tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21189834633760689962024-03-12T21:00:42.026-07:00Wendy Kram's TV & Movie TipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-25897054250254180642016-02-23T17:28:00.001-08:002016-02-23T17:38:14.984-08:00Great Screenplay Writing: Featured in Script Magazine<span style="background-color: #f4f4f0; color: #333333; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Almost every great screenplay has in common a strong character arc, which can be thought </span></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f0; color: #333333; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of as a line that stretches from where your protagonist is at the beginning of the movie to </span></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f0; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 12px; text-align: center;">where he or she winds up at the end. The arc charts the character’s transformation...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-great-screenplay-writing-part-5-character-arc"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4f4f0; line-height: 12px;">click here to read the full article</span></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f0; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 12px;"> </span></a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-79269661998290759692015-05-20T14:39:00.004-07:002015-05-20T14:58:27.933-07:00Great Screenplay Writing: Empathy with Characters<h3 class="post-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Even if we don't condone what some characters do, key is the ability to identify with them and understand their motives: <i>King Lear, Macbeth</i>, <i>Walter White</i>, <i>Francis Underwood</i>. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-empathy-for-characters-great-screenplay-writing-part-2?sthash.zbIOvfUM.mjjo"><span style="font-size: small;">Read more in Script Magazine's Wendy's LA4HIRE</span></a> </h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-50740247061639831912015-04-01T15:53:00.004-07:002015-04-01T16:40:32.529-07:00Great Screenplay Writing: Desire & Longing<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Check out my latest article in Script Magazine</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-great-screenplay-writing-part-1"><b>Great Screenplay Writing, Part 1</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What were some of the elements this year's Oscar Winning films, <i>Birdman</i>, <i>The Theory of Everything</i>, and <i>Whiplash</i> have in common? Find out, and learn what you can apply to your own screenplay. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Wendy Kram is a producer and the owner of WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, an entertainment consulting company assisting international screenwriters, filmmakers and producers seeking Hollywood connections and expertise in developing, packaging and selling their projects.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">To learn more, please visit <b><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">www.la4hire.com</a></b> or contact wendy at <b><a href="mailto:wendy@la4hire.com">wendy@la4hire.com</a></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/query-letters-useful">http://www.scriptmag.com/features/query-letters-useful</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-47195085216760147712014-06-28T18:26:00.004-07:002014-06-28T19:32:44.989-07:00SCREENWRITING TIPS FOR GREAT DIALOGUE<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This month's article in <b>Script Magazine:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-best-screenwriting-tips-great-dialogue">http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-best-screenwriting-tips-great-dialogue</a></span><span class="s2"> </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-8201547195797135862014-03-28T19:39:00.002-07:002014-03-28T19:39:15.796-07:00What Every Screenwriter Can Learn From Hitchcock<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Check out my new blog in Script Magazine:</b></span><div>
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<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/columns/wendys-la4hire-by-wendy-kram/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>http://www.scriptmag.com/features/columns/wendys-la4hire-by-wendy-kram/</b></span></a><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-90918603517100005872014-02-10T14:29:00.001-08:002014-02-10T14:34:58.260-08:00For Screenwriters What Goes into Getting Your Movie Made<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I came across an old article I had saved from the L.A. Times by Nicole Sperling which I've shared with screenwriters and clients in the past about the long road it can take for a project to become a movie. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">From 'King's Speech' to 'The Fighter,' original screenplay contenders had long, difficult paths to the big screen</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Many don't realize what goes on behind the scenes to get a movie made. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">So please check out this link, which although written a few years ago, remains highly relevant and provides good insights. I recommend this article to all screenwriters and filmmakers.</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/20/entertainment/la-ca-original-screenplays-20110220">http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/20/entertainment/la-ca-original-screenplays-20110220</a></span><br />
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Wendy Kram is a producer and the owner of WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, an entertainment consulting company assisting international screenwriters, filmmakers and producers seeking Hollywood connections and expertise to advancing projects.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
To learn more, please visit <b><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/">www.la4hire.com</a></b> or contact wendy at <b>wendy@la4hire.com</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-17948748938757412022013-09-19T12:14:00.002-07:002013-09-19T12:14:27.312-07:00How to Ace Your Pitch: Helpful Tips for Screenwriters <div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>This post as seen in Script Magazine:</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/how-to-ace-your-pitch-helpful-tips-for-screenwriters-world-conference-west"><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;"><b>http://www.scriptmag.com/features/how-to-ace-your-pitch-helpful-tips-for-screenwriters-world-conference-west</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Wendy Kram</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>is a producer and the owner of </span><strong style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #990000;">L.A. FOR HIRE</span></a></strong><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">, a consulting company for screenwriters, filmmakers and production companies, facilitating development, packaging and selling of TV and film projects. <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine </i>ranks her as one of the industry’s leading consultants. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">To learn more about Wendy’s services, success stories and how she can help you advance your projects, visit: <span style="color: #990000;"><b>www.la4hire</b> </span>or email<span style="color: #990000;"><b>wendy@la4hire.com</b></span>.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-55485864288841553042013-08-01T17:46:00.002-07:002013-08-01T17:49:06.628-07:00Essential Ingredients to Writing a Powerful Screenplay<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-essential-ingredients-to-writing-a-screenplay"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>http://www.scriptmag.com/features/wendys-la4hire-essential-ingredients-to-writing-a-screenplay</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Wendy Kram</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>is a producer and the owner of </span><strong style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/" style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #990000;">L.A. FOR HIRE</span></a></strong><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">, a consulting company for screenwriters, filmmakers and production companies, facilitating development, packaging and selling of TV and film projects. <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine </i>ranks her as one of the industry’s leading consultants. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">To learn more about Wendy’s services, success stories and how she can help you advance your projects, visit: <span style="color: #990000;"><b>www.la4hire</b> </span>or email <span style="color: #990000;"><b>wendy@la4hire.com</b></span>.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-21192572579719699992013-02-11T22:59:00.003-08:002013-02-28T19:13:43.274-08:00Script and Marketing Advice<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The following is a Q & A exchange from a client seeking script and marketing advice. I wanted to share the information as I thought it might be helpful to other screenwriters and filmmakers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: You give advice on marketing, so would you want me to submit a one-sheet or anything else?