Becoming a 6-figure Script Consultant

Becoming a Script Consultant
By Derek Rydall
Founder, ScriptwriterCentral.com

INTRODUCTION
How many times have you watched a movie or TV show and thought you could write it better -- or at least tell the writer (or filmmaker) how they could?
How would you like to have that conversation for real?
How would you like to make a six-figure income doing it?
If you’ll give me a few minutes, I’ll show you how.

The field of professional screenplay consulting officially began back in the early eighties when Linda Seger, considered the “mother of script consulting” developed a method for diagnosing and treating script problems. She started out charging $70 for a complete script evaluation, and within two years was able to turn it into a full-time business. (She now receives thousands for this service.) At the time, it was considered taboo to have a script consultant or ‘script doctor’ on your project. No writer wanted to admit his script was ailing and needed a ‘check-up from the text up.’ Nowadays, this attitude has reversed. In fact, it might even be considered irresponsible not to have a professional give you an objective evaluation of your script. It would be like knowing you have a potentially fatal disease and not seeking a medical opinion.

Linda Seger was one of the pioneers who paved the way. But since those first steps on the frontier, many more have followed. Today, script consulting has become a respected field, attracting talented and passionate people, from diverse backgrounds, who bring a variety of specialties. And it’s only the beginning. The art and craft of story analysis is still in its infancy. While we already have great thinkers who have transformed the way we look at screenwriting (and storytelling in general), the greatest ideas, the ones that will take this art to new heights, have yet to be articulated.

If you’re a writer, producer, executive, or director working in the entertainment industry – or aspire to be one -- becoming a script consultant may not seem like such a leap. Besides the obvious benefit of extra income, it will also enable you to grow your analytical and writing skills, and strengthen your ability to recognize and develop great scripts. But the exciting news is that you don’t have to live or work in Hollywood at all to become a script consultant. Linda Seger lives in Colorado, isn’t a screenwriter, and has consulted on over 2,000 screenplays, written many books, and traveled the world teaching the art and craft of screenwriting. “At this point, my clients now come from six continents,” Seger says. “I’m still waiting for that first script from Antarctica, even though they’re not writing scripts there yet.”

As the field matures, more and more individuals from non-entertainment backgrounds are becoming consultants, bringing with them a whole new array of services to upgrade the quality of writing and the quality-of-life of the writer. Just as doctors can specialize in various body parts or health issues, script consultants (or ‘Script Doctors’) have also created their own specialties. There are consultants who specialize in everything from the ‘mythological,’ ‘psychological,’ and ‘spiritual’ aspects of story and character, to the ‘criminal,’ ‘legal,’ and ‘relationship-focused’ films. If you’re a doctor, lawyer, teacher, police officer, politician, psychologist, minister, comedian, relationship coach, weapons expert, soldier, or just about anything else, and you have a love of movies and an understanding of story, you could create a niche business consulting on films that fit your unique knowledge base.

For example, let’s say you’re a history teacher with a passion for historical accuracy in films. Just add a solid understanding of screenwriting and VOILA! You’re on your way to being a script consultant specializing in historical pieces. Get the picture? And if you’re a retired professional, this offers a whole new way to use your life’s worth of knowledge, and a whole new world of adventure.

So the big question is, can YOU make six figures as a script consultant? Are there enough people out there in need of such services? Every year thousands of new screenplays, treatments, and outlines are written by professional and aspiring writers. (The WGA reports that over 100,000 new screenplays are registered annually – and what about all the ones that aren’t registered?) Thousands more are conceived of by professionals in other fields -- doctors, lawyers, mobsters (we’ll get to my mob story later) with private dreams of making movies and dining with the Hollywood Elite. (A partnership I have with a neurosurgeon has led to some of my most exciting projects. And as an added bonus, if I develop a brain tumor from banging my head against the wall, I can barter my services for his.)

Add to this number the thousands of aspiring producers (with ideas they’re sure will be blockbusters), and the truckloads of novels sitting in desk drawers (whose authors have dreams of seeing them adapted to celluloid) and you start to realize just how big a market there is. (Over 200,000 new books are published in the U.S. and U.K. alone each year, and it’s estimated that well over a million are written with hopes of seeing the inside of a Barnes & Noble. That’s a lot of potential adaptations!) If that doesn’t convince you of the immense opportunity out there, you can also throw in the thousands of scripts that circulate through talent agencies and production companies that need ‘Readers Coverage,’ and are frequently outsourced to script consultants.

