SPECSTARS - screenplay/script notes

SpecStars Script notes for your short, feature, synopsis, or treatment.

"This might hurt ... a lot."

FREE FIRST PAGE DEAL*: Send me your first page for a FREE analysis
(see if you can take the heat)

Consider these points:
    - Does the story begin immediately?
    - Have you set the tone?
    - Do you have your reader's FULL ATTENTION??

*This deal applies to the first page of your script only, and not in combination with other pages.

IN-DEPTH NOTES: $2.00 per script page

    - Full read
    - Checklist and Written Analysis
    - Summary of both problem areas and outstanding work
    - Brief email discussion after you receive my report
      (A chat regarding ideas for revisions, new story threads,
      etc, or any questions you may have.)

Press Pay Now button and enter number of script pages to be reviewed as the quantity ($2/page)

SYNOPSIS OR TREATMENT NOTES: $5.00 per page

    - Full read
    - Summary of content as understood
    - Summary of both problem areas and outstanding work
    - Brief email discussion after you receive my report

Press Pay Now button and enter number of synopsis/treatment pages to be reviewed as the quantity ($5/page)

David C.C. Erickson
(50s), self-proclaimed genius.
IMDBPro

McKnight Screenwriting Fellow
London Screenwriter's Festival
Best Feature
Strasbourg International Film Festival
Invited Director
Writer/Director Feature Film
OUT GO THE LIGHTS

THEN: Send your script pages (.pdf format ONLY) to DAVID at SPECSTARS dot COM. Once I've verified payment (if more than the first page), I will begin. My report will be ready in 3-5 days. The Free First Page Deal reports may be subject to a longer waiting period ... because they're free.

PLEASE NOTE: I will only be critiquing the number of pages paid for.
If you send additional pages (or your entire script), please indicate which pages I should be reading. Otherwise I will begin reading on page 1.

Write the best pages you can BEFORE using my service.
Here are some highly recommended resources to help you develop your skills:

WordPlay - Frequented by seasoned veterans and new recruits alike, a repository of priceless knowledge from Terry Rossio & Ted Elliot, the writers of SHREK, ALADDIN, THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, and more.

Script Secrets - In the trenches stories and advice from 19 times produced screenwriter William C. Martell. If you read and internalize every entry in his vast archive of screenwriting knowledge, you will have the power!

Simply Scripts - In order to write scripts you must first learn to read scripts. Read them all - the good, the bad, the amazing.

WGA Script Registration - Wear protection - register your synopsis, your 1st draft, your 5th draft - any time you make major changes, any time you're about to send it out after revisions - hell, whenever you feel a bit paranoid. For $20 you're good to go.

Lock and Load: Choose your weapon, prepare for battle!

Final Draft: One of the two standards.

Movie Magic: The other standard.

celtx: Lots of production-related features, as well as script software and server. What I use.

TERMS
1) All material will remain confidential with me. You may share my notes regarding your script with anyone you please. I will not release your material or my notes regarding your material to anyone besides you. Or the IRS or CIA, should my cover be blown. Kidding.

2) You will probably disagree with some or all of my analysis. This is to be expected by both of us. Offering your work for critique is CRUCIAL for your growth and success as a writer. Short version - there are no refunds.

3) You are entitled to a limited email exchange following completion of my analysis. This is to be a reasonable conversation, covering points that require clarification, discussion of directions to take on rewrites, addressing of concerns and questions you may have. This phase of the analysis should not exceed two or three such exchanges, but may continue until I am satisfied that I have adequately met my consulting obligations. The termination of this phase will be determined solely by me.

4) I am not offering to find you an agent or representation, nor am I offering to send your script to potential buyers or producers, etc...

I will be happy to discuss production issues regarding use of locations, casting, effects, etc..., as they pertain to your script, but only as part of my consulting service.

Payment and use of this service binds us to mutual acceptance of the above terms.

ALWAYS register your work at each stage - e.g.,synopsis, 1st draft, final draft - with the Writer's Guild of America.

Your ideas and pages are potentially worth millions. Never forget this. Never stop pushing yourself to do better. Write every day. Read scripts, watch movies, follow the industry - this is the business you're in.

The moment you type "FADE IN" - you're a screenwriter.