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: A one-sheet is helpful as it can be that overview which serves as a selling tool to encapsulate your story and entice your buyer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">The first step for an agent, executive, third party financier and so on is to assess the strength of the concept. <i>Is it commercial? Does it have engaging, original characters? Does the piece offer a great role that has the potential to attract A-list talent? </i></span><i style="color: #990000;">Will it resonate with a large audience? What are the stakes? Is there enough conflict? etc. </i><span style="color: #990000;"> The next and most important step is to evaluate the quality of the writing. How well does the writer execute his or her story? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In terms of my own process, I proceed from my creative instincts about what works and doesn't work, coupled with my experiences in interacting with agents, talent, studio and production company executives on a daily basis, listening to what they are looking for, why they respond to certain scripts and writers, and not others. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A one-sheet can be a very effective selling tool. But it can't stop there. As an executive for production companies based at Sony, Disney and Universal, and as a film and TV producer -- the most common words I hear in my daily conversations with colleagues are the following: "How is the execution?" Or "I liked the concept, but I didn't love the execution." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There have been many times when I thought I wanted to option a project based on a great premise. But then once I read the script, the writing fell short. As a result, I wound up passing. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Conversely, there might be a script that is not inherently commercial; however, if it is extremely well-executed, it might excite the imagination and passions of a leading actor, director or production company, in which case it becomes viable. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the current market place, unless a project is based on a large, pre-existing brand with a tremendous built-in fan base such as "Marvel Man", "The X-Men", "The Transformers", "G.I. Joe", and so on, companies do not want to spend a lot of money developing material and spending money on shaky outcomes with no guarantees of returns on their investments. If a company makes a movie that is less than par but still has a brand name and built-in audience, there is a good chance they will have a decent ROI. For a project that has no brand recognition, if the writing doesn't stand out, chances are your executive will pass.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marketing tools can enhance a project’s saleability, but there is no substitute for a great script. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wendy Kram is a film and television producer and owner of L.A. FOR HIRE, a boutique entertainment consulting firm. Ranked by </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;"><i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> as one of the Industry's </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;">"Best Script Consultants</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;">", she assists screenwriters and filmmakers from all over the world navigate the Hollywood landscape and advance their projects. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To learn more about Wendy and L.A. FOR HIRE, please visit </span><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">www.la4hire.com</span></b> </a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or contact </span><a href="mailto:wendy@la4hire.com" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">wendy@la4hire.com</span></b></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-22627266460407196972012-10-05T18:53:00.002-07:002013-02-21T19:53:03.344-08:00Marketing Your Screenplay<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">I want to thank The Writers Store for hosting my most recent webinar, and thank you to the screenwriters and filmmakers who attended: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">How to Sell
Your Film & TV Scripts: <i>Treatments, Loglines, Synopses & Marketing
Platforms</i><i>.</i></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
mentioned during the webinar that the <u>#1 marketing tool is to have a great
product</u>, because a great script will find its way to the top. However, marketing
still plays a key role in getting your script sold. If you have a great
script but don’t know how to market your project and make the right connections, it may never see the light of
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An
analogy would be to think of a popular soft drink like Coca Cola. Coca Cola could have the
greatest advertising in the world, but if the soft drink didn’t taste good, no
one would buy it. At the same time, if they have a great tasting product
but don’t advertise and market it, no one might know about it or ever drink it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
it comes to film and television, the right marketing tools – <i>effective
loglines, verbal pitches, cold-calling techniques to get through to your dream
companies, treatments, one-page synopses, and picture books </i>– are among the
tools that can give you a leg up in selling what might be <b><i>“the next great
Hollywood film!”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
you are interested in learning more about Wendy Kram & L.A. FOR HIRE career
coaching sessions or script and marketing consultations to further advance your
projects and careers, please feel free to contact me and visit <span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">www.la4hire.com</span></a>.</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
wish you all the best of luck with your projects, and I look forward to the
opportunity to work with you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Wendy Kram, Producer/Owner<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="mailto:wendy@la4hire.com"><b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">wendy@la4hire.com</span></b></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.la4hire.com/"><b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">www.la4hire.com</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Ranked
by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> as one of the Industry's </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">"Best Script Consultants</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">" & #1 in Marketing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-34623117078710090842012-09-27T18:06:00.003-07:002012-09-28T12:33:05.337-07:00SCRIPT CONSULTING: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESITONS...<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How do I get my material seen?!!”</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As
a producer, script consultant and former VP of development for production
companies based at Sony, Universal, and Disney, one of the most frequently
asked questions I hear from screenwriters is <i>“How do I get my material
seen?!!”</i> In response to this and other commonly asked questions, I
wrote this article to provide insights into the minds of industry professionals
and their decision</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">-making process when buying material. Having a better
understanding of how executives and agents think may enhance your abilities to
navigate the landscape, get your project seen, and advance your careers.
.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i>“How do I get my material seen? What is the common denominator to
success? Aren’t a lot of Hollywood executives jaded and simply don’t ‘get’ my
material?!”</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It
may be true that many Hollywood executives, producers and agents are jaded;
however, it’s because we read thousands of scripts, books, and pitches every
year. We’ve seen and heard just about everything. Therefore, the
responsibility rests with the creative talent to present material that is fresh
and well-executed.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
The answer to “What is the common denominator to success?” is simple and
yet highly challenging: WRITE A GREAT SCREENPLAY. A great
screenplay will get attention and recognition through a myriad of resources
such as: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pitch fests,
screenwriting contests, submissions to companies and agencies that are willing
to look at unrepresented material, writing an effective query letter,
networking, attending writers groups, and asking a friend who might have
connections for introductions. A great script will start to get
attention. It might make it on industry lists and websites such as
ScriptShadow or the Black List, resources that highlight outstanding
screenplays and are read by executives and agents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In
truth, every time an executive, agent, producer, reader or assistant sits down
to read a new submission, they are rooting for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“But
you just said that most executives, producers and agents are jaded, so why
would they root for me? It seems that a lot of them just can’t even
recognize a good script!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">To
succeed in Hollywood, it is essential to understand the paradox that both
diametrically opposed dynamics exist in the entertainment industry. Hollywood’s
decision-makers are inclined to say “no” to your project and the odds are
stacked against you. At the same time, they want you to succeed.
Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We
want the next great thing! How easy our lives would be if your script is
amazing. If we’re an assistant and become responsible for pointing out a
script that will eventually get made and become a hit, that assistant is likely
to get a promotion and move up the Hollywood ladder. If we’re a studio
executive or producer and this happens, we will get a raise, increase our
quotes, our percentage points and our status.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Put
yourself in the executives’ shoes. You come in to their office, you pitch a
project that you think is the most original, most fantastic idea. Maybe
it is. But there is also a good chance that the executive has already
heard a version of it before.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The individuals who ultimately have the power to green light
a film are investing millions of dollars in a movie. If it fails it’s
their ass, livelihoods, and pocketbooks on the line, not yours.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Screenwriters
often get wrapped up in the rejection process and lose sight of the
above. It’s important to make an honest assessment of your work by asking
yourself the following: “<i>Have I done everything possible to create a
compelling story? Is the dialogue fresh and gripping</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> or is it
expositional? Is the situation engaging?
Are the characters interesting? </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you cannot
honestly answer “yes” to all of these questions, the</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">n ask yourself this next question: “<i>If I had millions of
dollars at stake and could risk it all, would this be a script and story I’d
want to stand behind 100%?” </i>If the answer is no, it might be time to
get back to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Isn’t
it true that Hollywood is reactive?”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Yes.
If a certain type of feature comes out and does poorly, projects in a similar
genre may fall out of favor at the studios and be dropped. Conversely, if a
marginally perceived film does exceptionally and unexpectedly well at the box
office, suddenly the studios may clamor for that type of project. But it
is <i>also</i> true that there are Hollywood executives, agents, managers and
producers who are visionaries and risk-takers, who stand by the courage of
their convictions even if what they are trying to sell goes against the status
quo. It is the visionaries who set the trends. If they didn’t
exist, we would never have movies like “The Artist”, “Up”, “The Hurt Locker”,
or “Juno”, movies which go against the grain of high-concept, commercial
films. Once again, the common denominator to success: START WITH A
GREAT SCREENPLAY.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Take
another example, “The Ex-Files”. There had been nothing like it on
television before. Once it became a huge hit the networks were flooded with
copycat or “Ex-Files” wanna-be’s. None succeeded because almost nothing
is ever as good as an original idea that comes from a true sense of creativity
(as opposed to a replica that stems from a calculated vs. inspirational
place.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Because
Hollywood often operates from a reactive rather than purely creative place
doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone who doesn’t “get” your script is a
jerk. The submission process is often a numbers’ game to find the right
person who eventually <i>will </i>“get” your material and want to fight for it
and use their resources to get it made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“But
doesn’t Hollywood make bad movies? I’ve seen Hollywood make lots of bad
movies! How do they get made?</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">!”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">When I hear screenwriters ask these questions, it puzzles me. I
recognize the frustrations of getting turned down, but it’s almost as though these declarations are license and justification for not having to write a good screenplay.
Just because Hollywood makes some bad movies, do you want your script to be one
of them? Ask yourself, <i>what is it you really want?</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do
you want the fame and glamour of getting a movie made? Or do you want to
create a great piece of writing that will </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">make a
lasting impression? If you’re diligent and committed to the task of creating
excellent work, the fame and fortune should be the by-product. If your
focus is fame and fortune and not a commitment to your craft, chances are you
might not obtain the fame and fortune.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">While
bad movies might be useful guides to help you avoid certain similar pitfalls in
your own film, using negative comparisons as a barometer for your own work is
not productive or constructive. There are a thousand random reasons as to why mediocre
and bad movies get made, or start out with good material but then wind up
poorly executed. Rather than look at the negative examples of such films, it is
best to look at successful models of the types of movies that you are writing.
If you look to these for inspiration, they may trigger your imagination
further, and stimulate new and exciting ideas for your own movie. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“What
if I write a great script and it still doesn’t get sold or made? How does this
serve me?”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In
spite of all the glamour we see 24/7 in the media about Hollywood fame and
fortune, the truth is that this is one of the most difficult businesses to
break through. It is not for the faint of heart. It is for those
who are diligent and persistent and have the ability to sustain themselves
while pursuing their craft and passion.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If
you do write a great script and that script gets exposure – even if it doesn’t
get made -- there is a good chance it will lead to screenwriting jobs where
executives and producers will want to hire you.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many
screenwriters forget that the screenwriting idols they look up to have worked
on projects for YEARS before they ever got made. A few examples include
critically acclaimed, Oscar-winning films such as: “Crash”, “Shakespeare in
Love”, “Ghost”, “In the Line of Fire”, to name just a few. If it’s taken
brilliant filmmakers such as Paul Haggis years to get some of his movies made,
why should a writer starting out expect to hit a home run without having put in
his or her dues? A writer/director/producer such as J.J. Abrams is
another example of someone who did not achieve success overnight. If you
look at his bio, it’s clear that even though he is relatively young to have
such a successful career – he has in fact been working at his craft for a long
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In
1991, nearly 21 years ago he wrote a very strong “spec” script, “Regarding
Henry” which attracted Harrison Ford. Nine years later Abrams created his
first TV series hit “Felicity”. He then went on to create “Lost”, direct
“Mission Impossible” and “Star Trek”. He is one of Hollywood’s most
in-demand directors but again, his success did not happen
instantaneously. It happened through hard work and a continuous
commitment to evolving his craft.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The above
are a few examples that are intended to provide “tough love” and a realistic
assessment of the business with respect to insights that can help you better
navigate the Hollywood landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">That
it can be both the most magical, inspiring, and rewarding, while at the same
time difficult, fickle, and disheartening businesses in the world is a paradox
that exists within the entertainment industry.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> If you are looking for immediate gratification, you are
probably in the wrong business. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If
on the other hand, you have the discipline and perseverance to painstakingly
hone and refine your skills, and you are armed with good sense and
self-awareness, the entertainment industry can be the greatest business in the
world, and a myriad of possibilities awaits you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me know if I can assist you in advancing your project and career. For more information and testimonials, please visit <span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">www.la4hire.com</span></a> </span>or contact<span style="color: #990000;"> <b>wendy@la4hire.com</b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Wendy Kram, Producer/Owner</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Ranked by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine </i></b></span></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14px;">"Best Script Consultants" #1 in Marketing</b><br />
