when you submit it to a production company). You're probably going to get coverage instead of more detailed notes, but you will get the blunt info on what works and doesn't work. One of the problems with lots of folks offering notes for $ is that they are outside the business and may steer you in the wrong direction. Screenwriting is a strange type of writing because it's not so much about how it works on the page as how it will work on the screen. Anyone can offer notes or coverage for $, so make sure they know what they are talking about. You can get notes that get you all kinds of hugs in your writing group... but don't get your screenplay any closer to the screen. PS: I second Screenplay Mechanic (I don't know him personally, but from online... and he works in the business).

For what it's worth, I totally agree with William Martell. *But for Tony's desire to apply to MFA program, I think a reader with academic admissions experience could be the best bet. To William's point, if you're a newbie looking for a Screenwriting Instructor, or if you're 100% indie/DIY, then I don't necessarily think you need to work with someone active in the market. Working pros might not be well-suited to teach, and the best teachers might not be working pros. That said, to go along with the academic pursuit of screenwriting, you should round out your education by learning from a working pro, whose current marketplace knowledge will supplement the study of screenwriting. One could say the working pro will add "strategy," "practice," and "in the real world know-how..." to your study. To get relevant notes, you will benefit from the perspective of someone "inside" the business, as William states. I've discussed this before in another thread -- I also think it's very helpful to work with people who have seen a movie through from page to screen, as this is what's required to really understand what winds up on the cutting room floor, how to get into and out of scenes, how to meet genre expectations, etc. The first movie I worked on was compromised by a potential WGA Strike, and it started shooting before the script was ready. We had to do reshoots, and believe me, that was a learning experience.

@Regina: Most humanities teachers work as adjuncts for a considerable length of time before they're promoted to tenure track jobs, if they're lucky. Talking to recent graduates is a good call. @Chas: Screenplay Mechanic sounds like a safe bet. His rates are dirt cheap. @Danny: Thank you for the correction. My bad. If I'm paying, it's for notes. @William: That's a good point, but I'm gearing my sample toward academia, not the market, at the moment. @Regina: Smart thinking. Working with a consultant who has successfully worked in all avenues of screenwriting--creating specs, re-writing for studios, punching up dialogue, writing on assignment and revising their own script for production--would be ideal.

@Tony, I'm using your example to raise my hand and say that I wouldn't be the right pick for you, not that anyone said I would be!! Tony is looking for a screenwriter/consultant - ideally with experience in MFA admissions. (I'm a producer/former studio exec/consultant, not a writer myself.) Just using this thread to make the point of finding the right match for the individual. Tony, if recent grads can't offer referrals, check with TAs, adjuncts, summer school instructors, or in the case of UCLA, Extension instructors, etc. I really think that an "insider" at your top choice MFA program will have a piece of great info that none of us have!!

@Regina: I got that. Good ideas. I meant in general, for non-MFA applicants, a screenwriter with more widespread experience would be useful.

Hello David.