I'm an industry professional.
I've been a studio
development executive
(20th Century Fox
and Universal); Film Producer ("The Rutles"),
Executive producer
(both Network and
Syndication), and
a writer (screenplays
and TV shows).
I'm a member of the Writer's
Guild of America (West). I've even been an agent (click
here for full bio) or
Google
me - There's
loads of info!
I left Hollywood
several years ago
and moved back
east. I've taught screenwriting at several area colleges (also
weekend workshops)
and I actively consult with Hollywood professionals
on material. I
receive screenplays (lots of spec ones),
TV pilots and episodes,
treatments and plays from all over the world. Some of my material
comes via
my ongoing association
with a national
talent/literary agency. My job is to find ways to improve their
clients' material.
I'm very aware
that your script has to catch the elusive interest of an agent
or producer whose kneejerk reaction to almost everything is "NO." Thus
I scrutinize every inch of your material. (During the consultation
period, it becomes the center of my professional attention).
Once completely absorbed, we'll talk and I'll give you my overview.
Bottom line-- does the story work or not? (If not, it's got
to be fixed. The story is the framework that supports everything)!
Are there nice surprises in the script? (Audiences love and
expect to be surprised). If not, how can these unexpected twists
and turns be strengthened or created? Are the characters rich
and effective and do they "track?" Is there a sense of theme? (ie: is it about something?) Do your subplots work? Does the script suffer from clutter, bulk or "misunderstoods?"
Besides the "macro" issues, I also provide careful "page
notes," details,
nuances. I cover everything, the works! And I make specific
suggestions on
how to fix and improve things.
I consult on lots
of pro scripts. The ones that make it have a common denominator--the
scripts are tight, no fat, they make sense, you get it. When
the reader starts saying to him/herself, "I don't understand this" or "Where did that come from"--guess
who gets the blame. You'd be surprised how many scripts get
tossed aside because of unnecessary oversights and errors.
Please know that the analysis I give is not some academic diatribe designed to overwhelm and confuse you. It's deeply practical. It's bottom-line. You will hear it loud and clear. And I don't dictate, I consult. Finally, I work with scripts that are fully completed, almost done and everything in between.
I charge a fair and
reasonable fee of $227.50 (130 pages or less, 12 point
font and normal pagination)
and I work rather
fast. And I tell
the truth...gently.
Send me your script,
a signed release
(click
here for the release or
call us and we'll
send you one by
email) and a check
payable to: Hollywoodscript.com
LLC by mail (suggest
Priority Mail,
Flat Rate Envelope
- it's $4.60),
to Craig Kellem
100 Christopher
Columbus Dr. apt
2107, Jersey City,
NJ 07302.
If you want to pay
by credit card,
please click the
PayPal button right
below, but be sure
to add $6 ($8 outside
U.S.) PER SCRIPT
as they charge
for this service.
Thus a typical
script would
cost a total
of $238.10 which
includes $227.50
for the consultation,
$4.60 for postage
to return your
marked up script
after the phone
consultation and
$6.00 for the cost
of PayPal IF YOU
USE IT.
Scripts
can also
be sent electronically
(PDF or Final
Draft preferred,
but try whatever
you have). Releases
can be signed scanned and emailed,
mailed or faxed
(daytime only
201-333-8364).
Well can set up a
time (in advance)
for our telephone
conference or
just mail me
the script and
Ill contact
you with a proposed
date. (By the
time I receive
the script, the
wait is only
about two weeks
or so. If you
contact me before you
send the script
(or even while
you're finishing
it) and set an
appointment in
advance, the
wait can even
be less.) At
the agreed upon
time, please
call me at 201-333-8932
or 201-333-8364.
Services include
exhaustive and
copious notes reviewed in
an unhurried phone
consultation for
the big/macro issues)
AND your script
will be returned to you
with clear written
notations in the
margins (which
includes references pertaining
to the bigger issues)
(SASE please or
$4.60 postage. If it's
going to Europe
and other parts of
the world, postage
is $11. Mexico & Canada is $9.)