While some of these scribes will seek feedback from their agent (hopefully one who’s not charging them), their friend (if they don’t mind risking their friendship), or their grandma (if they want a pat on the head and a warm cookie with milk), many more will need to hire a script consultant to give their ailing material a complete physical. And even the ones who get granny’s seal of approval will oftentimes need a ‘second opinion’ to save their baby from suffering a stillbirth. What’s more, some of these consulting jobs can turn into writing assignments, where you are hired to polish, rewrite, or completely develop a script – at a substantially higher price.

Finally, if you think it’s too late to ‘get into the market,’ because there are already too many script consultants out there, think again. The fact is, many of the above referenced individuals – especially those in other professions – don’t even know these services exist yet.

And with over a million potential clients, there’s enough to go around!

At The Script Consultant Institute (www.scriptwritercentral.com), We’ll show you how to tap into these markets and let these prospective clients know you’ve hung your shingle out. Utilizing over a hundred years of combined experience from the top script consultants in the business (including Yours Truly), you’ll be led through a step-by-step process where you’ll learn how to:

• Hone your reading, writing, and analytical skills
• Do ‘Story Analysis,’ ‘Book Analysis,’ and ‘Coverage’
• Become a Script Doctor
• Market your clients’ material for sale – and even be attached as a partner.
• Create the perfect advertising and target the right venues
• Master client communication and feedback skills
• Negotiate the deals, create the contracts, and collect payment
• Clarify your mission & compose a plan of action
• Maintain balance and passion

And much more!

HOW I GOT STARTED
About a decade ago, I was a steadily working actor. But, despite making a nice living, I was tired of waiting by the phone, beholden to someone else for my job opportunities – and decided to start creating my own.

Enter the world of screenwriting.

At first I thought I would write the perfect script for me to star in (every actor’s dream). But I soon realized I actually loved writing, and wanted to be more than just a wannabe. I took some screenwriting classes, read some books, and wrote several scripts. But something was missing. I just wasn’t getting the kind of hands-on guidance that I really needed to succeed. I needed a mentor…

Enter the script consultant.

His name was Allan Katz. He came from an acting background (as I had), and was now working full-time as a writer-script doctor-stage director (he was directing my soon-to-be wife in an award-winning play when we met). We really hit it off, and I decided to hire him to evaluate all the scripts I’d written so far.

I was a novice, of course, so those scripts were destined to be quartered and used as scratch pads and flip-books by my son. But getting together over coffee, hashing out my work page-by-page, line-by-line, and having revelations about my stories and my craft, was great fun. Equally important was having a mentor, a creative collaboration with someone who knew more about writing than I did. I looked forward to our meetings almost more than I did the writing itself. Writers tend to be a lonely bunch. Most of us need to come out of our caves and dwell amongst the living on a regular basis, or we start growing hair in strange places and craving raw animal flesh.

I grew tremendously as a writer during this ‘apprenticeship.’ And one day, Mr. Katz looked at me and said he could no longer work for me – because I knew as much as he did. (That’s integrity, huh? Surely, he could’ve squeezed a few more bucks out of me). And soon after this ‘graduation’, he started asking me to read his scripts and give him feedback. Needless to say, I was flattered – and nervous. But I did it.

He liked what I had to say.

And so began my journey as a script consultant…

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS – AND I LOOK THROUGH THE PEEPHOLE
I began offering to read other people’s scripts and, as word spread of my ‘insightful’ and enthusiastic feedback, the phone started ringing. It was a great learning (and ego-boosting) experience, allowing me to hone my analytical and writing skills. Then, one day, while I was giving my usual brilliant, witty, and ‘humble’ feedback on a script -- and the writer was slipping me two other scripts to read for free -- it suddenly dawned on me:

“Hey, maybe I could actually get paid for this.”

Thus began my ‘professional’ career as a script consultant.

And as more opportunities came my way, I started to think: “You know, if I actually took this seriously, I might be able to keep myself in clean socks all year!” So I decided to take the leap and make it an ‘official business.’ I registered by DBA (Doing Business As) under the name “The Script Doctor,” took out ads, printed up business cards and brochures, rented an office, and officially hung out my shingle. Word-of-mouth spread, and soon I had a full-time gig telling other people how to write better.

Things were rolling along.

Then something unexpected happened…

A client was so ‘impressed’ with my feedback on his script that he didn’t think he could pull off the rewrite -- and asked me to do it. At first I wasn’t sure if that was ethical, or if it really served the client (since he was a writer himself). But he insisted and asked how much I would charge. I took a deep breath, authoritatively allowing the question to hang in the silence like I’d done this many times before -- as my mind frantically groped for a clue of what the heck to say. Then I gathered myself, leaned forward confidently, and laid out the ‘deal points’ in such savvy fashion that Mike Ovitz would’ve been impressed.

