HINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SPEC SCRIPT

You want to write for a living. You want to sell that screenplay. Here are some hints to help you further your goals:

 1. You must write "spec" screenplays. Lots of them. Your first one will be awful. Your second one may be fair. Your third one might be OK and your fourth one may be good. Personally I still don't think that four is enough, but I know you will want to sell your first one.

 2. You will need to know the difference between a spec script and a shooting script. You will be writing spec scripts if you are not being paid to write. That's the simple explanation, however there are lots of differences between the two. A spec is a sample of your writing as well as a script that you hope to sell. When you are paid and are writing on assignment it is also a sample of your work, but you will have other people who will give you input left and right.

3. When writing a spec script there are some very important keys that you must know. These things are not written in screenwriting books. They are the unwritten laws of the spec. First, you can't write lots of exposition. These are all of the descriptive passages wherein you tell the reader if it's raining, or what kind of dress a woman is wearing, or the architectural style of a building. It also covers whether the characters are standing or sitting, where they are looking, what hand movements they make or if they walk in or out of a door. Please stop putting all of this into your specs. It will drive an agent or producer crazy. They simply want to know if you can use a proper 3 act structure, have an interesting plot and most importantly if you can write interesting characters.

 4. Stop directing your actors in you specs. Don't tell me what they think, feel, where they look, how they look, what expressions are on their faces, if they walk across a room, if they smile or frown. All of these decisions will be made by the real directors and actors based on the script's dialogue and story information. If you are lucky enough and talented enough to sell your script, it will be rewritten so many times that most of these things will be moot.

 5. Don't crowd your script with too many characters. Ask yourself if introducing the parents or aunts and uncles of the main characters is truly important. If anyone doesn't move the story forward or help the star characters in some important fashion, then get rid of them.

 6. Your stars must be on every page. OK, maybe they are not in one or two scenes, but no more then that. Everyone needs to know that Studio movies cast big stars so that they will at least be assured of a big opening weekend at the box office. Every star wants to be in every scene.

 7. Stop writing flashbacks. Tell that information in dialogue if it is very important to the script. 8. Do not describe every punch in a fight scene.

 9. Do not tell the music playing in the background. Do not write your own lyrics and put it in the script.

10. Do have your star grow and learn something about themselves.


 Now, go back and edit those scripts then send them to me. See my web site at:
www.michelewallerstein110.vpweb.com

MOVIES EVERYWHERE AND NOTHING TO SEE

OK, here are some of the things I want to gripe about.  I can't find movies to go see.  I can't even find semi-old movies on my VCR to rent.  90% of the movies on HBO, SHOWTIME, CNMX, ENCORE, etc. are films I've already seen or won't even consider watching.  I'm a grown up and the major studios couldn't care less.  They just want those male teenagers.  It's called having an audience that goes back and sees the same movie over and over with other friends.  One of the things I'd like to know is where do those boys get all that money for movies, popcorn, candy and sodas.  Thank goodness there are still a few good little independent films. 

I hate all of these re-makes.  I don't care if they were great films or just action junk.  Why aren't the studios making more original films??  It is the death of the new idea and creativity.  Film is an art and we should never forget it.

If you want to be a successful screenwriter, you better learn how to write mindless action pieces.  I know I'm being a bit snarky but I miss going to a movie whenever I feel like it.  I have to wait a long time before a good picture arrives on the scene.  However, the truth is that right now if you are writing intimate relationship dramas or adult comedies, it ain't gonna sell.  They might be good sample scripts so keep writing them and get very good at it.

Another thing I hate is "ghostwriting".  I hate everything about it.  I've even seen some consultants who offer to ghostwrite.  I want to call the writing police and have them arrested.  Your sample specs are YOURS.  If anyone else writes it with you they must get credit on the title page, otherwise you are lying to the producer, agent and development person.   I once had a partner who represented a famous writer who received lots of TV assignments.  He would hire young writers, pay them a very small amount, read the drafts and put his own name on the project.  He made a huge amount of money and I was furious when I found out.  It was fraud.

In the wonderful movie, ROCKY, our hero talks with some kids on his block and warns them that "All you got is your rep". I agree with that statement.  I believe that your word is your bond, a deal is a deal, and you never lie.

Thanks for letting me get these things out of my system.  Take them to heart and become the smartest, best, most creative writing artist that you can be.



Come see my new web site:  www.michelewallerstein110.vpweb.com

CONTACT and CLASS INFORMATION

Hi Everyone:

Just a note to let you know that I have a new web site.  This site will give you all the information on my background and my credentials, along with my screenplay and novel services.
My rates are listed along with my phone and email address.

