Consulting Services

Our Consulting Services

One way to fundamentally improve your script is by hiring a script consultant. The Script Writers Haven provides writers with A-level coverage services and the potential to have their work distributed to various industry professionals.

In analyzing screenplays, we often use dramaturgy, mythology and psychology to assist writers in improving their scripts. Our approach is tailored to your learning style and material.

The Script Writers Haven views coverage as a limited tool. It’s a litmus test -good or bad. What Script Writers Haven does is dig into your script, pull its heart out and discuss it with you. And together we figure out how to fix its problems. Many of our professional script consultants have backgrounds as development executives, writers, and editors. This background experience allows us to approach your script from many different angles.

Upon completion of thorough coverage services -and if we feel that you are ready for multimedia global representation within the film and television arenas- the Script Writers Haven will submit Members material to industry professionals that we have affiliations with (ABC Entertainment, HBO Films, Lions Gate Entertainment, Miramax, New Line, Paramount, Regency Television, Sobini Films, The Mark Gordon Company, Touchstone Television, CW, Warner Brothers). There is no charge for this service. It is our vision that all of the Script Writers Haven members have the opportunity for success in this industry.

The Script Writers Haven understands how difficult it may be for a writer to choose a script consultant. Our consultants know how to help you fix your script.

As dramaturges, we will ask these types of questions about your climax scene:

Does it contain the purest form of the one dilemma your main character has been struggling with?
Does it succinctly express the theme?
Is there an adequate setup earlier in the movie—with taglines, dialogue, subplots, foreshadowing—which will clarify the thematic intention of the climax?
Does the resolution waste any time and is it consistent with your thematic intent?
Does the end of the second act unify the character’s need and goal into the climax’s one concise action?
Is it clear that the main character could not have made the climactic choice at an earlier point in the movie?

As consultants, we know directors and producers will ask these types of questions:

Is there enough in this scene to get a good actor to want to play it?
Is there enough in this scene to get a star out of his trailer?
If an actor asks me “what am I fighting for” in this scene, do I have an answer?
Is the level of conflict in this scene any different from the last scene?
I won’t shoot a scene which only contains exposition, so is there enough conflict to bother with this scene?
Is a character saying what he means? Will this dialogue play?
Is there plenty for my DP, Locations people and Set Designer to do?

As an editor we will ask the following questions:

Does the scene end differently from where it starts?
Given that different parts of the film require distinct pacing, does each scene begin at the last possible point such that it still works?
Did you end the scene at the earliest possible opportunity?
Can you create suspense or mystery by simply excising—or adding—one key piece of information in a scene?
Did you miss the opportunity for a meaningful transition?
Would we miss anything if I cut out all those lines of exposition?
Can I lose that subplot? Or what does that subplot need to be indispensable?

Although we may never ask you one of these questions explicitly, we will address all of them and thousands more. When we find an ongoing answer to one of these questions, we will give you ways to fix it. We discuss your intentions, how they may have been unsuccessful, how to achieve them, and/or how to amend them. You will know what the problem is and we will offer examples of how to solve it.

If your script needs work and you want a highly trained professional to help you improve it, you can afford a script consultant for about the amount a lawyer would charge you to submit your script to a couple of production companies.

Description of Services

Script Consulting

Our comprehensive analysis of your script will provide you with enough feedback for you to rewrite your script. You will receive thorough notes on structure, character, story, pace, subplots, theme, dialogue, marketability and even your prose. If the writing is awkward, we will edit a page or two to suggest a more efficient and readable prose style. There will be several notes on individual pages. Our analysis is designed to give you a detailed vision of what the script needs on the next rewrite. We will offer solutions for most problems that we point out. The comprehensive analysis will simply point out the areas where production companies or studios might find fault in your script. This is your litmus test. The comprehensive analysis usually includes up to 10 pages of notes, questions and suggestions.

Treatment Analysis

We will analyze your treatment (double-spaced, no more than ten pages) for a feature length screenplay and/or teleplay. This service usually includes up to 5 pages of notes, questions and suggestions.

*For screenplays that are in excess of 120 pages in length, add $3 per page.

Multiple submissions are accepted.

