Screenediting.com
FAQs
Why do you want to see my screenplay first?
It's so I can decide if I will be able to do a good job or not. If I think your screenplay cannot be improved or it is so bad it doesn't justify your money being spent on it, I'll tell you. I may advise you that it will possibly need several drafts to get it into shape and then you decide if it's worth proceeding.
Once you have my screenplay, what do you do with it?
If we go ahead and work on it, I keep it on file for future reference. If not, it is deleted. The last thing I need is heaps of screenplays littering my computer.
How do I know you won't steal my idea or sell it to someone else?
Well, for a start, I want to stay in business as a screenplay consultant, editor and writer. I can't think of a better way to get blacklisted than to do a bit of plagiarism. But, more importantly, your work is yours and you should always register your drafts before you send them out, mainly for your own peace of mind. If I think your idea is great, I'll tell you and give you a lot of encouragement to go and get rich from it. If I think your idea is bad, I'll tell you that, too.
Your fees seem high. I mean USD350 is a lot just to get a screenplay analysis. How come?
Sure, I know you can get a simple analysis for less and maybe that's what you need. I am not just analyzing your screenplay, I am putting in comments and suggestions where they matter. I do have regular clients who are very happy to pay me a lot more. Check my example and see what you get. For a start, to do it my way, I have to read the screenplay 3 times. First, to get a general understanding of it. Second, to start making notes and the third time to edit my comments. I don't believe anyone can take in a screenplay fully on just one read. This is my style. At 2 hours typically just to read a screenplay, properly-paced, this is six hours without all my typing input. Add my editing/comments time to it and you get 10 hours. I think it's a fair price. Plus you get the free email questions you can ask, afterwards.
Why don't you have a web-based system where I just send you my screenplay, pay up front and wait?
Because you might do a lot of waiting. I ask you to email me first so I can tell you how busy I am. I will not take on a job unless I can give you a turnaround in approximately one week. I know how important it is to get feedback quickly and I don't like to keep people waiting.
What file format do you want?
I prefer FinalDraft as I am familiar with it and it allows for the easily embedded comments which is the way I do my critique. Nevertheless you can save files in RTF or Microsoft Word format and I will send embedded comments back that way too or as a PDF file if you prefer. The example is in PDF format, which I can generate from FDR, RTF or DOC formats. You have plenty of choices.
Can you help me find a producer?
No. I am a writer and editor. I look at screenplays from the dramatic and structural viewpoint. I do not necessarily look at them in the same way as a producer does, particularly as to what genre is selling at the moment, so please take note of that. Nevertheless, having worked on crews as well as having my own work produced, I have a very good idea of what producers want and also some idea of budget. Having said all that, if I happen to come across another "Se7en," I'd probably find the money and produce it myself.
Why don't you edit television scripts or special-effects features?
I have never worked in TV so I don't feel qualified to do it. Writing styles for TV and the cinema are different. As for special effects-driven features, I don't regard it as a screenwriter's domain. I know they have scripts, but I think the effects come after the story, and before the script.
Can I email you and just ask questions first?
Of course. I'd welcome your questions. Email me.
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