<a href="http://creativescreenwriting.com/consultant.survey.html"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">http://creativescreenwriting.com/consultant.survey.html</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-30399957939042357702012-07-31T17:00:00.008-07:002012-07-31T17:52:59.398-07:00SCREENWRITING DO'S & DON'TS<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 15pt; ">Over the years, I've read thousands of scripts as a producer and former VP Development for companies at Sony, Universal and Disney and had to separate the wheat from the chaff. Many times, I heard pitches that sounded absolutely fantastic in the room and I was certain I would option the project. But then after reading the screenplay, the</span><span style="line-height: 15pt; "> </span><i style="line-height: 15pt; ">execution</i><span style="line-height: 15pt; "> </span><span style="line-height: 15pt; ">fell short and what initially sounded like a definite sale became a definite pass.</span></span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8744706871183531331" itemprop="articleBody" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; line-height: 1.6em; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; "><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Execution</i> has to do with whether or not the concept is successfully executed on the page in terms of character development, structure, set up, pacing, dialogue, and the overall ability to engage your reader in the protagonist and his or her journey. There are tell-tale signs that a writer is a novice who has not yet mastered his or her craft, and lacks the skills that Hollywood decision-makers seek.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The following are tips on how to avoid certain "red flags" so that you can become a better writer, increase your chances of selling your script and establish yourself as a pro!<span style="line-height: 15pt; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DO</b> stay within standard script length -- 108 - 114 pages ideally. A 122 page screenplay is long but still acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DON'T</b> turn in a script that is 139 pages! Unless it's an epic such as "Dancing with Wolves", "Braveheart</span>" or "Seven Samurai" and you are one of Hollywood's A-listers at the top of your game, scripts should never be this long. Turning in a script that is too long is a tell-tale sign you're a novice and haven't had the discipline to edit your work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DON'T </b>write scripts with 20 characters. If you write a script with 20 characters, you dissipate focus away from your central character, the protagonist with whom we need to connect and engage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DO</b> write a central character with a <i>strong</i> point of view who will take us on a journey, seeing the world and experiences through their eyes, emotions, actions and reactions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DON'T </b>write character monologues that take up a whole page. In fact, avoid writing a character monologue that takes up even <i>half of a page. </i>This is a tell-tale sign you're an amateur. If you feel absolutely compelled to write a long monologue, break it up with visuals such as image motifs that correlate to what is being said and/or other character's reactions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DO </b>write compelling, vivid, emotionally engaging, endearing, flawed characters when you first introduce them. If you don't care enough about your character to create an interesting portrait of who they are to hook your reader, chances are the person reading your screenplay (an agent, actor, producer, director, executive) won't care about them either. Introducing a character and only including their age and the color of their hair is another tell-tale sign of an amateur.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DO</b> take pride in your work, making sure there are no typos or grammatical errors and that your script is formatted properly. How you present your work is a reflection of you. Always present yourself as a professional and be meticulous. If you are sloppy and do not care about your work's professional appearance, neither will your reader and it will wind up in the trash.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DON’T</b> write endless camera angles in your descriptive passages or stage directions with respect to dialogue and the manner in which your character should read a specific line. Let the director decide how to shoot a scene and let the actor decide how to read the line.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DON’T</b> write expositional</span> dialogue where your characters state exactly what they are thinking and feeling. Human beings in real-life do not speak this way. Often they are afraid to express how they really feel. Sometimes they might be passive- aggressive or say the opposite of how they’re feeling. Writing expositional<span style="color:#ffff00;"> </span>dialogue or dialogue that is “on the nose” limits characters’ dimensionality and depth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DO</b> write subtext where characters do not state exactly how they feel. Examples of great subtext can be found in Harold Pinter’s “Old Times” and the Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall classic “To Have and Have Not”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DO</b> use image motifs, awkward moments and even silent moments to convey mood and emotions. For example, a lead character sitting in the middle of an empty square surrounded by tall buildings tells us about the character’s isolation, without the character having to actually state that he or she is lonely. A picture paints a thousand words. Movies are visual mediums. Don’t be afraid to use pictures and images to help tell your story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=" ;font-size:100%;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" size="3" style=" "><span style="font-family:georgia;"><b>DON'T </b>write MASSIVE paragraphs of description or action -- try to keep it 3 to 4 lines max! (This last <i>"Don't"</i> comes courtesy of my good friend, Joseph <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Frio</span>, founder of ScreenplayFest <a href="http://www.screenplayfest.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none; ">www.ScreenplayFest.com</a>).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 1.6em; ">Content may be</span><span style="line-height: 1.6em; "> </span><i style="line-height: 1.6em; ">King</i><span style="line-height: 1.6em; ">, but Execution is</span><span style="line-height: 1.6em; "> </span><i style="line-height: 1.6em; ">God!</i></span></p><p style="font-size: 100%; "></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-size:13px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); ">Wendy Kram is a producer and the owner of L.A. FOR HIRE, a consulting company for screenwriters, filmmakers and production companies, assisting them in developing, packaging and selling their projects.<i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> ranks her in the Industry’s Top 3 Picks for “Best Script Consultants” and #1 in Marketing.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size:13px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); ">For more information about Wendy’s services, success stories and how she may be able to help you advance your projects and careers, please visit www.la4hire.com or contact wendy@la4hire.com</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-size:13px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="font-size: 100%; clear: both; "></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-62724921559736006812012-07-09T10:36:00.003-07:002012-07-09T10:48:38.890-07:00Screenwriter Success Stories<span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">'Shout out' to my client the fabulous Noemi </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">Zeigler</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "> for launching her new music video "</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">FEMINEM</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">" which she directed, produced, and performs, featured in the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">Huffington</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "> Post. When Noemi isn't performing, she teaches at an inner city school in Oakland. She enlisted her students in the great video. It has a great message about anti-bullying and being true to yourself. </span><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/college-professor-raps-anti-bullying_n_1632516.html" style="font-size: 100%; ">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/college-professor-raps-anti-bullying_n_1632516.html</a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">Please take a look at her video and post on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">facebook</span>, tweet and help spread the word.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">Another 'shout out' to my clients Troy Hunter and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Geof</span> Miller for closing their third feature deal in 3 months for their spec screenplay "Fear the Day", just optioned by Gran Via Productions ("Chronicles of Narnia", "The Notebook", "Donnie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Brasco</span>", "Breaking Bad").</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">These successes did not happen overnight but are the result of diligence, tenacity, hours of hard work and their uncompromising commitment to continually improve their craft.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">Kudos Noemi,Troy and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Geof</span>! You guys rock!