The site also has a link to my new on-line course titled "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD".  This course is designed to teach you how to get your material read by the right people as well as what you will need to do after it has been reviewed.  It explains the agent/client relationship so you will know what to expect from an agent and exactly what you
will need to be responsible for in that relationship.  There is also much, much more insider knowledge you must have to succeed in your writing career.  If you have any questions about the course, please email me at:  writerconsultant67@gmail.com

Since the course is on-demand it will be available to you at any time you desire.  I am currently offering a large discount, but that may end at the end of February.  Sign up now!

Check my web site at:   michelewallerstein110.vpweb.com

SUCCESS IN 2015

HAPPY HOLIDAYS MY DEAR FRIENDS!!  Let's make this new year a great one.  Let's make it a year of fulfilling your dreams and aspirations.

You are capable of doing this by redoubling your efforts.  The old saying of putting your nose to the grindstone is the only true way to make your desires come true.  Sounds pretty grueling, but it's true.
You will need to spend more time at your computers writing those scripts.  You'll need to read more, see more movies (old and new), buy books, watch videos and listen to podcasts on writing skills, take more writing classes online and in person.

Try to write 3 new screenplays in 2015.  I know you have jobs, spouses, families and other responsibilities, but you can find the time to hone your craft.

If you have a true calling as a writer, make this year the one where you make it all happen for yourself.

If you write small, intimate stories, you will also need to research small, low budget independent filmmakers.  If you write big youth movies, great thrillers with strong male leads, teen comedies or huge budget sci-fi, then you must spend more time researching the Hollywood Studio world.

I am now teaching an on-line class titled "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD", via ESE Filmworks.  We have recently decided to offer this as an on-demand course because we know how busy you are and that money can be tight at different times of your life.  I've also decided to make the homework sections of the course as a choice for you. 

This course will be taught in conjunction with my book; "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide To Your Writing Career".  If you are serious about selling your films, you will sign up for the course as soon as possible.  You need the knowledge to move forward.  There's no point to writing and putting those scripts in a drawer.  You must learn how to get them ready and get them to the right people.  You must learn how to find the proper management team and how to work with them.  Do you know what's expected from you as the client or an agent or manager or attorney?? Do you know how to make all of those pitch fests and weekend seminars work for you?

Lots and lots of questions like these will be answered.  I will mentor you through the 6 week course on a personal basis.  Don't let a lack of knowledge hold you back.  Learn how the system works and make it work for you.

This course is available to you over the internet so that you can take it from anywhere in the world.
Let me help you travel the complex world of making movies.

Go to: http://www.esefilmworkshopsonline.com for more information and to sign up for our class.
You might want to email me if you have any questions at:  writerconsultant67@gmail.com, I'd love to hear from you.  

Have a wonderful time over the Holidays and let's get started early to get your life on your chosen path.

HELPING WRITERS

The first line in my book, MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career, is; "I love writers."  After all my years as an agent and now after quite a few years as a writer's consultant, I can still say the same thing.  Writer's have always been close to my heart.  I enjoy their creativity and I understand their pain.  I have had and still do have a blessed life because I am working so closely with these creative and imaginative people.

As an agent I loved building a big career for a new writer.  I loved making their deals and helping them choose which of their ideas they should write next.  It was a team effort and always exciting.  Being a creative consultant gives me the same thrill.  I love reading those screenplays or novels.  I love being able to see what will help make those projects better and better.  It's so fulfilling to read the next drafts and watch the talent grow and mature.

Writing a marketable project when one is all alone is pretty much impossible.  Writers need the eyes of a professional to point out the flaws as well as the good pieces.  I never try to rewrite a writer.  I only show the way to making a script better.

Have you followed the 3 Act Structure?  Do your main characters have zip?  Are you overwriting the descriptive passages?  Does your plot work?  Is your story compelling? 


Let me know if I can help you!  It's what I want to do!

MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD

If you've written a couple of great screenplays and are not sure what to do next or if you are wondering how to get and keep an agent you should sign up for my new on-line course via the world famous Writers Store at:  http://www.writersstore.com/moving-your-writing-career-forward/.

You will learn an in-depth, insiders knowledge of how to keep a great agent/client relationship and much, much more!  Sign up asap.  The course will be extremely helpful to you.

Hope to have you with us.

MICHELE WALLERSTEIN THE WRITER'S CONSULTANT & THE AUTHOR OF "MIND YOUR BUSINESS": HOW AGENTS THINK

MICHELE WALLERSTEIN THE WRITER'S CONSULTANT & THE AUTHOR OF "MIND YOUR BUSINESS": HOW AGENTS THINK: After wracking my brain for weeks I believe I've come up with sharing some vital information with all of you writers.  Do you want to kn...