Actually, I asked him how much he could afford -- he threw out a number that was somewhere north of a high-priced typist -- and I shook his hand like an eager kid getting his first job working for daddy.

But hey, I had my first ‘script doctoring’ deal.

When the project was completed, he liked it so much that he hired me again. This time, however, I was the wiser. I had him pay me part of my high-priced typist fee BEFORE I did the work.

Ha-ha! I was becoming a regular mover-and-shaker.

It’s true that ‘like attracts like,’ because soon other clients began showing up who wanted me to not only analyze their material, but rewrite or polish it as well. They were writers, executives, producers, directors, grandmas (I know, don’t hate me), and professionals from other fields. I found myself consulting on every aspect of story -- from choosing the right idea, to outlines, treatments, pitches, synopses, book adaptations, and more!
And within two years I was earning six figures consulting for clients around the world!

But being a script consultant has brought me many rewards beyond merely the monetary. Helping people realize their story’s potential, watching them pop into a whole new level of understanding and artistry, and celebrating their successes (including selling, producing, and starring in their award-winning films) brings with it a special satisfaction that remains long after the deal is done.

And the friendships and colleagues I have met along the way are, as the credit card commercial says, “Priceless.”

A FINAL INTRODUCTORY THOUGHT
You might think you’re not qualified. And you might be right…for the moment. That’s what The Script Consultant Institute is for -- to get you qualified. All the tools you need to become a success are there.

Just add sweat.

But let me remind you again that some of the top script consultants aren’t screenwriters, don’t live in LA, and initially came from completely different professions. And many who are screenwriters haven’t sold a screenplay in a long time (if ever) or made much money writing – but are making a nice living helping others do it. I don’t say this with any disrespect. In fact, many script consultants can write and do sell their work. The point is, you don’t need to be an A-list writer living in the Hollywood Hills to be a successful script consultant.

Do you love movies? Do you have the drive to be part of the magic? Do you believe you can, with the proper training, offer something of value to others with a similar passion – perhaps specializing in scripts that deal with your professional background? And are you willing to roll up your sleeves, push away the excuses, and do what it takes to succeed?

Then you, my friend, might just have what it takes.

The question is, will you take what you have – and get to work?

For more info and courses on how to become a successful script consultant, please check out The Script Consultant Institute at www.scriptwritercentral.com

“As a screenwriter, Derek Rydall has sold, optioned, or been hired on assignment for over 20 film and TV projects. He has developed projects for the producer of Ghost, RKO, U/A, Miramax, Saturn (Nick Cage), and many indie producers, as well as worked as a staff writer for Fox, Disney, and Deepak Chopra. As a story consultant/script doctor, Derek has helped writers, producers, actors, and directors turn books into screenplays, secure millions in financing, make six-figure script deals, get hired to exec produce, direct, star in their movies, obtain major distribution, and win awards. And as an author, Derek's book, I Could've Written a Better Movie than That!: How to Make Six Figures as a Script Consultant-- Even if You're Not a Screenwriter, is due out October by Michael Wiese Publishing. For more info, you can check out his site, www.scriptwritercentral.com, email derek@scriptwritercentral.com or call (661) 296-4991.”

Do You Have What it Takes to Be a Script Consultant?

Do You Have What it Takes to be a Script Consultant?
By Derek Rydall
Founder, ScriptwriterCentral.com

WHAT EXACTLY IS A SCRIPT CONSULTANT?
There are many types of script consultants with many techniques and specialties, but the following covers the basic job description:

SCRIPT CONSULTANT: Someone who analyzes and offers varying depths of feedback on screenplays at all stages (concept, query, pitch, outline, treatment, completed script, and even finished film), as well as evaluating books and stage plays for adaptation to the big or small screen. Services can also include ‘script coverage,’ ‘coaching,’ ‘teaching,’ and ‘script doctoring’ (rewriting and polishing scripts).

A script consultant works for writers, directors, producers, studio executives, and just about anyone else who has a story and a need to develop it. Script consultant fees vary, depending on the person, their resume, or their whim. Some charge by the hour, others by the project. Some even partner up and assist in the marketing. Some script consultants focus more on typos and grammatical errors than story and structure. Others utilize ancient tools and techniques, mythological maps and sacred mandalas. Some script consultants are ex-agents or studio executives, and will focus more on the commercial elements of the material. Others are psychologists or therapists and will diagnose the writer as well as what’s written! Sometimes, their feedback is so brilliant you’ll want them to write the script. Other times, it’s like taking a trip to hell – development hell. But mostly, script consultants are hardworking, intelligent, thoughtful, creative, disciplined, caring professionals that will give you a fresh perspective on your material, and offer guidance to take it to the next level.
Every major field has consultants that help diagnose problems and create innovative solutions. The entertainment industry is no different. Script consultants, therefore, deserve the same level of respect given to consultants in all fields. But they also deserve the same level of scrutiny to determine if they are qualified and the right fit for the client.
This is the profession you are about to embark on.
Which kind of script consultant will you be?