</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><b>Wendy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kram</span>, Producer/Owner</b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><b>WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><b>Ranked by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> as Industry's Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants" & #1 in Marketing</b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><b>For more information about my services and how I can assist you in selling your projects and advancing your careers, please visit www.la4hire.com or email me at wendy@lar4hire.com</b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-35893371558110892662012-05-28T12:01:00.007-07:002012-06-04T02:07:31.026-07:00KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR SCREENWRITERS<p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;font-size:100%;" align="center"></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span _mce_ style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;"><b> </b></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >There are neither shortcuts nor substitutes for having a GREAT writing sample, preferably more than one. To be a successful screenwriter, you <em>must</em> have great samples of your work. The most successful writers and filmmakers in the entertainment industry got to where they are by developing a strong body of writing material, their success did not happen overnight. </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >Judd <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Apatow</span>, Aaron <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sorkin</span>, Matthew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Weiner</span> all worked diligently at their craft for years, continuing to hone their talents before they became famous. Fame only came about as a result of hard work and consistently turning out quality material. In the case of Matthew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Weiner</span>, he had written an amazing spec pilot called "Mad Men" over six years before it got made. While no networks were interested in doing period pieces at the time, the quality of the writing was so outstanding that it captured the attention of David Chase (the executive producer and creator of "The Sopranos"). Matthew went on staff of "The Sopranos" and became one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">show's</span> top writers.</span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >For years there was still no market for a period piece about the ad men of Madison Avenue during the the 50's and early 60's. However, Weiner's great piece of writing which contained fantastic dialogue, rich characters, conflict and subtext continued to be a cornerstone of his career which brought him more work, which in turn led to even more and more work. </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >Six years after Matthew wrote the pilot for "Mad Men", an executive at F/X who had always been a fan of the script was hired by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">AMC</span> to head up their original programming. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AMC</span> did not have a specific mandate, and the exec. was given great latitude to put whatever she wanted into development. She remembered "Mad Men" and put it into production. Through Matthew's experiences, working with David Chase, he learned how to become a show runner himself. The rest, as they say, is history.</span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >The moral of the story...</span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >Every great career is built on a cornerstone of great writing. I hear aspiring writers frequently comment about the number of movies and series that are made which are poorly written. There are myriad reasons why that might happen, such as a movie being based on an enormous, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pre</span>-existing brand like "Transformers" where the players involved are well-established, and wherein special effects are the dominant concern. While other reasons might abound, no executive intends to buy a script that is poorly written. </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >Great writing is a process. Every great writer I know always says that he or she is continually learning to be a better writer. Rarely is a script ready after a first draft. It often requires several drafts. Sometimes a script is a stepping stone to the next one. </span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" > </span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >What do </span><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hazanivicius</span>, Paul Haggis, and David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Seidler</span> have in common? When these writers sat down to write the scripts for "The Artist", "Million Dollar Baby", and "The King's Speech", it's unlikely they did so thinking they were going to win an Oscar. All of these films were great underdogs. Who would have thought in the age of Hollywood's love affair with special effects and high octane excitement that the film to take home gold would be a silent one? Or that a movie about a young female boxer who dies after losing her legs would be another contender? Or that David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Seidler</span> who wrote a small play and began the story forty years prior would also be taking home gold? All these writers knew at the time was that they had stories to tell, and went about telling them exceedingly well. </span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >The take-away...</span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" align="left"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >While it's good to be eager and want to get your script into production right away, it is also important to be patient with yourselves; put in the time to take the necessary steps that will make your scripts outstanding, and enjoy the process.</span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >***</span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" face="'Times New Roman'" size="3" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >For tips and feedback on elevating your writing, feel free to give me a call and visit: <span><b>www.la4hire.com</b></span></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style=" " style=";font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><i>Wendy Kram,</i> Owner/Producer</b></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</b></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>wendy@la4hire.com</b></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Ranked by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> as the Industry's Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants"</b></span></p> <p style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;"></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;font-size:100%;" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" face="Georgia,Palatino" size="3" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Georgia, Palatino; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Georgia,Palatino;" align="center"><span style="text-align: left;font-family:'Century Gothic','ITC Avant Garde',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Georgia, Palatino; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-4608086338403623682012-05-09T15:19:00.003-07:002012-05-09T15:49:35.575-07:00Screenwriters: "How Do I Get A Manager?!"<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span >Screenwriters often ask, "How do I get an agent or a manager!?"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span >On the one hand, if you get one of your projects going, it is easier to get representation because you will be a "produced" writer, or a writer whose works have been optioned. At the same time, if you're a screenwriter, I know you want to have a manager who will take your work out for you. It's a Catch 22. But there is one steadfast rule, and </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; ">it is probably not a secret to you-- </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; ">You must have a great script that demonstrates not only a good concept, but one that is well-executed in terms of plot, structure, character development, action and dialogue. Agents and executives pay attention to material that distinguishes itself by showing the writer has a unique and masterful voice.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span >The truth is that great work has a way of getting found. And for screenwriters, it is important to have more than one solid writing sample as agents, managers and executives need to know that you are not a one-trick pony. You need to show that you can consistently hit the mark. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; ">Making sure your scripts are at the best writing level they can be is the key to finding representation and/or getting produced. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; "><i>Do you know how to tell if your project is market-ready? </i>Show your script to respected industry colleagues and other screenwriters whose works you admire for feedback. You might also hire a professional script consultant, and make sure to do your due diligence when deciding who to use.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span ><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">InkTip</span> can also be a good resource for screenwriters, as production company executives use the site to look for material by genre. Attend prestigious Pitch Fests and Film Festivals that attract A-list Hollywood executives. In addition to the biggies such as Tribeca, Sundance, Berlin, and Venice, other prestigious festivals that are smaller but provide opportunities to make excellent contacts and network include the Austin, Palm Springs, Slamdance, and Toronto Film Festivals, among others. For more information on Academy qualifying festivals, go to oscars.org/awards/academyawards/rules/shortfestivals.html Top Pitch Fests include InkTip Writers Pitching and Networking Summit and The Great American Pitch Fest.