|
Script Market News August 10, 2001 |
|
| The Newsletter from Break into Screenwriting: Script Marketing Advice | |
|
| Home | What's New? | 2002: Sept 25 | Sept 10 | August 25 | August 10 | June 25 | June 10 | May 25 | April 25 | April 10 | March 25 | March 10 | Feb 25 | Feb 10 | Jan 25 | Jan 10 | 2001: December | November | October | September | August | |
|
Table of Contents ------------------------------ Subscribe to Script Market News
|
|
|
In The Spotlight |
|
| Marisa D'Vari, author of SCRIPT MAGIC Marisa D'Vari has read thousands of screenplays in her 20 years working as a story analyst, consultant and executive. She has created a series of screenwriting seminars designed to turn off the critical responses of the conscious mind that block writers. In this interview, she shares her magical techniques with us. Lenore Wright: I'm an experienced screenwriter (nearly 20 years) and I thought I'd read every take on screenwriting. Your book captivated me. How did you end up in the script consulting business? Marisa D'Vari: Great question! Circumstances (i.e. career demands on spouse) took me to Boston where I decided to dedicate myself to spreading the concept of creativity through seminars, teleclasses, and books. LW: Tell me about the MAGIC. The many scripts I've written required blood, sweat and tears... how did I miss the magic? MD: A friend of mine, Mark Levy, wrote the book Accidental Genius: Revolutionize Your Thinking Through Private Writing and has a great concept that answers your question: try easy. When screenwriters tap into the power of their subconscious mind, the blood, sweat, and tears are gone. LW: Our readers write in all forms and genres so many of them will be interested in your publishing deal. How did Script Magic become a book? MD: I wanted to write a book to spread the magic to others. I bought How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen and it sold to Michael Wiese Productions within days. I knew enough from my literary life and Michael Larsen's book to check the competition, and offer a new twist on information. Bookstore shelves groan with the weight of screenwriting books, and I realized what was missing was a fresh approach. Structure inhibits creativity and only breeds frustration. My book Script Magic was created to put fun and creativity back into the mix for million dollar script sales. LW: One of your phrases really stayed with me -- it is not the hours you put into the project, it is the energy. Can you expand on that? MD: I think everyone reading this realizes the times they're in flow and everything is working. Usually, it happens when they least expect it, which is why in the Script Magic book and my seminars, I remind screenwriters to take their magic books and journals EVERYWHERE. I get inspired by articles, by conversations I overhear, even great stories in magazines. Then, I rush to the computer of if I'm not near it, my magic book and write, write, write! That's energy. Once that key moment has passed, it can not be recaptured. So everyone reading this, take a notebook everywhere! LW: Do these techniques continue to work as they become more familiar? Who or what still inspires you when you need a creative boost? MD: Dreams are a source of inspiration if you know how to use them. I'm a student of Carl Jung and believe dreams have definite magic. Dreams are a conduit between our everyday reality and the place we go when we transcend this reality. But beyond dreams, I get inspired reading articles in popular magazines and newspapers. I myself write for London's Financial Times (lifestyle issues) and receive lots of email from people telling me how inspired they were from reading my colorful takes on people, places, and trends. LW: What recent movies do you feel reflect the spirit and benefit of Script Magic (whether or not the writer was aware of it). Do some writers just naturally tap into their unconscious, non-judgmental self when they write? MD: Two very loaded questions! But rather than defer to one single movie, I'd say that it happens in every movie when the viewer feels a keen association with the character and the challenge they face. Let's go way back to a film like Pretty Woman (a film I break down in Script Magic). I used to be surprised when archetypes and age- old philosophy found themselves on the page or on the screen. But now I realize they were subconsciously and instinctively following the philosophy of Script Magic by allowing themselves to be guided by higher forces. I'm not all that familiar with the Bible and the story of Jesus and the prostitute Mary, but wasn't it all about redemption? And isn't it the case in Pretty Woman? I'm not saying the screenwriter sat down with an idea to remake this story for the big screen, but it's a universal message that echoes within us all. I'll conclude with a word of encouragement to screenwriters. Don't set out to tell a message or make a killing with a high concept script. Rather, follow the principles in Script Magic and allow yourself and your talents to be used as a conduit by whatever message needs to be told, messages that only you because of your experiences can tell. Good luck! LW: Thanks for your time, Marisa. Good luck with all your projects. Marisa's book is available from Michael Wiese Productions at http://mwp.com or by calling 800-833-5738. To read an excerpt of Script Magic or check out Marisa's seminar schedule, visit her website: http://scriptmagic.com/
