BUSINESS OF SCREENWRITING: Making Hollywood Need You - Script Magazine
See my regular blog at: www.wwwconsulting.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
REACHING YOUR GOALS
Here's a question for you......What are your career goals insofar as your writing is concerned???
Sounds innocuous enough, but that question holds your entire future. I have found that most people live their lives in a rather willy-nilly manner. They believe in fate or that their futures are not in their own hands. As far as I'm concerned, that's a lot of crap. My dear friends you must become the masters of your own fates. You can't just sit back and complain that life is hard. It's damn hard for everyone. Everyone has an awful family or didn't get a great education, or didn't come from a family with big money. Too bad. Nothing was ever handed to me either. I've worked my ass off for everything I've accomplished and every penny I've earned. Even when I divorced my second husband, (the lawyer with money), I walked away with the clothes on my back. No I didn't take any alimony, I moved out and left him in our home. It was all very simple for me. I wanted out!
With all that said, you now know that I'm a self-made gal. I didn't get to go to college. After high school, my mother was very ill and my father had left when I was 8 years old. My mom passed away when I was nineteen. There was no one to turn to for help. I pulled myself up, dried my eyes and found the only job that I was able to get. I was a messenger in a large company. That could have been the end of my story. But, I have always been a daydreamer. I used to play "office" when I was a little girl. I loved movies with Joan Crawford being a tough business woman. That was the image that stayed in my head.
My only hobby was reading. It was also the only escape I had for a very difficult life. Little did I know that between Joan Crawford and my self education I was moving toward a life that I didn't even know existed. When I needed a job, a friend referred me to a secretarial job at a theatrical agency. I jumped at the chance to learn about the entertainment business.
As you know, I became a literary agent and loved my career for 25 years. After all those years I decided to work as a script and novel consultant. So I did just that. My day dreams became my reality. I worked hard and I worked long hours. Every minute was thrilling. I became a very well respected and successful woman.
Basically, that's my story. It should also be yours. Figure out what you want more than anything else then work your butt off to get there. No excuses. If you have to take night classes on online courses on writing, so be it. If you have to move to Los Angeles, pack your bags and do it. If you have to write 5 comedy scripts to find out you are better at action/adventure, that's fine. Just set your goal and move forward like a shark in the water. Don't let people or setbacks stop you. Stay the course.
You've only got one life. Live it well.
Michele
Note: My online course: "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD" is now being offered via the Screenwriters University. The first session begins on May 26th. Sign up at: www.screenwritersuniversity.com
Sounds innocuous enough, but that question holds your entire future. I have found that most people live their lives in a rather willy-nilly manner. They believe in fate or that their futures are not in their own hands. As far as I'm concerned, that's a lot of crap. My dear friends you must become the masters of your own fates. You can't just sit back and complain that life is hard. It's damn hard for everyone. Everyone has an awful family or didn't get a great education, or didn't come from a family with big money. Too bad. Nothing was ever handed to me either. I've worked my ass off for everything I've accomplished and every penny I've earned. Even when I divorced my second husband, (the lawyer with money), I walked away with the clothes on my back. No I didn't take any alimony, I moved out and left him in our home. It was all very simple for me. I wanted out!
With all that said, you now know that I'm a self-made gal. I didn't get to go to college. After high school, my mother was very ill and my father had left when I was 8 years old. My mom passed away when I was nineteen. There was no one to turn to for help. I pulled myself up, dried my eyes and found the only job that I was able to get. I was a messenger in a large company. That could have been the end of my story. But, I have always been a daydreamer. I used to play "office" when I was a little girl. I loved movies with Joan Crawford being a tough business woman. That was the image that stayed in my head.
My only hobby was reading. It was also the only escape I had for a very difficult life. Little did I know that between Joan Crawford and my self education I was moving toward a life that I didn't even know existed. When I needed a job, a friend referred me to a secretarial job at a theatrical agency. I jumped at the chance to learn about the entertainment business.
As you know, I became a literary agent and loved my career for 25 years. After all those years I decided to work as a script and novel consultant. So I did just that. My day dreams became my reality. I worked hard and I worked long hours. Every minute was thrilling. I became a very well respected and successful woman.