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px; ">I hope you find the above helpful. If I can assist you or someone you know, please visit:</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 16px; "><o:p><span ><b>www.la4hire.com </b>or email <b>wendy@la4hire.com </b>for more details</span></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b><o:p style="font-size: 16px; "><span >Wendy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kram</span>, Producer/Owner</span></o:p><span style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; "> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; "><b>WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; "><span ><b>Ranked by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine </i>as the Industry's Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants"</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span ><br /></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-9211603431147491812012-03-21T14:23:00.006-07:002012-03-21T14:41:30.980-07:00Importance of Log Lines for Scripts<span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">A question was recently asked by a writer if one should start with the log line when writing a screenplay.</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span>As a script consultant and producer, I don't think there's a steadfast rule, as each writer may find a different source of initial inspiration and it's important to honor your own unique process. </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">In my experiences in working with screenwriters for over 15 years, I have found that o</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">nce an idea begins to form, log lines can be helpful with respect to bringing </span><i style="font-size: 100%; ">focus</i><span style="font-size: 100%; "> and direction to your story -- so that it becomes a reference point from which action, character and plot may flow. L</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">og lines therefore, are not only sales tools for pitching; they also can create the spine to your screenplay during the creative process. </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">If you can define your core concept by encapsulating it into a sentence or two, this reference point can be an effective springboard.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span>At the same time, it's not good to be slavishly wed to one particular way of doing things so you can allow for your muse and the unexpected to come into play. Many times the surprises, the elements you didn't plan, become the moments that make your script stand out. You might even find once you've started your screenplay that you will need to go back and revise your log line. But the purpose of having one to begin with served its purpose in getting you to this point.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span>I hope the above is helpful. Please check out my website www.la4hire.com as I specialize in assisting writers elevate the quality of their writing and execute their vision. </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span>Wendy Kram, Producer/Owner</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span>WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE CONSULTING </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span>wendy@la4hire.com * www.la4hire.com</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></div><div><span><i>Ranked by Creative Screenwriting Magazine as Industry's Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants" </i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><span><i><br /></i></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-31538807813903226752012-03-18T13:11:00.005-07:002012-03-18T13:31:57.306-07:00Screenwriters' Stepping Stones<div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">I have recently met a lovely screenwriter through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Linkedin</span> Group, <i>Independent Filmmakers & Screenwriters</i>, Stephen M. Hunt. It's a great group by the way. Stephen hails from England, has an accomplished career (impressive I might add), and offered <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eloquent</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">advice to a fellow UK screenwriter who was planning on making a trip to Hollywood in the hopes of selling a project. I would like to share what he wrote:</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 10pt; "><span></span></span><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>"Rarely does a single trip deliver the answer to all your prayers. Usually getting there comes from advancing by stepping-stones, one at a time...Your trip is more like your next important stepping-stone that could lead to others and then others and then others..."</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>I believe the above is a great philosophy because "making it" as a screenwriter is a process and does not happen overnight. Whether you are improving the quality of your writing, brushing up on your pitching skills or developing industry relationships, each stepping stone makes you that much smarter, better at your craft, and closer to realizing your goals.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>I would also recommend that you have more than one screenplay or project when you start taking meetings for several reasons: 1) So you don't put all of your eggs in one basket as prospective buyers might not be looking for the type of movie you wrote at the moment 2) You then have other material to speak to them about and one of your other scripts could turn out to be a better fit for them 3) When looking for an agent, in particular, the agent wants to know that you have a body of solid work that demonstrates consistency and you're not a one trick pony 5) As a writer, you want to keep moving forward. It's great to be focused and give concentrated energy to one project. At the same time, writers need to continue to stretch and challenge themselves creatively. Often, writers learn from each of their projects and by writing a new script, a writer gets to test and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exercise</span> what he or she has learned.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>I hope the above is helpful. For questions and consultations to help you sell your projects and advance your careers, please fee free to contact:</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family: georgia; "><span >Wendy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kram</span>, Producer/Owner</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span >WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span >310-994-3259</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span >wendy@wendykram.com</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span >www.la4hire.com</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Ranked by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> as Industry's </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span ><span>Top 3 Picks </span>for "Best Script Consultants"</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-62301796216414845872012-02-18T19:16:00.000-08:002012-02-18T19:23:22.720-08:00Advice for Screenwriters<span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div align="left" _mce_style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; "><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teachers and mentors come in all different forms, and sometimes one small saying from one of them can resonate long after it is heard and become a reference point for achieving our goals. Legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, was a very wise man who gave great advice to his players. His wisdom can be applied to screenwriters:</span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; "><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></span></span><div _mce_style="text-align: right;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: right; "><em _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; "><span> </span></em></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000;"><em>"There are no shortcuts. </em></span><span> </span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"><em>Good things take time, as they should. We shouldn't expect good things to happen overnight...When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur.... Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made." John Wooden</em></span></span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wendy Kram, Producer/Owner</span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">310-994-3258</span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wendy@la4hire.com</span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ranked by Creative Screenwriting Magazine as Industry's Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants"</span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><span _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="left" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: center; font-size: 11pt; "><span>For more information about Wendy Kram and L.A. FOR HIRE services, please check out our website at:<strong><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/" shape="rect" style="cursor: default; ">www.la4hire.com</a></strong> </span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-64674165620912238402011-11-23T11:09:00.000-08:002011-11-23T12:57:32.835-08:00Reality TV & Branding<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span">I was recently asked to evaluate a treatment for a reality TV series. </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Many writers and producers come up with good ideas for reality shows, but there is a key component they don't realize they need, and it is essential when trying to sell a show -- which is you must attach a significant element. Without the auspices of having a renowned expert or celebrated personality in the field, the idea will be too generic, in that many people can come up with an idea. It’s the auspice that you can attach that distinguishes your project and becomes the tipping point to get buyers’ (i.e. network, cable, etc.) attention. "America's Next Top Model" sold because the producer attached Victoria Super Model, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tyra</span> Banks. "Project Runway" had the auspices of another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Uber</span> Super Model, Heidi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Klum</span>. Without these well-known celebrities, the shows would not have sold. