Screenwriting : Advice! by Gabriella Dennany

Have you entered the contests that offer feedback? I always try to submit to the ones that offer free feedback. It's also sometimes worth it to pay for coverage or seek out a script consultant if you can afford to go that route. Just make sure you vet them and make sure they are reputable. Screencraft has one that's $100 and I've found it to be very worthwhile.

I'd submit to contests that give feedback, even for a fee. There may be something you have missed. Perhaps your script isn't contest material (I haven't read it, so I don't have an opinion). If it is your first script it may not be good. This seems like a hard comment I know. But when I was given the same advice after my first script I though the person was a complete dick, they hadn't read my work. But our first scripts are like the first time you ride a bike, you move along and steer, but you're not really a cyclist. Write more see how they go.

Keep on writing on! Post your logline. Lets check it out gabby!

If you haven't received script notes before, then I would suggest Screenplay Readers.

https://screenplayreaders.com/script-coverage-services/

For nearly the same price as Screencraft, you will receive a lot more feedback. Not to mention they seem to have discounts at least every other month.

I can also give you the email of the reader I've used for the last 10+ plus years.

If you haven't, try submitting to genre specific contests. Screencraft is great for that.

My personal thoughts on script note prices is that if you can get about 3 pages for 100 bucks then it's a pretty decent deal. - Chris

Only a great screenplay can win a contest but a good one can make a great movie. Try to get your script in the hands of producers and even if you get a rejection make sure you thank them and make sure you let them know when you finish your next screenplay. Good luck!

I feel your pain Gabby. I have submitted to quite a few contest as well. Theres gotta be a simplier way lol.

As a novice screenwriter, I take solace in the fact that Stephen King and Harry Potter's author were both rejected by major publishers. Keep writing!

Gabby in Florida: invite your actor friends over for a table read. Sit in the back and really LISTEN. This experience will help you revise. Good luck.

I agree with LindaAnn.

Gabby, congrats on everything that you've done thus far at the age of fifteen. That's awesome. The advice that everyone is offering here is priceless, listen to them, they will not steer you wrong.

Thank you everyone for the great advice - I'll certainly use it!

Hey Gabby, if you make your sript accessible on your profile. I can read it and give you some advice as I've read over a 1000 scripts. I am here to help my fellow creatives. Much love,

Raymond J.Negron

write another script. sometimes, a script just sucks no matter how much revising you do. Move on to the next idea.

Write another screenplay and read a bunch of screenplays (both in and out of the same genre) and then revisit it with "cleansed palette" eyes.

My experience with my first spec was true love. Anyway, I wrote the movie I wanted to write (big budget-scifi horror). The point is, you did too. Now you can write what will win and/or sell. Do you check out the contest winners. I don't enter contests but I do read the winning scripts-when available or loglines. This is a craft and research is at the heart of it. I know why my horror scripts in the past were not good enough. Unoriginal premise, hero/villain characters not interesting or emotional, action does not move the story forward, pacing not building towards climax. Its not enough to sit and write but its a good start. CRAFT is key.

You should try to seek feedback. There are many people who give free feedback on many sites. You need to know what works or doesn't work. 99% of the time the pacing is too slow.