WHY WE NEED SCRIPT CONSULTANTS
If you were developing a business that would require an investment of tens of millions of dollars and have a possible return of hundreds of millions, would you invest a few hundred or even a few thousand to make sure your business plan was the very best it could be? If you were designing a building that would cost millions to build and could yield future contracts worth millions more, would you invest in having the blueprints evaluated to make sure that building would stand? If your answer to these questions is ‘yes’(and I sure hope it is), is it unreasonable to expect a writer, who has created a blueprint or business proposal (the script) for a multimillion dollar enterprise (the movie) to invest some money in making sure it’s as good as possible?
I don’t think so.

And I put my money where my mouth is by hiring script consultants myself.
Writers need to invest in themselves and their business – which is the script. Every successful company hires consultants to diagnose problems, create solutions, and gain a competitive edge. Screenwriters (and all who broker scripts) need to look at their business in the same fashion. Hiring a script consultant is an excellent way to give their script that extra advantage in a highly competitive marketplace.
That’s what you’re here to do.

And that’s the attitude you need to project to your potential prospects.
As a script consultant, you’re offering an incredibly important service that not only helps the writer create a better, more marketable script, but ultimately increases the potential of better movies being made – movies that have a more powerful impact on the global audience. In other words, the work you do can ultimately affect millions.
Yes, I’m a major optimist. But what I’m saying still has validity. It isn’t going to happen tomorrow. It may not even happen in our lifetime. But every quality note you give that inspires a writer, producer, executive, or director, and improves the project, is a seed being planted that, over time, growing together with all the other seeds, will reap a harvest of better, richer entertainment.

So be bold.

Know the value of your work and of yourself.
And when the opportunity presents itself, accept it – and the check -- with quiet confidence, knowing that you’re adding massive value to your client’s life, the entertainment community – and potential audiences around the world.

YOUR MARKET
The obvious prospects for your business are screenwriters (aspiring and professional) across the planet. Next would be the novelists and playwrights who want feedback on their material, or need it analyzed for its potential to be adapted to the screen. Then there’s everyone else in Hollywood with a script -- from talent and literary agencies (who need script ‘coverage’), to executives, producers, actors, directors, grips, drivers, make-up artists, caterers, and their second cousins.

But it doesn’t end there.

Not by a long shot.

There are the thousands of professionals in other fields (doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, entrepreneurs) who have scripts, books, or ideas they want developed into polished screenplays – and have the money to pay for it. What’s more – and this is a big one -- most of these people aren’t jaded, cynical, or paranoid.
Everyone has at least one great story in them. At any moment, your neighbor could decide their life is worthy of the big screen and seek help in turning it into the next Great American Screenplay.

Bottom line: Everyone is a potential client.

FIFTEEN REASONS TO BECOME A SCRIPT CONSULTANT
Just in case you’re not totally convinced about the prospects of becoming a script consultant, here are a few more reasons to whet your appetite:

1. A love of stories. I’ve listed this as the number-one reason because I honestly don’t see how you could do this work without a love of stories – or at least movies. This is what it’s all about. If you don’t get that tingling feeling in the pit of your stomach every time the lights go down in the theatre – and I’m not talking about the popcorn, sour gummy worms, and diet Mr. Pibbs creating nuclear fusion in your gut -- you might want to reconsider your career path.

2. Creative Collaboration. For me, this was a major reason for becoming a script consultant. What I crave most is the creative interplay with like-minded individuals. It’s the process that really turns me on. If you’re a writer, this gives you the opportunity to be part of the process whether or not your scripts are selling. Another reason this is crucial is that if you don’t like, or have the skills, to collaborate, you’re going to have a tough time in show business. Filmmaking is a collaborative medium. A screenplay is just a blueprint. It takes a whole crew of dedicated individuals to build that house.
I’ve made some lasting friendships doing this work. And I’ve learned a lot about life through my interactions with so many different people. If you like people and enjoy interacting with them, this will add richness to your life. If you don’t like people, however, you might want to consider a job in the fine art of embalming. Those clients rarely talk back.

3. The magic. Let’s face it, there’s just something magical about ‘the movies.’ If you’re already a part of the industry, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re not, this is an excellent way to participate in the process, to have a creative hand in what may become the future stories that shape our industry and culture.

