Script Consultant Extraordinaire
An endorsement from a client
It's was several years ago that I started working on my first screenplay/script. I had already accumulated all the equipment to make my first film but I still didn't have a script I liked, so I decided to write my own. A script consultant was something that I knew I would have to find as soon as I started writing. With a background in the music industry, I knew how important that a consultant could be and the pain of frustration hiring one could prevent seeing is how most consultants have so much prior experience in their given industry they can pass on a lifetime of wisdom directly to you and script writing was no different.
How to write a Script or screenplay in 40 years or less
When you are working full time and have a family to take care of, attending a Film school isn't a popular topic of discussion with your wife. "Ah, honey I know that we have bills to pay and mouths to feed, but I really need to learn how to write a better script". Even spending evenings at a local college taking courses in screenplay creation, writing believable dialogue and formatting was not an option for me. So it wasn't long before I had assembled and read a shelf of books on writing screenplays as long as my 70's record collection. (This was before Catherine's book "The Way of Story" book was available) as long as my 70's record collection . But there was something always missing and that was being able to Speak with a teacher or consultant.
My Search for a Script Consultant
As a webmaster by trade I'm usually good at finding what I need on the net by looking on Google, AltavVista, AOL's search, or DMOZ. But when it came to finding a worldclass script consultant, I was lost in a sea of mostly bogus search engine results. (Apparently anyone who knows how to make a basic webpage can call themselves a Script Consultant, and do LOL!) Luckily, I had heard of Catherine Ann Jones through a local film society, who's mailing list I was a subscriber. She was giving a workshop for local writers and although I could attend, I contacted her through the information on the flyer. I would consider this one of the best moves I made durring the creation of my film.
They say that those who can't do, teach
In Catherine's case this is completely wrong. The scripts and stories she has written have made it to major release at the box office, network and cable television specials as well as critically acclaimed stage plays. I don't know about you, but I would rather learn from someone who's "Been There", not just someone knowledgeable about script formatting and character development. When Catherine makes a suggestion, it's based on TRUTH of what sells in hollywood and more importantly what's Real to the world of your story.
Back to MY story, or Script that is
When I started writing my script for my first film I knew that it might not bring home the Palm D'or at Cannes, but I wanted to make sure that everything thing in my film was as good as I could make it starting with the foundation, the script. I wasn't really sure what to expect from a Script Consultant when I first got in touch with Catherine, but I learned very soon it was going to be an enlightening experience! After my fourth re-write and feeling my script was the very best I could make it on my own. I sent the script in. Catherine dissected my script word my word, line by line, page by page, making copious notes addressing every character, theme and and structure problem area of the script. She then mailed back to me a few pages of notes, plus a marked up script. Next we had our phone Consultation where she went over every detail in her notes and more. After our conversation I was fired up and ready to get back in there and tighten up my script. She had given me good ideas to expand upon and suggestions on what should be cut from the script without losing any steam, and at the same time would drive the narrative forward. What was left was a re-focused script, a distilled essence of my earlier vision. Not too long after my Script Consultation with Catherine I completed a final draft and started casting my film.
So is this an endorsement, or an advertisement for Catherine's Services as a script consultant? It's both, and it's something that I wanted to write for Catherine ever since she helped me with my script. Why? Because I'm trying to save you time searching aimlessly on the internet and at the same time share with you the Top-Notch Script Consultant I discovered. So look no further, Catherine is the Genuine article and will help you bring the cream of your screenplay to the top!
A dedicated customer/fan for life.
-Tommy Merry - "A Form of Guilt"
LEARN MORE ABOUT CatherineS:
Script Consultant Services
Workshops
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