Basically, that's my story. It should also be yours. Figure out what you want more than anything else then work your butt off to get there. No excuses. If you have to take night classes on online courses on writing, so be it. If you have to move to Los Angeles, pack your bags and do it. If you have to write 5 comedy scripts to find out you are better at action/adventure, that's fine. Just set your goal and move forward like a shark in the water. Don't let people or setbacks stop you. Stay the course.
You've only got one life. Live it well.
Michele
Note: My online course: "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD" is now being offered via the Screenwriters University. The first session begins on May 26th. Sign up at: www.screenwritersuniversity.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Need Help???
Good Afternoon:
Are you wondering anything about your writing? Here's some help for you.
If you want to sell your screenplay or be a professional writer of any ilk, you absolutely must take advantage of the myriad of opportunities that are offered to you. Most of them are easy and some of them are even free.
Go to any book store and you should find plenty of excellent books for writers, including mine titled:
"MIND YOU BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career". Remember that for 20+ years I was a writer's agent in Beverly Hills, before becoming a writer's consultant (also known as a script doctor). In the off chance that your local book store or library doesn't carry a good supply of these books, simply ask professional consultants for their advice on what to buy on Amazon. You can find loads of consultants through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Script Magazine, etc. Many of us will be happy to give you advice, answer questions, and refer you to the "right" books to read.
I never understand why people don't reach out more than they do. I'm surprised that I don't receive more questions on my various sites (including this one). I'm on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Stage 32, and I've written about 18 articles you will find on Script Magazine. Don't forget to check my web site at: www.michelewallerstein110@vpweb.com. Lots of info there and ways to reach me. Why aren't you communicating with me......don't you have any questions??? I'm right here and happy to help. I've always loved my work with writers.
If you've completed a script or two you must use the services of a professional consultant. After 20+ years as a literary agent in Beverly Hills and 10 years as a consultant, I can improve your work and improve your chances of success. You can't do it alone.
Michele
Are you wondering anything about your writing? Here's some help for you.
If you want to sell your screenplay or be a professional writer of any ilk, you absolutely must take advantage of the myriad of opportunities that are offered to you. Most of them are easy and some of them are even free.
Go to any book store and you should find plenty of excellent books for writers, including mine titled:
"MIND YOU BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career". Remember that for 20+ years I was a writer's agent in Beverly Hills, before becoming a writer's consultant (also known as a script doctor). In the off chance that your local book store or library doesn't carry a good supply of these books, simply ask professional consultants for their advice on what to buy on Amazon. You can find loads of consultants through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Script Magazine, etc. Many of us will be happy to give you advice, answer questions, and refer you to the "right" books to read.
I never understand why people don't reach out more than they do. I'm surprised that I don't receive more questions on my various sites (including this one). I'm on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Stage 32, and I've written about 18 articles you will find on Script Magazine. Don't forget to check my web site at: www.michelewallerstein110@vpweb.com. Lots of info there and ways to reach me. Why aren't you communicating with me......don't you have any questions??? I'm right here and happy to help. I've always loved my work with writers.
If you've completed a script or two you must use the services of a professional consultant. After 20+ years as a literary agent in Beverly Hills and 10 years as a consultant, I can improve your work and improve your chances of success. You can't do it alone.
Michele
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Oh my goodness, another holiday season and another year is looming ahead. Naturally we must take a good look back on 2015 and an even better look forward to 2016.
What did you accomplish in your writing life? Have you completed any of those scripts that you started? Did you take that writing class? Did you attend any film festivals, writing pitch fests, special speakers programs? If you are interested in a writing career these things are crucial to success. If not now, when?
Time is passing so quickly for all of us. You have a dream and you want to follow it. Then find the way. Above all, you must keep writing. If you live outside of Los Angeles it is very important to find a good, bona fide writing consultant to review and advise you on your screenwriting.
I hope you will renew your decision to move forward and redouble your efforts. Get up earlier in the morning to give yourself more time to write. Hire a baby sitter and go to a library or a park to write. The point is to find a way to accomplish your goals.
I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a happy and healthy and productive New Year!!
Let me know how you are doing and send me any questions you may have.
Best,
Michele
What did you accomplish in your writing life? Have you completed any of those scripts that you started? Did you take that writing class? Did you attend any film festivals, writing pitch fests, special speakers programs? If you are interested in a writing career these things are crucial to success. If not now, when?