4. Arrogance. In other words, you think you can do it better. Be honest, you’ve said it many times, “God, I could write a better movie than that piece of *&^%$!” And you know what, you might’ve been right. Of course, you can’t judge a script by the movie. The script might have been brilliant or at least really good. The fact is, there are so many elements that go into the process of making a movie -- pleasing an actor or director, fulfilling a preexisting deal with them, getting a movie in the can for a certain release date, or just too many cooks in the kitchen. By the time the script reaches the big or little screen, instead of bearing the screenwriter’s unique fingerprint, it looks more like the result of a bunch of children fingerpainting.

5. Telling others what to do. Admit it, you’re better at telling others what they need to change then you are at telling yourself. It’s always easier to see what’s wrong with someone else, isn’t it? The same seems to be true with screenplays.

6. Using your expertise. If you have a unique perspective or field of knowledge that could be useful in screenplay development, this could be an excellent way to put your wisdom to work. Categories like medicine, military, martial arts, and magic – just to name some of the M’s – have become genres in and of themselves. If you have a specialty, and a solid understanding of screenwriting, you could create a potentially profitable niche – and help create better, more innovative stories in these areas. Or if you just hate seeing movies in your area of expertise portrayed inaccurately, this could be your chance to finally change that!

7. Cash flow. If you’re an aspiring writer (or aspiring anything), you probably often find yourself with ‘more month at the end of the money.’ Trying to work on your projects and pay your bills at the same time is particularly challenging -- and if you have a family, it’s exponentially more difficult. You work a full time job so you can pay the bills and squeeze in some time to write your script, book, play, or shoot your short film (to keep from shooting yourself). Often you’re too tired to do it, or just plain uninspired after serving lattes to people all day long. And you look back after months – or years of this – to discover that you haven’t really accomplished all that much and are still living on Mac & Cheese. Don’t get depressed. Becoming a script consultant is a way to pay your bills (and much more), and be involved in work that inspires and expands you at the same time.

8. Greed. Not about money, but about movies. If you’re like me, you want to see really good movies (TV shows, plays). I hunger for them. I’m greedy for them. This is your way to have some control over the quality of movies that get made in the future.

9. Education. This is a great way to hone your skills and become a master writer, reader, story analyst, filmmaker, or just moviegoer – and get paid along the way! It’s important to stay a student of your life and work. All truly successful people know that life is about constant growth. If you’re not growing, you’re dying. Adopt what Tony Robbins (world-famous motivational speaker) calls CANEI – Constant and Never Ending Improvement!

10. Credentials. As a writer, being a script consultant can give you more exposure in the business, especially if you break into the studio system and work on bigger projects. But having any experience on your resume can give you more credibility for the next project, that book you’re trying to sell, or a seminar you want to teach.

11. A love of writers. I really enjoy hanging out with writers – and most other creative people in the arts and entertainment fields. I love talking about philosophy, world affairs, and brainstorming story ideas that connect it all. It feeds my soul. If you enjoy this kind of creative intercourse, then being a script consultant should be a good fit.

12. Flexibility in your career. If you’re working a 9 to 5 job (or 7 to 7 with traffic), you’re already painfully aware of the yearning for more flexibility. You already know the stress of trying to make a living and still have a life worth living. You already know the sense of loss of having to do all your chores on the weekend and never really getting a rest.
I’ve been fortunate not to work a ‘regular job’ for almost two decades (although I’m still haunted by the ghosts of day-job’s past). Being a script consultant has afforded me a lifestyle beyond what I had ever imagined, not just in terms of income, but in terms of freedom. I make up my schedule. If I want to go on a field trip with my kids, I can do that. If I want to take a vacation during the week, I take one. I’m my own boss. My dress code consists of whatever I happen to go to sleep in the night before. Most days my hairstyle is modeled after Einstein. Rush hour is the walk from my bedroom to my home office – which can be quite precarious, I admit. And my office is totally mobile (read: laptop at Starbucks). That’s flexibility, baby!

13. To add excitement and variety to your life. Doing the same job day after day can become worse than tedious, it can be downright soul-crushing. One of the greatest things about being a script consultant is that you get to work on different projects about different subjects all the time. And if you end up script doctoring (writing or rewriting scripts), you get to do research and learn about things you’d never normally take the time to investigate. If it wasn’t for this work, I wouldn’t know about early American bandits, ancient Atlantean customs, the sacred ruins of Angkor, the secret corruption of the social service system, and how many chromosomes a sperm has – and that was just on one project!