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Other ways to make your project stand out is to use on-line media. You can work on generating a buzz by creating a digital series, filming individuals with compelling stories, and putting them on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">youtube</span>. If you are able to develop a following, you might be able to attract network and cable interest, as well as a sponsor, especially if there are products and brands that tie in with your show. Another possibility is to create a blog or use Twitter. Examples include "Julie and Julia" which started out as a blog, became a book and then was optioned by a top Hollywood producer and turned into the blockbuster film with Meryl <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Streep</span> and Amy Adams. "Sh*t My Dad Says" started out as a bunch of tweets and developed a huge following as well, eventually gaining the attention of a production company which in turn sold the project as a series to CBS. While the series ultimately did not succeed, it turned the Tweeter into a millionaire. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I hope the above provides useful information. If I can be helpful in providing further insider tips and strategies to advance your projects, please feel free to contact me. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>wendy@la4hire.com 310-994-3258 www.la4hire.com</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Recognized by Creative Screenwriting Magazine as "Top 3 Consultants" in the Industry</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></p><p></p><p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-32492484122371101922011-01-30T13:38:00.000-08:002011-01-30T15:11:42.428-08:00Landing a Job in Hollywood When You're Just Starting Out<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">I recently received a question from a young woman who had just completed a course in 3D Animation and was having a hard time finding work. </span><span class="Apple-style-span"> In spite of being immensely talented, c<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ompanies</span> require experience in order to hire you. B</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ecause</span> she just finished school, she didn't yet have that experience. She wanted advice on what she could do to break in.</span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Is it the typical catch 22 that all new graduates face today, particularly in this economy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">where</span> there is plenty of surplus and a plethora of experienced talent?" she wanted to know. "How do you get your foot in the door?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >My suggestion is the following:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">It's always a catch 22, but there is also a solution which is to call companies and offer to work as an intern. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">While clearly the end-goal is to land a paying job -- working as an intern can be an invaluable experience that can cement relationships and offer great returns on your investment in a relatively short period of time. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Many studios and networks have diversity programs and if applicable to your situation, these programs are extra ways to gain opportunities. Working as an intern gets your foot in the door, allows you to prove yourself, develop contacts and exposure for a promotion or paying gig within that company. You've also solved the catch 22 problem because now you <i>do</i> have experience. A</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dditionally</span></span>, it</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> looks good on your resume, enhancing your overall "hire-ability"as companies love seeing other "name" companies on applicants' resumes. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I hope the above is helpful. If I can provide additional tips and advice, or if you need assistance polishing your screenplay and selling your project, please feel free to contact me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Wendy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kram</span></span></span>, Producer/Owner</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >310-994-3258</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >wendy@la4hire.com </span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >www.la4hire.com</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ranked by <i>Creative Screenwriting Magazine</i> as Top 3 Picks</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >for "Best Script Consultant"</span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-54683958098053506532011-01-04T11:25:00.000-08:002011-01-04T11:48:01.407-08:00Wendy's Script Tip<span style="color:#990000;">Brief Script Tip:</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">If you've been working on multiple drafts of the same script and feel like you're starting to beat a dead horse, take a break and work on some other projects. Very often, the distance from the work will do your head a world of good! Engaging in some of your other projects will stretch different parts of your brain and help you step out from places you've been stuck. Freeing up your mind to explore different avenues of your creativity will most likely unleash new inspiration for you. Then when you go back to your old project, chances are you will come to it with fresh perspective that breathes new life into your characters and story.</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">For other tips, career advice and private script consultations, please feel free to contact me me.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and that 2011 brings you lots of <em>"Go"</em> projects! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Wendy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kram</span></span>, Producer/Owner</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc. & WK Productions</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;"><em>Creative Screenwriting Magazine Top 3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants"</em></span></strong><br /><a href="mailto:wendy@la4hire.com"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>wendy@la4hire.com</strong></span></a><span style="color:#990000;"><strong> * </strong></span><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>www.la4hire.com</strong></span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-57938305780654025532010-12-20T11:35:00.000-08:002010-12-20T12:11:55.021-08:00For Screenwriters on Choosing an Agent or Manager in Hollywood<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A young screenwriter who recently received two offers from literary managers asked for my advice as to how she should go about choosing the right one.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">First, this is wonderful news...</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">any</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> time any one of you receives recognition for your work, please take a beat to pat yourself on the back. In one of the most competitive fields in the world, when others appreciate your creativity and talent, this is an accomplishment you need to acknowledge. Your hard work and unique skills are paying off and this is a positive sign of additional opportunities to come. Congratulations! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">In choosing an agent or manager, my advice is the following:</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A) Be polite and express your enthusiasm about their interest in you, but don't be afraid to ask questions and do some due diligence. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">B) Look them up on </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IMDBpro</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">.com and see what other clients they represent. If they have any big hitters, that gives them easier </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">entrée</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> to network executives and production companies which means they have more leverage to get buyers to actually read your work. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">C) Ask them if they could spell out their </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">game plan</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> for you and your career. Ask these additional questions:</span><br /><ul style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><li>Who do they plan to send your material to?</li><li>Who would they like to get you meetings with?</li><li>Where do they feel they're the strongest, i.e. comedy, drama, cable, prime time, day time, animated, children's programming, etc. and are their strengths in these areas a match with yours?</li><li>Where do they see your career going? Features or Television? Starting out on half-hour comedies, one-hour dramas and eventually becoming a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">show runner</span>? </li><li>Do they want to team you up with any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">show runners</span>?</li><li>Do they want you to write more spec shows, original material and so on.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Finding the right agent or manager is like dating...see if you're on the same page.