Consulting Service	Turnaround Time
Full-Length Feature	7 Days
Short-Length Feature	7 Days
One-Hour Teleplay	5 Days
Half-Hour Teleplay	5 Days
Writing Treatment	2 Days

All clients will be notified via email once consulting services have been completed. Please note the turnaround time for all consulting services. Complete analysis of all services will be forwarded via email.

Submission Policies

NOTE: Due to the amount of screenplays received on a daily basis, this service is only offered electronically due to the amount of paper that is involved.

Consulting Services Form

PURCHASE SCRIPT WRITERS HAVEN CONSULTING SERVICES

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Home Telephone*
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Please select the type of consulting service you would like us to provide below:

Fees*	Full-Length Feature - $450 (USD)
	Short-Length Feature - $400 (USD)
	One-Hour Teleplay - $350 (USD)
	Half-Hour Teleplay - $300 (USD)
	Writing Treatment - $200 (USD)

Attach Material*

I have supplied truthful and accurate information in the application form above.

The material that I have submitted is mine. I have exclusive rights to the material and the material is original to me.

I understand that the copy of the screenplay I have submitted will not be returned to me, and that I have retained a copy for my own uses.

I understand and agree that the burden of securing copyright or WGA registration for my screenplay lies entirely with me. Script Writers Haven recommends that screenplays be registered with the WGA (323-782-4500).

I have read and understand the rules and intentions of the Script Writers Haven. I understand that all consulting fees are non-refundable and that all submissions for consulting services are final.

I agree to hold Script Writers Haven harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims or third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any screenplays, plots, characters or ideas submitted to the Script Writers Haven or on any screenplay, film or material developed out of those screenplays, plots, characters or ideas.

Release Form

As sole owner and author of the submitted screenplay, I fully attest that the following is true and correct:

I have read, understand and agree fully with the official terms and conditions of the Script Writers Haven and hereby request that you read and evaluate my submitted screenplay.

I warrant that I am the author of the submitted screenplay and that I have the full and exclusive rights to submit the screenplay to the Script Writers Haven. I further understand that submissions with multiple authors must include each author's signature on this agreement and that if more than one party signs this agreement, the reference "I" throughout the agreement shall apply to each party, jointly and severally.

Multiple submissions are accepted, but a separate Application Form must accompany each submission along with a Release Form and the appropriate consulting fee.

Fees - Full-Length Feature ($450 USD), Short-Length Feature ($400 USD), One-Hour Teleplay ($350 USD), Half-Hour Teleplay ($300 USD), and Writing Treatment ($200 USD). Consulting fees are non-refundable.

I warrant that the submitted screenplay is not currently under option and/or has not been purchased by any third party.

I acknowledge and understand that neither Script Writers Haven nor any of its officers, employees or representatives will seek employment for me, nor is the Script Writers Haven serving as my agent, manager or representative.

I warrant that the submitted screenplay does not invade or defame the rights of any person, living or dead.

I have retained at least two copies of the submitted screenplay, and I hereby release the Script Writers Haven from any and all liability for loss of, or damage to, the copy of said material submitted hereunder.

I understand the Script Writers Haven accepts no liability whatsoever for loss or non-receipt of my screenplay or for the unauthorized use of all or part of my screenplay by any person.

I hereby indemnify the Script Writers Haven, its officers, employees, representatives, readers, judges, sponsors, and affiliates from and defend them against any and all claims, demands, costs, damages, judgments, expenses losses or liabilities arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, whether or not groundless, that may arise in connection with this screenplay submission.

I understand that any disputes shall be submitted to arbitration in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The arbitrator’s decision shall be controlled by the terms and conditions of this agreement and shall be final and binding, and shall provide for each party to bear his or its own costs of arbitration and attorneys’ fees.

Notice for Colorado and Vermont Users: Colorado and Vermont state law prevents residents of those states from participating in any contest that requires a fee to enter. Notice for California Users: Under California Civil Section 1789.3, California users are entitled to the following specific consumer rights notice: The Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs may be contacted in writing at 400 R Street, Suite 1080, Sacramento, California 95814, or by telephone at (916) 445-1254 or (800) 952-5210.

*I have completely read and agree to the submission policy stated above regarding Script Writers Haven.

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Question?

Do screenwriters really control the industry?