Time is passing so quickly for all of us. You have a dream and you want to follow it. Then find the way. Above all, you must keep writing. If you live outside of Los Angeles it is very important to find a good, bona fide writing consultant to review and advise you on your screenwriting.
I hope you will renew your decision to move forward and redouble your efforts. Get up earlier in the morning to give yourself more time to write. Hire a baby sitter and go to a library or a park to write. The point is to find a way to accomplish your goals.
I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a happy and healthy and productive New Year!!
Let me know how you are doing and send me any questions you may have.
Best,
Michele
Thursday, October 1, 2015
My Best Advice
You're thinking seriously about trying for a screenwriting career. Good or bad idea? How do you get started? Have you already missed that bus? From someone who has spent about a million years in the screenwriting business I have lots of answers for you. I do these little "advice" articles occasionally because I know that there are new readers out there also sometimes people forget or discount some of the advice they've heard in the past.
There are two roads to being a screenwriter for motion pictures. You can simply try to write a script that someone will buy or you can go for the long haul and try for a real writing career. If you are over the age of 40 it will be best to try to sell a script or two. If you are younger you have a better chance of having a writing career.
To sell a script you can live anywhere. For a real career, you must live in the greater Los Angeles area. That means you can drive to Beverly Hills, the Valley or Hollywood within one hour.
Don't kid yourself......this is a real rule. No good agent will sign a new writer who lives outside the area. You can't maintain close relationships, get to sudden meetings in time, meet other pros and turn your whole social life into the world of movies, if you don't live here.
Both types of careers require the same amount of work prior to getting any kind of a deal. The requirements are:
1. Take a couple of screenwriting classes.
2. Buy and read as many screenwriting books as possible. Go to the web and find fabulous books written by bona fide show biz people.
3. Learn how to write outlines, treatments and complete screenplays.
4. Write at least four full length scripts. Throw the first one in the trash.
5. Hire a script consultant for your third script.
6. Listen to the consultant, rewrite your script using their notes, send the rewrite back to them and then listen to their notes and do it all again.
7. Be prepared to work your ass off. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
8. Go to panel discussions and speaker's events for writers. Make friends there and follow up with them.
9. Send "Thank You" notes to all the speakers.
10.Read my book: "Mind Your Business" for all the next steps.
11. Never be late, always have new story ideas, follow-up with everyone, call people you don't know.
12.Some of your scripts won't work. Just move on to the next one.
13.Learn to write fast. You can lose a good career by being too slow.
14.Never misspell anything.
15. Learn to write interesting and memorable characters.
16. Call on me when you need a good consultant who knows what she's doing.
Now......go do it!! Have some fun along the way. It's a great and fulfilling business.
There are two roads to being a screenwriter for motion pictures. You can simply try to write a script that someone will buy or you can go for the long haul and try for a real writing career. If you are over the age of 40 it will be best to try to sell a script or two. If you are younger you have a better chance of having a writing career.
To sell a script you can live anywhere. For a real career, you must live in the greater Los Angeles area. That means you can drive to Beverly Hills, the Valley or Hollywood within one hour.
Don't kid yourself......this is a real rule. No good agent will sign a new writer who lives outside the area. You can't maintain close relationships, get to sudden meetings in time, meet other pros and turn your whole social life into the world of movies, if you don't live here.
Both types of careers require the same amount of work prior to getting any kind of a deal. The requirements are:
1. Take a couple of screenwriting classes.
2. Buy and read as many screenwriting books as possible. Go to the web and find fabulous books written by bona fide show biz people.
3. Learn how to write outlines, treatments and complete screenplays.
4. Write at least four full length scripts. Throw the first one in the trash.
5. Hire a script consultant for your third script.
6. Listen to the consultant, rewrite your script using their notes, send the rewrite back to them and then listen to their notes and do it all again.
7. Be prepared to work your ass off. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
8. Go to panel discussions and speaker's events for writers. Make friends there and follow up with them.
9. Send "Thank You" notes to all the speakers.
10.Read my book: "Mind Your Business" for all the next steps.
11. Never be late, always have new story ideas, follow-up with everyone, call people you don't know.
12.Some of your scripts won't work. Just move on to the next one.
13.Learn to write fast. You can lose a good career by being too slow.
14.Never misspell anything.