14. Tax advantages. If you already own a business, you know about this one. If you don’t, boy do you need to. Did you know you could save potentially thousands of dollars a year by having your own business? Things you already pay for, such as phones, cars, gas, computers, meals, trips -- you name it -- can all be partially or completely written off as business expenses. Check with an accountant to make sure everything you’re doing is ethical and according to current tax codes – but don’t delay in taking advantage of this!

15. For the fun of it. Being creative, helping others do the same, working on scripts and playing in all the different worlds they offer – is just plain fun! If you don’t think so, you might want to consider a career in the plumbing arts (no offense to plumbers).

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Contemplate the following statements, then write True or False beside each one. This is no Myers-Briggs personality test, so don’t take it too seriously. Nonetheless, it should serve to give you some insight into what ‘type’ of script consultant/script doctor you would be.

____ 1. I have a strong, yet thoughtful point of view.
____ 2. I am comfortable leading the conversation.
____ 3. I believe collaboration can improve the material.
____ 4. I am able to give and take criticism of my work without taking it personally.
____ 5. I believe in myself and am not quick to change my stance based on other’s
opinions.
____ 6. I have a good command of the English language and can have an intelligent
conversation with just about anyone.
____ 7. I am not afraid to defend what I believe.
____ 8. I seek win-win agreements over win-lose or lose-lose.
____ 9. I know my boundaries and honor them.
____ 10. I know my value and ask for what I need (including the right price for my
services.)
____ 11. I have a good analytical mind, able to dissect things and get to their core.
____ 12. I am interested in what makes people tick, and what life is really about.
____ 13. I believe others have a right to their opinions – even when I disagree.
____ 14. I often go with my gut, and I’m often right.
____ 15. I have a good understanding of storytelling in general, and screenwriting in
particular.

These statements deal with certain core values, attitudes, and aptitudes a good script consultant usually has. Add up all the times you answered ‘True,’ then compare them with the guidelines below. There are no right or wrong answers, but how you responded will give you some idea of where you fall on the scale.

12 or more True’s.
You are probably flexible, yet have a strong sense-of self that isn’t easily trampled on. You possess the outer skills as well as the gut-instinct to make solid judgements. And while being a collaborator, you aren’t afraid to have a strong point of view. You should make a good script consultant (if you have or develop the other fundamental skills), but be careful not to be too strong. While it’s true that the client is paying you for your expert opinion, they ultimately have the final word and must be honored – at least if you want to keep working.

8 to 11 True’s.
You probably have a pretty strong point of view and a healthy dose of head and heart intelligence. But you might find yourself struggling when push comes to shove. Maybe you’re a little stubborn, or maybe you’re not willful enough. Make sure you clearly communicate your needs and practices in a professional manner up front, honor your boundaries, be bold in your point of view, and remain flexible – and you’ll do great.

7 or less True’s
You probably tend to be more sensitive. That will serve you as an artist and overall human being, but if you want an enduring business as a script consultant, you might want to beef up your boldness and bone up on your communication skills. Don’t worry though, your passion and commitment should compensate for any ‘seeming’ lack of other traits.

THE CHALLENGES OF SCRIPT CONSULTING
While there are many reasons to become a script consultant, there are also a few challenges you might face along the way.

• Being Your Own Boss. I know this was also one of the ‘pros’. But the truth is, there’s more security (or at least the perception of security) in a regular job. There’s a weekly paycheck, a place to go every day, a routine to allow you to go on auto-pilot, free coffee (usually), someone else keeping you in line, and a host of other possible ‘perks.’ Being your own boss, running your own business, can be a challenge of Sisyphean proportions. It’s up to you to be a self-starter, to put together a plan (which we’ll talk about in Part III), and to implement it – without someone else looking over your shoulder all the time, telling you what to do. In other words, if there are problems or screw-ups, you can’t pass the buck to anyone else – the entire burden of responsibility rests upon your shoulders. Still up for the task? Read on…

• Dealing With People. I know I already said you need to love people. But the fact is some people are really hard to love. Remember when I mentioned my run-in with the mob? Well, I once had a client with a friend in that aforementioned group. He was a tough guy to please. And by tough, I mean impossible. And when he was ultimately, and expectedly, unsatisfied with my work, he demanded I redo it or he would have one of his ‘boys’ pay me a visit to collect. (Collect what exactly, I wasn’t sure. Nor was I eager to find out.)
I’m a lover, not a fighter. But I have a family and I was, and still am, quite fond of all my limbs. So I faced my fears, calmly but firmly chastised him for using cheap threats, and told him that if he wanted to resolve this in a mature and professional manner, I would be more than happy to accommodate him. If he didn’t, however, I would not type another word on his behalf. Obviously, I wasn’t fitted with size 10 cement shoes. And I can confidently confess that I no longer have to cringe when I start my car. He got the message and we resolved it. In fact, he became a long-term client who learned to respect my boundaries.

