Development Notes

Description

THE PITCH:

Behind every story is a story of passion.

What was your initial inspiration? Why must your story be told, and why must it be told now? What is it about your story that you think will speak to audiences and connect with them -- and reward them for their time?

At ScriptLaunch, we'll help you articulate and re-connect with the elements of your story that you're most passionate about. We'll also discuss your goals with you, so we can make sure our advice and development is in the context of the story that you'd most like to write -- and the career you'd most like to have.

We'll also focus on what's most unique about your project, helping you make sure that your screenplay or treatment is the best, most compelling and engaging version of itself that it can be -- and has the best chances of being heard in a crowded, ever-shrinking marketplace.

THE PROCESS:

Development Notes begin with an optional 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your goals and where you're at with your project. We'll then read your treatment or screenplay and write up your notes. Notes are usually 4-6 pages of comments for screenplays and 2-3 pages for treatments. An optional 30-minute phone follow-up is available. For phone notes without written notes, please view the coaching section of StoryLink's services.

Working together, we'll:

-- Discuss your concept and log-line, and make sure that you can articulate your concept and log-line before going further with revisions.

-- Explore all the elements of your script, from storyline, structure, character and dialogue to theme, tone, visuals and market. We'll also discuss things like set pieces and overall "wow" factor. Even small, indie-spirited projects need to wow audiences in their own way. Despite appearances to the contrary, originality is a vital asset that will greatly help your project make its way through the industry.

-- Focus on what's unique about your project, and the elements you're most passionate about. We'll also look at how your project works with genre and audience expectations.

-- Talk about the audience for your film, and general marketing. These days, it's becoming more and more important for you to define your audience and figure out smart ways to connect with them. Writers and filmmakers that can do this are in the best position to help get their work financed and produced.

-- Discuss and work on any other aspects of the craft that are relevant.

THE BACKSTORY:

Matthew Ballen is the Creative Director for ScriptLaunch, a boutique screenplay analysis and development firm based in New York City.

Our past consulting projects have placed in the top 10 of the Slamdance Screenplay Competition, and have been optioned by A Band Apart (Quentin Tarantino's company), and Weidemann and Berg (the Academy-Award winning producers of 'The Lives of Others'). We've also had two of our consulting projects optioned through Inktip within the past year.

When not consulting, Matthew is a screenwriter himself. He's currently writing a script for international film director Simon Verhoeven, who's recent film 'Mannerherzen' premiered #1 in the box offices of Germany and Austria and stars Til Schweiger from 'Inglourious Basterds'. Matthew has also had a television a show in development with The Independent Film Channel, and his short-form work has been featured on the home pages of FunnyOrDie.com, Nerve.com, TheApiary.Org and Vimeo.com.