SPEAKING, TEACHING AND CONSULTING

www.novelconsultant.comThis past Saturday I was delighted to be the guest speaker for the Alameda Writers Group in Glendale.  What a nice, warm and enthusiastic crowd.  There were somewhere between 70 and 80 people who write everything from poetry to novels to screenplays.  They were very responsive to what I had to say and I loved them for it.  Getting up in front of large groups and telling them about the business you adore is one of my favorite things.  They always love the stories of my experiences as an agent.

After the seminar I sold and signed books.  This is also heartwarming because folks come up to say nice things and are happy to get a signed book.  "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career" has opened so many doors for me.  I get to hear the responses from the readers and the book keeps selling and selling all over the world.  Isn't that an amazing thing?

Well.....I'm happy to announce that I've finished writing up the Syllabus and all 6 Lectures for my online class titled "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD".  I'll be doing the course for ESE Film Workshops in October.  There are so many people that learn the craft of writing and then don't know what to do to get into Hollywood or the Independent markets.  I tell how to do that in my course.

Yes, I'm still  a creative consultant for screenplays and novels.  This is a real calling for me.  It's great to see writers improve their work and move forward while working with me.  Check out my web site for all the info at:  www.novelconsultant.com

Keep writing.

BIG NEWS: WRITING CLASS

Hello:  Sorry I haven't written for awhile.  Been busy with the Script Magazine column that I do each month.  It's a great experience and I love doing it.  All those years that I spent as a literary agent are so helpful when sharing information about the business of film writing.  So far the responses have been great.  I actually wish even more people would write in with questions and/or comments.  I like to know what people are thinking and what else they need to know about. 

Also........Big News:  Recently started to work with old friends and business acquaintances, Rona Edwards and Monika Skrebelis, who own ESE Filmworks and ESE Film Workshops.  I am writing a 6 lecture online class for them on "Moving Your Writing Career Forward".  Talk about sharing information!  Lots of goodies in my lectures. So many new writers complete a couple of screenplays through hard work and diligence, but they don't know what to do next.  I tell them what they need to do and how they need to do it.  Please let me know if you want more information.
The class will air in September or October of this year.

Lastly, I had a wonderful experience teaching an all day class for the UCLA Writers Extension Program.  Whew! 8 hours of teaching is a long day and a bit arduous, but the class was so enthusiastic that I loved it.

Take a look at my Script Magazine articles at:  www.scriptmag.com

IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT

In Los Angeles when you ask people how they are, inevitably they say: "Fine".  If you ask about their kids they tell you that they are:  "Great".  When you ask how their business is doing, they tell you: It's going great".  "There's no question about it", you tell yourself, "I'm the biggest loser in town.  My knees hurt when I play basketball or go to the gym.  My kid is getting a "D" in math and my business is in the toilet".  In Hollywood there is a tremendous amount of lying, the most prevalent is how wonderful you are. 

Let's not forget that everyone is human.  We all get bellyaches and headaches, our kids screw up, our spouses get boring and our screenplays and novels just seem to lie there.  I get 4 different types of headaches and have suffered bouts of depression all of my life.  I had a rough childhood and I don't produce enough serotonin.  Those things amount to depression.  Thank goodness someone invented Prozac.  None of the myriad of doctors that I've seen can tell me why I get some of my headaches.  They are profoundly painful and the pain medications don't always work.  It's a nightmare.

With all of that said, I managed to have a 25 year career as a Literary Agent.  I booked millions of dollars worth of television and motion pictures.  After finally giving that up, I became a consultant, began giving seminars, wrote a book and had it published and married a wonderful guy.

The reason I am sharing all of this with you is that I managed to overcome some serious odds to become successful, fulfilled and proud of my accomplishments.  You can do it too.  Writing and becoming a professional writer  are two very difficult things. 

Learn to forgive yourself your setbacks.  All the cliches are true:  "Get back on the horse". "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead".  "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again". 

It ain't easy, but the rewards are great. 