I had another client who would only pay me in cash, which isn’t so bad on the surface, except that he would only deliver it through drive-by drop-offs in strange locations. I knew I was in trouble when I found myself wrapping the script pages in unmarked butcher paper.
Bottom line: It takes all kinds. And if you’re at this long enough, you’ll probably meet them all. Remember, this is show biz, folks. Just be ready to communicate your boundaries clearly, and stick to them. And you’ll do just fine.

• Quitting Your Day Job. My advice – don’t. At least not until you have a growing business and some cushion in the bank (at least six months is preferred). It takes time to develop a presence in the marketplace, and credibility as a trusted and capable script consultant who delivers the goods. So give yourself the time, and relieve yourself of the unnecessary stress.

On the other hand, you need to believe in yourself and your vision, have the courage of your convictions, and be willing -- if the opportunity presents itself -- to take a ‘leap of faith’ even when the outer conditions don’t seem to warrant it. This requires real inner strength. Something that needs to be developed. Until then, it’s a good idea to apply your practical skills. Keep your day job – if you have one – and build your script consultant business on the side.

So that’s the list. Short, but potent.
If you feel the need to go a little deeper, take an honest inventory of yourself and your situation, write out your fears and fantasies, and create your own list of ‘pros’ and ‘cons.’ Then give yourself the time to let it all soak in before you jump in.

BEGIN A LUCRATIVE CAREER AS A SCRIPT CONSULTANT TODAY!

The Script Consultant Institute
www.scriptwritercentral.com

“As a screenwriter, Derek Rydall has sold, optioned, or been hired on assignment for over 20 film and TV projects. He has developed projects for the producer of Ghost, RKO, U/A, Miramax, Saturn (Nick Cage), and many indie producers, as well as worked as a staff writer for Fox, Disney, and Deepak Chopra. As a story consultant/script doctor, Derek has helped writers, producers, actors, and directors turn books into screenplays, secure millions in financing, make six-figure script deals, get hired to exec produce, direct, star in their movies, obtain major distribution, and win awards. And as an author, Derek's book, I Could've Written a Better Movie than That!: How to Make Six Figures as a Script Consultant-- Even if You're Not a Screenwriter, is due out October by Michael Wiese Publishing. For more info, you can check out his site, www.scriptwritercentral.com, email derek@scriptwritercentral.com or call (661) 296-4991.”

7 Deadly Mistakes Screenwriters Make When Using a Script Consultant

7 Deadly Mistakes Screenwriters Make When Using a Script Consultant


Dear Frustrated Screenwriter or Producer,

Having a hard time knowing which Script Consultant to use on your latest script?

Unsure of what level of feedback you really need?

Or maybe you are just hesitant to use a script consultant because of all the horror stories you've heard from others.

I wouldn't be surprised if all the above were true.

The truth is that there is so much misinformation and wrong assumptions made about Script Consultants in the industry today, that most screenwriters would rather avoid the whole industry, than take a chance on finding an honest consultant that will actually deliver on their promises.

Unfortunately, screenwriters who avoid script analysis exclude themselves from one of the most powerful ways to not only improve one script, but to accelerate their whole career.

In fact, having your script evaluated for all the reasons scripts get rejected, puts you on the top ten percent of all scripts submitted to the industry!

I might still be waiting tables if it weren't for the skills of a Script Consultant. And I know this is true for hundreds of working writers today.

But Now You Have No Excuse! Introducing...

"THE 7 DEADLY MISTAKES SCREENWRITERS MAKE WHEN USING A SCRIPT CONSULTANT"

The aim of this Special E-Course is to not only show you the most fatal mistakes screenwriters make when using script consulting services, but more importantly, what you need to do to avoid falling into the same traps.

Utilizing over a decade’s worth of personal experience and about 100 years of combined wisdom, this free e-course is jam-packed with so much information it could be an entire workshop worth hundreds of dollars!

Sign on today and over the next three weeks here’s what you’ll learn…

* The one fatal mistake screenwriters make that kills thousands of careers each year.

* The five factors of a superior script consultant and how knowing them will ensure you know how to choose the right script consultant, the right service, at the right price – every time!

* How to prepare in a way that lets you get much more than your money’s worth!

* How to manage the consultant session to increase the level of feedback you receive tenfold!

* What mistake could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars – even if you’ve found the best script consultant in the world.

