CONSULTING AUTHORS/TEACHERS
Whether it's your first or your tenth feature, filmmaking is an enormously complex process and we all need as much help as we can get.
From script and story development, through financing, production and post production, these professionals can assist you develop your project and make it great. By helping you avoid pitfalls, enhance your production value, and help you make contacts, they can save you thousands of dollars and months of time.
If you've read their books, you know what great advice they can offer. Now you have the opportunity to harness these great minds and focus them on your own project. Call or write them now and learn how they can help you achieve your goals.
| Consultant | Their Book | Reviews | Services | Rates |
| SCRIPT CONSULTING | ||||
Tom Lazarus |
The Last Word: Definitive Answers to All Your Screenwriting Questions Tom Lazarus has directed five feature films, written more than 100 hours of television programming, and has had nine feature films made from his screenplays. He has taught screenwriting at various universities, and is presently teaching the Master Class in Screenwriting and the online Screenwriting Mentorship Program at UCLA Extension, Writers Program. |
“If you’re sitting down to write your first screenplay, you need
to read this book. If you’ve written a couple of screenplays and
are still trying to break in, you need to read this book. Hell,
if you’ve been earning your living writing screenplays for the past
six years, you should read this book.” “A stellar read. Recommended for every screenwriter’s bookshelf.” |
Script Consultation | Script Consultation is $500. Previous Consultation and past students $400. Script Consultation: Reading a complete script. Supplying the writer with line-by-line, page-by-page notes. Supplying overall notes. Working with the writer on re-configuring script for rewrite. On-line or telephone conferencing. Treatment Consultation - $250. Supplying complete set of notes and on-line or telephone conferencing. Customer Consultation - Designed particularly for the specific needs of the screenwriter. Price Negotiated. |
| STORY STRUCTURE | ||||
Stanley D. Williams, PhD. |
The Moral Premise: Harnessing Virtue & Vice for Box Office Success
|
“The Moral Premise is the most powerful took in my new tool
box.” “The Moral Premise dares to suggest that movies might actually
mean something.” “Should be required reading, retroactively, for every working
Hollywood screenwriter.” |
Story Structure Consulting (any medium); Log Lines, Premises, Value Conflicts, Character Arcs, Turning Points; Workshops, Private or Group; Live, Phone, Email, Skype, Hourly, Daily, Project | $150 per hour with various packages available at MoralPremise.com. |
| SCRIPT CONSULTING | ||||
Jennifer Van Sijll |
Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Writer Must Know
|
"A powerful and evocative guide for screenwriters and filmmakers alike." Frank Beddor, producer, There's Something About Mary. "Here is a uniquely fresh, accessible, and truly original contribution to the field." Prof. Richard Walter |
Script consulting. | $750 per script. |
| SOUND DESIGN | ||||
David Sonnenschein |
Sound
Design: |
"I consider Sonnenschein's book the closest thing to a "bible" for our work as sound designers and composers, as it knits together the artistic and technical roles of music and sound in storytelling on the screen." Brad Stokes, Amazon.com reviewer- 5 stars |
Information on sound design for film, TV, and interactive media: sound recording, editing, mixing: seminars, classes | $500 for two hour session. Per project rates are also available. |
| DISTRIBUTION & MARKETING | ||||
Mark Steven Bosko |
|
"Get this book if you have a finished film you want to sell! It's packed-full with incredible ideas, gimmicks and ploys to get little films out there and noticed. I wish we had this when we were doing BLAIR WITCH." Eduardo Sanchez, Co-Writer, Co-Director, Co-Editor of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT |
Consulting on distribution, marketing, promotion and other strategies in finding sales, publicity and audiences. The seminar describes movie distribution for both traditional and alternative channels. |
Individual Project Consultation: $250/ $75 hour.
Independent Film Distribution Seminar $225 per person. Discounted group rates available. |
| STORY & SCRIPT | ||||
Stuart Voytilla
|
|
"I can't recommend Stuart enough as an egoless and excellent guide. He has the ability to find the pulse of your story, and help you write it so there's no doubt the audience will hear the story's true heartbeat." | Story and script consulting including Feature Film, Television,
Shorts.
Consultation on synopses, bibles and treaments also available. (e-mail for pricing) |
$800 for feature script consultation. Includes scriptanalysis, consultation during rewrite process, and analysis of first rewrite. |
| SCRIPT & SCRIPT FORMAT | ||||
Christopher Riley |
The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style |
"He constantly made me dig deeper into the characters and
go for the emotional truth. Thanks to his input, I now have a fellowship at Disney and a script that gets managers and agents to call me." Amy Snow, Winner, 2004 Disney Fellowship |
Professional script consulting.
