Curtis Cameron's Lounge Discussions

I think you got something with all of his friends being there, where your characters problem can be bought up later

Sometimes characters want to take over your story. Promise that character (in your mind) that you will write something for it later - then continue the story you want to tell. You will find that the character will support you. (i.e. a very different way to look at the same issue).

Finish the script, wait a week or two then re-read it and decide if you feel the same way. If so, revise. If not, send it to a few trusted beta readers for opinions.

You could make that part of the story line/character traits/flaws/arcs. One of your characters gets all the attention because he is so outgoing, and it makes your protag feel like he is always being pushed to the back. Especially because he is probably smarter/also funny/more successful/more talented, or whatever. It starts out a small annoyance, but over time, it becomes a thorn in his side until it finally comes to a climax and threatens their friendship as your protag finally asserts himself. And maybe at some point he finds out second hand that his friend actually gives him credit for being smarter/more talented etc. when he's not arround, i.e. Talking to a girl that the protag likes, she's like, "OMG you are so smart and funny", and his friend says, "Nah... Joe is the smart one. You should see the work he does on the molecular earthworm generator". Or whatever. Just ideas. I don't know your story, or at what stage you are in.

Another thing to look at is dominant character traits. Make sure the main character has one extreme trait that comes out often to make him more interesting. For example, if he is volatile, or has a mean-streak or, is competitive, or controlling, or jealous or whatever. Give his funny friend an opposite or similar streak, put them in the same room and watch the fireworks.

Congratulations on keeping the momentum up and getting results. I found (after spending an extraordinary amount of money) that the $45 paid pitches here on this site were not a wise investment. Many script requests but it was like pulling teeth to even get a response.

Would you mind sharing what service you used to get it sent to so many agents? Thank-you.

Thank you all. Alle, good to know you and Anton have met before. No introductions needed. :)

Paul, I went through three rewrites and hired a script consultant to get the script ready, then got some professional feedback on my query letter and my logline as well (I still tend to write my log lines like tag lines, hard habit to break)

Thanks, David. I just finished my second script. I decided to send it in for coverage. I hope that improves my process.

Well done, Pete! I notice improvements in my results after I get feedback and revise, too, which is encouraging :-)

While working on my pitch revision, I've found this pitching advice blog from Stage 32 to be of extreme value. Even if you've read it before, it's a great guide to polish up your pitches. https://www.stage32.com/blog/5-Most-Common-Mistakes-In-Pitching

Congrats, Pete! And thanks for sharing that pitching advice blog. One of our most popular.

Thank you for the excellent blog!

You are so very welcome, Pete!