I've just come through about three months of extreme headaches.  I saw my doctor and have been rewarded with a new prescription and two shots in my head to prevent further headaches.  This should last for awhile.  Now I am back to work.  Pressing on and moving forward.  I love being a script and novel consultant.  I love all of my work and best of all I love my clients. 

Once more into the breach, dear friends.

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Please note that I will be teaching a one-day course at UCLA extension on February 23, 2013 titled:
"THE BUSINESS OF YOUR WRITING CAREER".  Please take a peak at the class information via:
www.uclaextenstion.edu.  It's going to be chock full of insider info on getting in and staying in the world of film as well as how to write the important knockout half-page treatment.  Join me....it will be lots of fun.  I love telling stories of my years as a literary agent. http:/wwwuclaextension.edu

Also, take a look at my new monthly column for SCRIPT MAGAZINE at:  www.scriptmag.com.
This month's column is titled:  "STUDIOS vs. INDEPENDENTS". http:/scriptmag.com

Don't forget that my book:  "MIND YOUR BUSINESS:  A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career" is now available on Kindle as well as paperback at:  http:/www.Amazon.com.



Have a great, prosperous and positive NEW YEAR!!!

QUESTIONS FOR NEW SCREENWRITERWS

Imagine seeing your films up there on the big screen.  Imagine buying a beautiful home in Santa Monica or Brentwood.  Imagine dating starlets or handsome actors, having dinner and drinks with producers, studio executives, agents and managers.  All of the intelligent and creative people that will become part of your exciting life are really terrific.  How wonderful it could be for you!  That's the good news.

However............:

If you are writing your first or second or even your third screenplay, I want you to stop right now.
Before you go any further, you need to ask yourself some serious questions and if you can't come up with the right answers you might just as well go back to watching TV or playing golf, or trying to get a real job or education.

Here's what you need to find out about yourself and your motivations and dreams:

1.  Why are you writing a script?  If the answer is not that you have a burning desire to be a great writer and you absolutely have a calling to write for the screen, then give it up now.

2.  Do you understand the sacrifices you will have to make to become a success?  You will probably lose friends who will find you boring, too much of a dreamer and/or never available.  This may also include the end of your current love affair.  Your family with think you are nuts too.  You will be spending your money on film festivals, writing classes, a better computer, Final Draft programs, a better copier, reams and reams of paper, writing consultants, contests, travel and hotel bills for events and more writing classes.  There goes the new clothes, the movies, the fun stuff you used to do.  If you have a job, all of the rest of your time must go to writing and learning the craft of writing.  If you don't have a job, you will be broke.

3.  Are you willing to accept a great deal of emotional battering?  Your family will love your scripts but professionals will hate them.  Writing consultants will find a millions things wrong with your script, story mavens will not even tell you they are turning you down.  You will simply never hear from them while you are sitting by the phone waiting for them to call.  People will tell you that you have a great project then you won't be able to reach them again......ever.  You will finally realize that your first and second scripts are horrible which will embarrass you and leave you bereft for some time.

4.  Are you young enough and determined enough to spend years as a failure without ever knowing whether you will eventually be a success?  This is a tough one.

5.  Are you willing to live with the fact that there are a million reasons for people to turn down you material and very few reasons to say "Yes"?



These are only a handful of serious questions about your future.  Please believe me when I tell you that they are all true.  You will not find any way around them.  Even if you have relatives in the business that won't mean you will be a success.  Getting in the door is not staying in the door.

If you've quit reading this because it depresses you.......you had better get a grip.  The film business is not for sissy's.   Of course if you do make it, the rewards are fantastic. 



Read "MIND YOUR BUSINESS:  A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide To Your Writing Career" to find out  what you really need to know about having a writing career. (www.Amazon.com, the Writers Store, local book stores or email me for a signed copy at:  novelconsult@yahoo.com

I WORRY ABOUT WRITERS

I worry about you.  That's right, I worry about writers all the time.  Throughout my years as an agent, personal manager and writer's consultant I've seen so many smart and capable writers defeat themselves.  You keep shooting yourself in the foot so that you can not make it in your chosen field.  Why in the world do you do that?  Do you know that you're doing it?  These questions plague me.

