Mike Derum's Lounge Discussions

Know what you want before reaching out. Do you want an edit, script analysis or rewrite? Each is very different and the costs vary based upon the amount of work required. I like to look at a few pages before giving anything of a quote. Some scripts are more work and more complicated than others... and there's the point of who do you feel can keep the gist of your story intact while giving it industry shine.

Writing should not cost anything. Learning takes time. It is up to you. I would spend time learning.

Getting people to work on your work teaches you to please them and not please yourself. You are the first audience, first director, first actor etc.

Work with some of the professionals on Stage 32 who specialize in your genre.

Juan Seattle reach out to Amanda Toney or Jason Mirch on both matters. As the executives/producers can not ask you for money and if it has been more than 3 weeks you need to let them know. I have always received feedback in one week. In addition, readers do not respond on pitch sessions, they are only producers or executives. Industry readers only read the material you send them. Make sure you know what you paid for, as there are no readers on the pitches!

Mike, as far as I know, script doctors are brought in mainly to the project already on budget / been greenlite... check around u'd be surprised script doctors are often paid more that the genuine writers...it's a highly sensitive work and these guys do this for a living, so if this is anything on early, speculation basis I'd suggest "quid pro quo" as safest approach for time being...yea, there are some people who offer these things for a "pocket fee" but I'm afraid that'd be just money giveaway...

Great to meet you, Mike Derum, and welcome to the community! Wow, congrats on your acting career, that's awesome! You've definitely come to the right place. Lots of people in the industry are at varying levels of education, and most only seek it out per project (that is to say, there is no pre-requisite to write a screenplay; you just write it).

For the guidance on your script, I would HIGHLY recommend Executive Coverage (for written notes: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=28) and Executive Consultation (for verbal notes, which allow you to ask questions: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=29) where you can select who reads your script. If you'd like suggestions on who should read your script, definitely reach out to our Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch, who is excellent at matching projects with potential executives (or managers, in your case): J.Mirch@stage32.com

Also, I noticed you're a weapons expert? How cool! Which weapons? I was training to be a PO as a teenager, so studied martial arts with guys in the military and police (very common in the DC area). While my expertise is in blunt weapons - bo staff, jo staff, baton - I have plenty of training with knives, handguns, and swords. Hmm... now I'm thinking I need to brush up on it so I can add it to my acting resume! LOL

You may have already discovered the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting), but definitely check out the Acting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting) to meet like-minded creatives. Enjoy exploring the lounges, and don't forget to comment and respond to others’ posts, too! It's the best way to really connect!