Some writers are
shy about the phone
and prefer to receive
ALL notes in writing.
Although a personal
interaction is
almost always a superior method, if you want notes in writing
instead
of the phone conference,
thats
fine--I can put them
all on the script
and return it to
you (SASE or $4.60
postage. If it's
going to Europe and
other parts of
the world, postage
is $11. Mexico
& Canada is $9.).
After a conference,
youre always welcome to call (within reason) with follow up questions (call fast while my memorys
fertile) at no charge.
If you want me to
read and analyze
your revision, I'll do it for $207.50 (if
you send it to me
within a reasonable
period after the
initial notes).
Student discounts are available.
As corny as it
may sound, I love writers and feel a deep responsibility towards
those who find the courage to transpose their burning ideas
into something "alive" and tangible. I make a joyful
living carefully examining your precious work and, even more
carefully, doling out expert (and usually badly needed) feedback.
Most of my clients are really happy with my work. (They almost
always send me their revisions and subsequent scripts).
Most writers with a new project are pumped. They're convinced that their script is ready to be grabbed up. It rarely is-they often need critical work. It's hard (for many writers) to see this themselves. Honest, professional feedback without risk is usually a very wise move. Why go through the (usually) agonizing process of writing a script, finally get someone important to read it and not have it right? Please take my advice and treat yourself to this valuable help. It will not only enhance your current project but it will also provide important insights for future projects.
As far as MARKETING
help is concerned, were quite knowledgeable and offer
advice and guidance in this area (we received an A rating from Creative Screenwriting Magazine in this regard). We also provide free help with your query letter. Additionally, we have a FREE MONTHLY contest for clients which is going like gangbusters.
Regarding our Contest,
we announce the
winner with shameless prominence
on the MAIN page
of our web site
(note: winners will be notified
by the seventh
of the given month).
In addition to
this splashy announcement,
the winner will
be invited to POST their
log lines, link
and even a scene or two (if they so choose)
from their winning
work. As part of
the big announcement,
if you provide
the basic summary of
your story, well add
our obviously GLOWING
REVIEW of your project
and convert the whole
thing into professional COVERAGE (FOR
FREE) which can be
used for submission
purposes and, if
the writer chooses,
well
also POST THE COVERAGE
on our site. Finally,
we will provide
AMAZING INDUSTRY EXPOSURE
for the script
in the following ways:
With winner's permission, we will notify a select group of several hundred producers, agents, managers etc. who have expressed interest in examining new material. We'll forward the glowing coverage of the script for their review along with contact info re the writer.
ADDITIONALLY, winning contestants will receive from InkTip.com:
1) An e-mail announcement about winning screenplay to about 6,500 industry professionals.
2) Placement of at least logline, synopsis, and resume on their password protected web site. Writers may also place the treatment and/or script.
3) Include a logline (pitch) for winning screenplay in their printed publication, Players Marketplace, which is snail-mailed to about 5,000 Industry Professionals. http://www.inktip.com
We've also made an
arrangement with
a hot, young company
called SCRIPTBLASTER
(http://www.scriptblaster.com).
Among offering other
important services,
SCRIPTBLASTER has
an incredibly vast
database of producers,
agents, managers
and the like. Winners
will receive their
BLASTER PACKAGE (Which
reaches over 1000
producers and agents).
This means that your
FREE SCRIPT COVERAGE
will be zapped via
email directly
into the hands
of these viable
Hollywood bigwigs.
A unique feature
is that the emails
will be generated from your own personal
email so industry
professionals will
respond directly
to you.
One other thing, since there are only two of us here, your chance of seriously contending is increased since we only have a small pool of material from which to choose. (click here for more information).
Note: When writing
to me please
use the word
"writing" or
"script" in
the subject
line "of your
email" so that
I don't miss
it as I get
a lot of spam.
Thanks!
Outline for one of the college courses that Craig teaches on screenwriting.
Craig's recommended reading list for screenwriters.
Click here to read some examples of my notes on other projects.