For a review of Marisa's book log onto the new book review page of |
|
|
Feature Article |
|
| Use the Web to Target your Script Submissions by Lenore Wright Screenwriters can use the Hollywood insider information available on the Web to target their script submissions. Here's how: 1. Gather the dish on script sales. You can find out (instantly!) what scripts have sold, who sold them and who bought them. Log onto: http://Hollywoodlitsales.com or http://Scriptsales.com (Click on the section titled Done Deal.) These sites provide an overview of the scripts currently in development and which stars and producers have studio deals. Agents use this insider information to target their script submissions and so can you. You might even do a better job of targeting because you know your material better than any agent ever will. 2. Target the production companies of film stars. It is never easy to get your script read by a popular movie star, but your script sales research will increase your chances. Only target stars who are appropriate for your material and who have a production company of their own. To find the contact information for the production company of a star, look them up in one of the online talent databases. The three I like best are: http://Celebhoo.com, http://WhoRepresents.com and the Stars and Agents page listed under Cool Pages on http://filmpartners.com/. Once you know the contact info, write a sharp, enticing query letter or call the office if you have a short dynamic pitch. Do not expect the star to answer your call personally (duh!) but you might convince the secretary or assistant who answers to take a look at your script. If the script impresses them, they will pass it on up the food chain. That is part of their job. The agent who represents the star will also be listed in the talent database; but talent agents will favor the scripts of writers within their agency over your script so go directly to the production company of the star. 3. Identify the right producer for your project. Use the research sites listed above to figure out which independent producers have current deals. Once you know what scripts they have bought in the past, their successful produced credits and which stars they have already worked with, you can customize your query pitch specifically for them. For a great list of active independent producers log onto the website of Tracy Keenan Wynn, http://rx4scripts.com/. Http://filmstew.com/ and http://IndustryCentral.net/ also offer very complete databases for film professionals; but Tracy’s list is more accessible. He is an award-winning screenwriter with decades of Hollywood experience, and also a respected script coach if you need professional feedback before marketing your script. 4. Check the credentials of film professionals BEFORE sending them your screenplay. Research the credentials of any producer you intend to pursue. The best place I’ve found for investigating discreetly is the Internet Movie database, http://imdb.com/. The movie credit listings are complete down to the last Key Grip. So if a producer tries to convince you he produced Speilberg’s latest hit and his name is not mentioned in the credits, then move on. When a producer or star commits to your script, they will spend a year or two, probably more, trying to get the script set up and the movie made. That is a big commitment. Before they will agree to read that great script you’ve written, you have to convince them it will be worth it. The power of the Web can give you the insider edge you need. |
|
|
Market Tips |
|
| Producers Lab for Screenwriters! The Independent Features Project (http://ifp.org) is a terrific group dedicated to the education and promotion of emerging filmmakers and screenwriters. Their Los Angeles branch (IFP/West) has launched their first Independent Producers Lab. They are now accepting submissions from writers. This intensive seven-week program, based in Los Angeles, is designed to help filmmakers develop skills as creative independent producers. A maximum of ten people will be accepted into the program which runs during October and November 2001. The submission deadline is September 7th. Other program details and submissions guidelines are available on their website: http://ifp.org/. ---------------------- WHAT'S NEW ---------------------- --> All the Write Moves Take time to check out the new Screen/playwriting section of http://allthewritemoves.com/. You'll find articles, interviews and book reviews of interest to playwrights and screenwriters. --> Breaking In I have added some exciting new items to Breakingin.net:
--> Coming Soon! ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- BACK ISSUES of Script Market News --------------------------------------------------------
| HOME | What's New | Newsletter | Tutorials | Interviews |Hot Writing Jobs | Screenwriters Web | Articles | Contact Us | Script Software | FAQ: Dream Jobs | Script Brokers | Script Checklist | Genre? | EditorResume | Contest Tips | Script Marketing | Script Format | Agents? | Site Map | Copyright © 2001-2002 by Lenore Wright Reproduction of by-lined articles printed on this website requires expressed permission from the author.
|
|
