Question:
Should I hire a consultant?
Should I Use a Consultant?
As hard as it is to break into screenwriting for money, and as lonely as it can be writing and having no one with experience in screenwriting to read your work and give you feedback, it's no wonder screenwriting consultants thrive. Sadly though, many working in screenplay consulting haven't the experience to give you worthwhile feedback. Some firms use other aspiring screenwriters—who know nothing of significance more than any other new writer. In other words, beware!
Consultants Defined
Basically anyone who accepts money to read your work and give you feedback (and perhaps other services) is a screenwriting consultant. They typically charge hundreds of dollars—a price range that is a stretch for most new writers.
What a Consultant Gives You
Services vary, but all consultants give you feedback on your screenplay to help you decide if it is “ready” for the eyes of people who reply positively to your excellent query letters. Is this valuable? The feedback may be quite helpful (or quite useless), but telling you that your screenplay is ready is an outcome in direct conflict with the consultant earning additional income from you by telling you to make changes and come back for another review (at your cost).
Screen Writing Frequently Asked Questions
How do I follow screenplay format?
How do I dream up a movie idea?
How do I obtain representation?
Do I have to move to Hollywood?
How do I make a story believable?
How do I add direction to dialog?
How do I get input on my writing?
How do I stay focused on my writing?
What is important to remember regarding creativity?
How do I get into screenwriting?
Do I need to rewrite after my first draft?
What is the upside of the writer´s life?
How do I keep the audience´s attention?
What will I write for Hollywood?
What shows may educate me about screenwriting?
How do I write shots and camera angles into my scripts?
What is my role as a screenwriter?
What would I offer Hollywood as a screenwriter?
How do I use writing to get into acting?
How do I keep the reader reading?
How do I indicate voiceover, or off screen dialog?
Where can I see movies or shows made from good scripts?
How do I give copyright notice?
How do I keep readers interested?
What festivals should I attend?
Where else can I learn more about screenwriting?
Where can I find exposure for my writing?
An agent has asked me to write a "Blurp/Logline" about my screenplay. What is a Blurp/Logline?
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