Also consults with developers of script formatting software. |
Feature screenplay consultations start at $550. |
| SCRIPTS — FANTASY GENRE | ||||
Sable Jak |
Writing the Fantasy Film: Heroes and Journeys in Alternate Realities |
"Sable Jak deconstructs the fantasy genre and examines it on every level, from characters and quests to magic and mystery. No writer preparing to embark upon the epic journey of writing a fantasy script should start without this literary talisman." Shelly Mellott, Editor Scr(i)pt Magazine | Analysis on Fantasy scripts only | $750 per script |
| ALL STORY RELATED PROJECTS | ||||
James Bonnet |
Stealing Fire from the Gods: A Complete Guide to Story for Writers and Filmmakers |
"James Bonnet’s tools will jump-start and intrigue you. Your connection to your craft will deepen, and your horizons will expand." Raymond Singer, screenwriter Disney's Mulan. “Stealing Fire is a book that needs to be read and reread and a seminar of great value to all writers.” Gene Hines, Original Writer, Producer, Cliffhanger |
Consulting and writing services on all story related projects – screenplays, novels, plays, television | Complete screenplay evaluation and consultation: first draft, revision process and second draft. $1000.00 |
| COSTUMES | ||||
Richard LaMotte |
Costume Design 101: How to Design Costume For Film and Television |
Specializes in period costumes, ethnic costumes, military uniforms, breakdowns and budgets, sourcing/purchase, sample fabrication, contract construction, custom painting and agin, costume sketches, storyboards | Research, Consulting, Art Work, Technical Advice Extensive on-hand 2000+ image library plus professional outside resources |
$50 hour + $2.50 per image, 2 hour minimum. Weekly rates negotiable. |
| SCRIPT & DIRECTING | ||||
Mark Travis |
Directing Feature Films: The Creative Collaboration Between Directors, Writers and Actors and The Film Director's Bag of Tricks: Get What You Want from Writers and Actors
|
"With astonishing clarity, Mark Travis articulates the
techniques and skills of film directing." "Mark Travis is the only practical teacher of directing
I've ever met—and simply the best. I learned more from him than
I did in four years of film school!" |
Script Consulting done in person or via phone or Skype. Directing Consulting: includes Script Analysis and Breakdown for the Director, Prep for Casting, The Casting Process, The Rehearsal Process (using The Travis Technique), Staging, Preparation for Production, Production and Post Production. Seminars and Workshops on Film Directing Speaking Engagements on all aspects of Filmmaking |
$750 Initial Script Consultation $150 per hour for private hourly consultation $2,000 per day for Seminars, Workshops, Lectures |
| DIRECTING CAMERA | ||||
Gil Bettman |
|
"Gil Bettman offers a well constructed concept of his lecturing. The conclusion is that he owns an outstanding didactical gift.... By the students and my own experiences with Gil Bettman I feel no doubt to see him as a real enrichment for any film school." Hark Bohm, Dean of Film Studies at the Hamburg (Germany) Media School |
How to move your camera like Spielberg, Zemeckis or other top name directors. A 3 day intensive lecture course, or a 5 day lecture course, or a 10 day workshop. |
All three cost the same price: $5000. |
| SCRIPT/FILM EDITING | ||||
Richard D. Pepperman |
|
“Richard 's invaluable advice and guidance on my film has
helped to transform my documentary into a moving and powerful film.
It has been a rich and rewarding experience to have worked with Richard.” Ian Ross, Director of Fading Light |
Script consulting for editing and pacing, film and video editing consulting | $300 per hour |
| BUDGETING & PRODUCTION | ||||
Deke Simon |
|
"There are few things more important to the success of your
movie than the solid foundation that a good budget brings. Film and
Video Budgets is the best (and most entertaining) resource I've come
across." Scott Billups, DP/VFX supervisor and author of Digital Moviemaking, 2nd Edition. |
• Consulting for fiction and all forms of non-fiction films & videos (documentary, industrial, public relations etc.). • On-going coaching for your project (pre-production through post). Use me as a resource for information and to help you achieve the result you want. You choose the number of sessions. |
• Free 15 minute introductory consultation. • One-time or on-going coaching $100/ per half-hour session |
| SCRIPT CONSULTING | ||||
Christopher Kenworthy |
Master Shots: 100 Advanced Camera Techniques to Get an Expensive Look on Your Low-Budget Movie |
"THIS BOOK SHOULD BE BANNED! These are the really cool tricks
and yechniques of shooting that professional directors keep secret
just for themselves to use. Why should they be given away for a few
dollars?" John Badham, Director of Saturday Night Fever and WarGames |
• Script Consulting, with an emphasis on making your story something that will appeal to directors, actors, producers and financiers. |
• $900 Initial Script Consultation |
| SCRIPT CONSULTING | ||||
Jeffrey Hirschberg www.ThreeAct.com |
Reflections of the Shadow: Creating Memorable Heroes and Villains For Film and TV |
"Fresh and powerful. You will look at the fascinating
mystery that is the good guy/bad guy divide in all new ways, and
get clues to clarify and enhance this dynamic in your story, thanks
to Jeff’s book." "Create great characters and viewers will follow your story
anywhere! This insider's guide shows exactly how to do that, using
current examples, numerous excerpts, and advice from top screenwriters.
A must read!" |
• Idea consulting |
• Several packages available on www.ThreeAct.com or $125 per hour. |
| PRESENTATIONS / PRODUCING | ||||
Michael Wiese |
The
Independent Film
|
"After working with Michael for 30 minutes, I pitched and
raised $20,000 for my first short." Seminar attendee
"...if you follow the guidelines here, you'll wield a finely-honed financial weapon rather than a blunt instrument when you meet with bankers, lawyers and completion bond companies. This book lowers your stress level by altering your perception of the budgeting process." DGA (Director's Guild of America) Magazine |
Wiese is only available a few times a year for seminars, workshops or consulting on producing, directing, pitching, distribution and marketing or career objectives. | Fees: flexible, please inquire, kenlee@mwp.com. |