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I hope the above is helpful. If I can offer further advice to you or someone you know, please check out my website and let me know how I can help! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Cheers to a happy holiday and all best wishes for a fantastic and prosperous 2011 -- </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">with lots of "Go" projects!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Wendy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kram</span>, Producer/Owner</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><em>Creative Screenwriting Magazine Top</em></strong><span class="739471620-15122010"> </span><strong><em>3 Picks for "Best Script Consultants</em></strong><strong><em>"</em></strong><span class="739471620-15122010"> </span><strong><em>2010<span class="739471620-15122010"> </span></em></strong><span class="739471620-15122010"> </span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">wendy@wendykram.com * 310-994-3258 * www.la4hire.com<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-86618015223062339302010-10-19T10:11:00.000-07:002010-10-19T10:44:00.461-07:00Excellence is in the Details<div style="font-family:georgia;">The week before last, I attended The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hamptons</span></span></span> International Film Festival.<span class="924593100-19102010"> </span>I found it to be just the right size...not too big and not too small<span class="924593100-19102010">. Se</span><span class="924593100-19102010">t in one of the most beautiful places in the world, </span>the overall quality of <span class="924593100-19102010">movies in the narrative, short film and documentary <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">categories</span> </span>was excellent<span class="924593100-19102010">!</span><br /><br /><span class="924593100-19102010">In addition to Tom Hooper and Danny Boyle, two of my favorite contemporary filmmakers, for their respective movies "The King's Speech" and "127 Hours", I'd like to pay special props to the following standouts who exemplify great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">film making</span> and how excellence is in the details:<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="924593100-19102010"></span> </div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span><div style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="924593100-19102010"><strong>WHEN WE LEAVE - Feature Narrative</strong></span></div> <div style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="924593100-19102010"> <div><strong><span class="desc">Directed by: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Feo</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aladag</span></span></span></span> <span class="desc"></span><span class="desc"></span><br /></strong><span class="desclong">A stunning and heartbreaking drama, WHEN WE LEAVE confronts the realities of female oppression within traditional, religious families. While the story <span class="924593100-19102010">seems sadly familiar, </span><span class="924593100-19102010"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aladag's</span></span></span></span> directing <span class="924593100-19102010">is so</span> eloquent and powerful<span class="924593100-19102010">, she brings fresh perspective to a topic we've heard about many times over. Even</span> <span class="924593100-19102010">when </span>I knew what <span class="924593100-19102010">was coming, the filmmaker still managed to surprise us and </span>serves as testament to how details and execution are everything.<span class="924593100-19102010"> </span></span><span class="924593100-19102010"><span class="desclong">I was blown away.</span></span><span class="desclong"><span class="924593100-19102010"> Since it's premiere, it has </span><span class="desclong">been recognized many times over with honors,<span class="924593100-19102010"> and it ha</span></span></span><span class="desclong">s been selected as Germany's official entry for the 2011 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.<br /><br /></span></div> <div><span class="desclong"></span><span class="desclong"><span class="924593100-19102010"></span></span> </div> <div><span class="desclong"><span class="924593100-19102010"> <div><strong><span class="descbold"><span class="924593100-19102010">STRIKING A CHORD - </span></span><span class="descbold">Short Documentary</span><br /><span class="desc">Directed by: Susan Rockefeller </span></strong></div> <div><br /><span class="desclong">Focusing on the healing power of music<span class="924593100-19102010"> through the perspective of American troops in Iraq, <span class="924593100-19102010">STRIKING A CHORD <span class="924593100-19102010">hits a perfect pitch with Rockefeller's dynamic and confident directing style. Even if it's a story we think we know, Rockefeller takes us behind the scenes of men and women in combat in ways we haven't seen before. And she does so with perfect cinematic rhythms, letting the characters tell their own stories while showing both the adrenaline rush of their lives along with their vulnerability as humans, the heartbreak and nobility of their sacrifices, and the common denominator which everyone shares: music. The film is made in association with the We Are Family Foundation. for more information and to see the trailer, go to: <a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org//initiative/striking-a-chord-movie">http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org//initiative/striking-a-chord-movie<br /></a><br /></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div> <div><span class="desclong"><span class="924593100-19102010"></span></span> </div> <div><span class="desclong"><span class="924593100-19102010">I recommend both films highly. Each one of these filmmakers shows how excellence is achieved through the small details, showing us what we think we know in ways we haven't seen or thought about before. Kudos ladies!!<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div><span class="desclong"><span class="924593100-19102010"> </span></span></div></span></div> <div style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="924593100-19102010">Special nods also to Daniela <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bajar</span></span></span> for her hard work as an Industry <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Liaison</span> and to all those involved in selecting such a high level of films. You all made the festival a great experience.</span><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >Wendy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kram</span></span></span>, Producer/Owner </span></strong></div> <div align="left"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><strong>WK Productions & L.A. FOR HIRE, Inc.</strong></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>310-994-3258 (direct)</strong></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>310-943-2440 (fax)</strong></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><a href="mailto:wendy@la4hire.com"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><strong>wendy@la4hire.com</strong></span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></span></span></div> <div align="left"><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><strong>www.la4hire.com</strong></span></a></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><strong><br />blog: </strong></span><a href="http://wendystipsatlaforhire.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><strong>http://wendystipsatlaforhire.blogspot.com/</strong></span></a></div> <div align="left"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.la4hire.com/"><strong></strong></a></span> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 110%;"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Century Gothic";"></span></u></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Century Gothic";"></span></b><i style=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style=""></span></span></i><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Wendy Kram was recognized by Creative Screenwriting Magazine in their 2010 Edition of "Best Script Consultants" as the “crème de la crème", ranking<span style=""></span> within the top 3 out of 165 consultants reviewed by screenwriters.</span></p> </div><br /></div> <div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span class="924593100-19102010"></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" class="924593100-19102010" ></span><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118983463376068996.post-17192585467382245162010-07-26T18:37:00.000-07:002010-07-26T19:52:34.947-07:00Writer/Comic Michael James NelsonCongratulations to my client, Michael James Nelson, who has had an amazing month!<br /><br />Michael has been on the front page of Will Ferrell's website "Funny or Die" a total now of six times.<br /><br />His <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">BP</span> video, which he wrote, directed, and stars in, was featured on "Funny or Die" and today made The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Huffington</span> Post!<br /><br />Michael also performed on the main stage at The Comedy Store and was invited back to do a 20 minute set on August 22<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span>.<br /><br />Make sure to check him out.<br /><br />Michael has been diligently writing comedy sketches, performing and honing his craft -- and it just goes to show that hard work does pay off!!<br /><br />Check out Michael's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">BP</span> video:<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/26/an-unedited-look-at-the-p_n_659645.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/26/an-unedited-look-at-the-p_n_659645.html</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199137672425040730noreply@blogger.com