Look......we all know that being and becoming a professional writer is hard.  There are two opposing facets to the process.  Both of these arenas are difficult.  There's the creative process AND the business process.  Most people are good at one, but not the other.  Here's a clue:  You can learn!  There are plenty of places to get the information you need.  You're a grown-up, so do your homework and make it happen for yourself.  As my grandfather used to say; "Nothing is impossible".

How many times have you ignored the following advice?

1.  Write many scripts before trying to get an agent.
2.  If you want to sell screenplays to major studios, move to Hollywood.
3.  Join a writer's group.
4.  Make sure your projects are written without grammatical and syntax errors.
5.  Use a professional consultant.
6.  Get a consultation NOT coverage. (Learn the difference)
7.  Read, read, read.
8.  See old and new movies.
9.  Read a few of the most popular books on screenwriting.
10. Learn how to network and socialize in your field.
11. Play nice with others.
12. Use the buddy system.
13. Be polite and thank people for helping or advising you.

Now, is that so hard? 

12 ITEMS THAT WILL YOU GET IN THE GAME

          You’ve taken the classes and seminars on writing.  You’ve tried comedy, action and one sci-fi thriller.  You probably think they are better than they are. But, none of them are as great as you thought they would be.  You went to a couple of pitch fests, maybe you even managed to talk a production company exec into reading one of your projects.  This is usually followed by a huge silence.  Well, let’s see, the next move was to send query letters to agents.  Again, you are greeted by the huge silence.  It’s very hard to understand what has happened.  You tell yourself and all of your friends and family that you’ve done everything right.  What’s wrong with Hollywood?  Those people are terrible.  They don’t know a good thing when they see it.  Why are you being ignored? 

          The answers to these and other questions you may have are not very complicated.  Without realizing it you have made a lot of big mistakes. Most new writers manage to glean a bit of good advice from teachers and lecturers and some of the screenwriting books they have read.  Unfortunately, the information is too broad based and non-specific.  It’s also possible that, like most people you only hear what you want to hear. 

          The following are hard and fast rules that you need to know and to follow in order to have a successful career in mainstream television and films:

1.     Your writing samples are crucial.  If you want a career you must have a minimum of three (3) great samples, IN THE SAME GENRE. 

2.    Never write sequels to your own scripts or of any previously produced films.

3.    Never write outside the box.  Keep your sample in the mainstream.  Stay within the tried and true three (3) act structure.  Do not try to reinvent the wheel.

4.    If you choose a bona fide Script Consultant, listen to their advice and follow it.  Do not simply change consultants if you don’t hear what you want to hear.  They are paid to find the problems in your projects.  Follow their advice.

5.    Live in the greater Los Angeles area.  You can certainly wait until you have the requisite amount of great samples, but after that you must move to L.A.  No one wants to represent or buy a script from a good writer who lives out of town.  This is absolute.

6.    If you are lucky enough to get someone to read your material, you must follow-up with them.  Wait a couple of weeks, and then send an email to ask if they’ve had a chance to look at your script.  Make friends with the assistants to get information and help.

7.    Never be cloying, argumentative, verbally abusive, angry or petulant.

8.    Connect with other writers through seminars, WGA programs and writer’s groups.   Keep in touch with them, meet for coffee share information.

9.    Understand that anytime you go to a seminar you should consider the speaker to be a new contact.  Follow up with a quick thank you note right after the lecture.  Tell them a little about yourself and your project.  Ask if they will read it.  Keep in touch with them occasionally.

10.Never pitch a project that isn’t ready to be read by a professional.

11.If you are lucky enough to get someone to agree to look at one of your projects, you must have it in their hands within two (2) days.

12.Above all, hang in there and don’t quit.  Tenacity in Hollywood is extremely well rewarded both creatively and financially.

Michele Wallerstein is a Script Consultant, a former agent and the author of “MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent’s Guide To Your Writing Career”.  www.novelconsultant.com

For a consultation call me at:  818 501 2826