* What to look for in a script consultant service so you will know 100% that you’re not throwing your money away.

* A step-by-step method that will help you use your script’s feedback to create the most effective rewrites possible – and take your script to the next level.

* How to turn your script consultant into a powerful industry contact!

And that’s really just the beginning!

By the end of the course you will be more prepared than 99% of all screenwriters when it comes to choosing and using a script consultant.

Who knows, your first experience with the right script consultant could end up being your first step to becoming a professional screenwriter in Hollywood!

So don't wait! Sign up for this FREE course now -- just click on the link above or copy and paste this URL into your browser:

http://www.scriptwritercentral.com/landingpages/7deadlymistakes/

Warning! I’ve already received death threats from fellow script consultants for making this e-course available.

Okay, not really. But I know some of them would like to ring my neck!

But in the interest of taking this industry to the next level, I feel compelled to tell you everything you need to know to get the most out of a script consultant – so that you can get the most out of your career.

However, this e-course won’t be free forever. There’s just too much valuable information in here (and, frankly, my marketing and business managers are pushing me to make it a product for sale).

In other words, if you plan on ever using a script consultant again – or know anyone who does – Submit your info to get your FREE copy of this course now!

Here's to your writing success,

Derek Rydall
Founder, ScriptwriterCentral.com

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Scriptwriter Central - Script Consultant Institute

Scriptwriter Central - Script Consultant Institute

At SCI we offer unprecedented and extensive training programs designed to take both aspiring and already experienced script consultants, and transform them into the elite providers of script analysis in all areas of the film industry.

AND THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU ON THE PLANET YOU CAN RECEIVE THIS TRAINING.

In fact, because we understand the huge need for this kind of training in the marketplace, we have put together comprehensive programs that cover all areas that make up the business of professional script consulting -- from in-depth analysis to advanced marketing systems!

The Accelerated Script Consultant Certification Course

The Accelerated Certification Course was designed, from the bottom up, to take anybody, anywhere -- with any amount of experience -- and within a few short months, give them all the information and support they need to start a very real career as a professional script consultant.
In an 8-week teleclass (24 jam-packed hours), taught by industry pros, students will get all the top training, technology, and tools necessary to build a script consultant business capable of earning up to $100,000 or more a year.

Utilizing over a hundred years of combined experience from expert script consultants, development execs, producers, and professional screenwriters, you'll be led through a step-by-step training system, where you'll learn how to:

� Master your script reading, writing, and analytical skills.
� Provide expert, Story Analysis, Book Analysis, and Coverage
� Become a Script Doctor and boost your income by several thousand a month.
� Market your clients material for sale -- and even be attached as a partner.
� Create the perfect advertising and target the right venues
� Master client communication and feedback skills, Negotiate the deals, create the contracts, and collect payment, Clarify your mission & compose a plan of action

And that’s just the beginning!

To Learn More About How to Make Six Figures as a Certified Script Consultant, click on the link above.

How to Analyze a Script Like a Pro

Are you one of the thousands of industry professionals who’s career depends on your ability (or the ability of those you hire) to masterfully analyze, cover, or develop scripts?

Are you a screenwriter who would like to know how to do an in-depth evaluation of your own screenplay, so you can make it bullet-proof from all the reasons readers reject scripts?

Then you need to learn “How to Analyze a Script Like a Pro.”

Through a series of in-depth audio teleseminars, hands-on analysis exercises, and instructor feedback, this course will take even the greenest development intern, agent trainee, or aspiring screenwriter, and arm them with the cutting-edge ability to evaluate and develop screenplays to their fullest potential!

For more info on this, click the link above.

We look forward to helping you create a 6-figure script consulting business -- even if you're not a screenwriter!

Make 6-Figures as a Script Consultant

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick note to check out the newly launched Scriptwriter Central at www.scriptwritercentral.com.

You'll find all kinds of valuable info and free stuff for screenwriters, script consultants, and those who want to make 6-figures as a script consultant -- even if you're not a screenwriter!

Be sure to sign up for the free courses, especially the free teleseminar on how to make 6-figures as a script consultant.

Meanwhile, take some time to continue honing your screenwriting of script analysis ability by watching a movie and writing out the scenes beat by beat -- creating a beat sheet of the movie. Don't get too detailed. Just write a scene heading and a brief description of what happens.

By doing this, you will be amazed at how much you learn about structure, about what works and what doesn't...and you will see the mystery of screenwriting and film storytelling begin to fall away and reveal its secrets.

I look forward to talking with you again...and talking/meeting you in person through one of the many workshops and seminars going on at ScriptwriterCentral.com

Have an inspired day!

Derek