15. Learn to write interesting and memorable characters.
16. Call on me when you need a good consultant who knows what she's doing.
Now......go do it!! Have some fun along the way. It's a great and fulfilling business.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
YOUR WRITING CAREER PROGRESS
For this month's Blog I'd like to ask YOU some questions and I hope many of you will reply.
These questions will help you move forward in your career. They will give you something positive to think about, mull over, and perhaps discuss with people who can help you.
I want to know what you are doing for yourself. So here goes:
1. How many completed scripts have you written?
2. Exactly what books have you read on writing?
3. Have you gone to any professional seminars on writing? If so, what were they?
4. Have you begun to search for an agent or manager? If so, how have you proceeded?
5. Have you attended any pitch fests? If so, how did you follow up with the people you met?
6. What are you doing to improve your writing skills?
7. Have you used writing consultants? If so, did this help your writing?
8. How are you reaching out to the Hollywood community?
9. Are all of your scripts in the same genre? If not, what genres are you writing?
10. Have you followed up with any people in Hollywood with "Thank you" notes?
I would be thrilled if you would answer any or all of the above. I am also here to answer any questions you may have and I would be happy to consult on your projects.
Please respond to either the comments section below, or to my personal email at:
writerconsultant67@gmail.com.
Don't forget to read my book: "Mind Your Business: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Advice On Your Writing Career".
These questions will help you move forward in your career. They will give you something positive to think about, mull over, and perhaps discuss with people who can help you.
I want to know what you are doing for yourself. So here goes:
1. How many completed scripts have you written?
2. Exactly what books have you read on writing?
3. Have you gone to any professional seminars on writing? If so, what were they?
4. Have you begun to search for an agent or manager? If so, how have you proceeded?
5. Have you attended any pitch fests? If so, how did you follow up with the people you met?
6. What are you doing to improve your writing skills?
7. Have you used writing consultants? If so, did this help your writing?
8. How are you reaching out to the Hollywood community?
9. Are all of your scripts in the same genre? If not, what genres are you writing?
10. Have you followed up with any people in Hollywood with "Thank you" notes?
I would be thrilled if you would answer any or all of the above. I am also here to answer any questions you may have and I would be happy to consult on your projects.
Please respond to either the comments section below, or to my personal email at:
writerconsultant67@gmail.com.
Don't forget to read my book: "Mind Your Business: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Advice On Your Writing Career".
Sunday, June 28, 2015
ASKING THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Who are you asking for advice and information about your writing and your writing career?
Sounds like an innocent question, but it is of quintessential importance. I'm a member of Facebook, Linked In (various writers groups therein), Stage 32 and Twitter. I read all sorts of questions from writers who will be receiving answers from people who have no idea what they are talking about!
It galls me the completely wrong info that you are getting. Someone who is in a writing group can't tell you what agents really like or what they do or why they do things. They only surmise and/or have heard gossip from others who have no real knowledge.
There are many professionals who have great backgrounds in filmaking and the Hollywood system. The people most available are script consultants and we are the most willing to help you. You must vet anyone you go to. Make sure they were really pros in the business before you go to them.
If it's a short question or two, they will probably answer via email. If you need a bit of time to discuss your way forward in your career choices you may have to pay a bit. It is well worth it to get the right advice and not waste years listening to bad advice.
We consultants are all over the Internet and you can Google us for any information you may need.
Wishing you all well.
Read: "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career".
Sounds like an innocent question, but it is of quintessential importance. I'm a member of Facebook, Linked In (various writers groups therein), Stage 32 and Twitter. I read all sorts of questions from writers who will be receiving answers from people who have no idea what they are talking about!
It galls me the completely wrong info that you are getting. Someone who is in a writing group can't tell you what agents really like or what they do or why they do things. They only surmise and/or have heard gossip from others who have no real knowledge.
There are many professionals who have great backgrounds in filmaking and the Hollywood system. The people most available are script consultants and we are the most willing to help you. You must vet anyone you go to. Make sure they were really pros in the business before you go to them.
If it's a short question or two, they will probably answer via email. If you need a bit of time to discuss your way forward in your career choices you may have to pay a bit. It is well worth it to get the right advice and not waste years listening to bad advice.
We consultants are all over the Internet and you can Google us for any information you may need.
Wishing you all well.
Read: "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career".
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