Orianna Morales: Screenwriter, script consultant and script supervisor in Los Angeles, California.

Orianna Morales

Hi Woody, thank you!

Phil McNamara
Pilot written - what next?

Have written a pilot script for a TV comedy/mock-umentary. What is the best way of getting this seen by the right people? Or do I need to copyright it? (I am in the UK)

Sharon Sinclair

Hi Phil, I`m pretty much where you are now, still trying to get funding - but ever hopeful

David Levy

Rewrite it a few times. Get some input from friends and peers. Craft your series bible as well so you know your characters and where your series is headed.

Phil McNamara

Thanks all, some great advice.

Asking a question

Why the characters of american TV series and films always ask for permission when they are about to ask a question to another character?

Michael Eddy

Fleurette - I don't believe Mr. Bond bothers with the niceties. It's simply: "Martini. Shaken, not stirred". No please or thank yous. Which is pretty much the same technique he uses with the women he beds. "Come here, Pussy" springs to mind from "Goldfinger".

Fleurette M Van Gulden

On point, Michael .

Orianna Morales

It will also depend on the genre. And yes, it is a popular expression everywhere. You won't see it used in every movie but there is a place for it when appropos.

Rafsan Mahmud
I want to send my story to Hollywood.

Hi I'm Rafsan. I'm 22. I have stories of my own. I have written 4 stories for Hollywood. The problem is I'm from Bangladesh and I don' know secure way to do that. If someone there to help me I would really appreciate that. Once I asked in yahoo and I find out that I could try Literary agent. So, what can I do?

Chris Hind

adding to Orianna's post - you could also send you stories to the Library of Congress for a fee.

Desi Singh

I agree with Orianna, the poor man's copyright does only one thing, it establishes the date you emailed/mailed it to yourself. Or as it's put, it establishes a date of concept and actualization only a...

Expand comment
Rafsan Mahmud

Thanks to everyone for the help.

Victor Titimas
Can someone become a screenwriter?

I've read a lot of websites that paint a very negative picture about this. They strongly discourage anyone who would ever thinks about writing and sending screenplays. They say it's an impossible thing to do. And it's a very bad, offensive thing to wish to do. Is the reality so discouraging? Thanks for answering!:)

Victoria Wiltshire

Unique material is king...and every so often, a screenwriter on the outside gives birth to a brilliant idea...so why not?

Orianna Morales

Everything has good and bad. If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen. However, I will say that you wear different hats. I wore 3 or so just today including my networking hat.

Dave McCrea

Did you live for movies as a kid? We all watched movies, but a small minority would watch 4 or 5 movies back to back and have seen certain films countless times. If you are not in that camp, I would say don't pursue it, it's not your calling.

Mark Valadez

Privileged to be part of the creative team behind this show. Please watch "Gang Related" Thursday nights on Fox. 9PM pacific and eastern/8PM central and mountain. Another new episode airs this week. You watch the first three episodes on -- http://www.fox.com/gang-related/...

Expand post

Orianna Morales

So excited for you and your team @GangRelated. Much success.

Mark Valadez

Thanks, Orianna!

Robert People
If You Can Afford Coverage/Feedback, GET IT!!

I'll say that again. IF YOU CAN AFFORD COVERAGE/FEEDBACK, GET IT!! PLEASE!! Now I understand that when it comes to these contests that offer coverage or individual who do, it can become costly. I've been fortunate enough to be able to afford getting coverage multiple times and I've learned a lot fro...

Expand post

Mary Winborn

The thing that comes to mind, and it is big, is keep believing in what you have created. IT is possible to get advice that is just the other person's likes/dislikes. Also, I have been told a couple of places not to let non screenwriter friends read your stuff and critique it.

Ami Brown

Trigger street.com is a nice way to get unbiased feedback and it's free. I love reading other scripts there as well - gives you more of a perspective on work out there. Just make sure it's registered...

Expand comment
Orianna Morales

Free only gets you so far. If you can afford to write something and spend hours of your life doing so, you can afford to get coverage. Coverage dissects the piece and helps you recognize (and avoid a real) pass. Onlookers don't get you beyond that.

Rick Hardin
Treatments?

I was wondering how many screenwriters have treatments for their scripts. I see the need for loglines, the pitch on paper and Synopsys but are treatments really needed? Do the readers ask for them?

Ginger Marin

A synopsis is written AFTER the screenplay is done - a wrap up of what the script is about - 1-2 pages tops. A treatment is written BEFORE the screenplay and is a detailed outline of how you plan to e...

Expand comment
Orianna Morales

Well, more to the point, a treatment is a selling piece.

Steven Seidman

Exactly, I just wrote a treatment with my Co-writer to get investors into our project.

Orianna Morales

What the ending does is create buzz when you leave the theater. Dean Devlin (Independence Day)

Ginger Marin
Weird Criticism or What?

I submitted my drama/action script pitch recently and got back 2 comments -- "Not clear why this guy had to be a .... specialist." and "Why make her a .... woman?" - While I've omitted certain words - they pertain specifically to the supporting characters' CAREERS. To me this critique makes no sense...

Expand post

James David Sullivan

@Dan - a oral pitch is almost like going through a Ph.D. oral exam. You have to know every detail of your script and be prepared to answer succinctly almost any imaginable question they throw at you - typically in less than 10 minutes.

James David Sullivan

@Dan - if you have some other way to get your scripts produced, then you definitely don't have to do them!

Ginger Marin

I started another post a couple of of days ago to show precisely who is reading our scripts. Check it out https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/ShowBiz-Interns-Class-Actio......

Expand comment
Danny Manus
Were Screenwriters Dissed at the Oscars?

People seem to be up in arms about how forgotten the writers were this year at the Oscars. Here's my article on IF they were neglected and WHY. http://www.nobullscript.net/screenwritingtips/were-screenwriters-dissed-......

Expand post

Orianna Morales

Good point. I guess since I work with people who buy rights off the bat, they're not too concerned as they believe in the adaptation.

Sandra Campbell

Speaking of getting dissed at the Oscars, what's up with this whole John Ridley/Steve McQueen rift? From what I've read, there was some disagreement between Ridley and McQueen about WGA credit. I thin...

Expand comment
Danny Manus

No, it was a real rift. One wrote the script, one rewrote the script, one wanted sole credit, the other wanted shared credit. Happens everyday.

Gwen Conklin
Screenwriting, Script Consultant gigs~do you prefer writing alone or collaboratively?

Have recently had some magical experiences as a Script Consultant, which has evolved into collaborating and co-writing/rewriting scripts. When that 'creative synchronicity' kicks in...wow! Just wondering whether other writers prefer writing alone, or collaboratively? Or does it depend on the type of project?

Victoria Wiltshire

Working on a TV pilot which although sometimes borders on madness, has been a necessary solo process. Speaking of collaborations however, mine have mainly been in the songwriting field...some inspirin...

Expand comment
Kimberly Perdue-Sims

For me it depends on the project. I'm working on expanding my second book into a "brand" and it definitely requires the collaboration of others. :)

Amate Brian

It depends.There are scripts I will need somebody to assist me

Orianna Morales

Every detail needs to support continuity. Characters, plot, symbolism, etc.

Orianna Morales

Thanks for reach out! Cheers from the Hollyhood.

LB McGill

Cheers Orianna!

Orianna Morales

When you are offering a script, yes, you are marketing a product. However, you are also marketing yourself as a writer and the relationship that you offer. This is a business of relationships. "Make it so! Jean Luc Picard"

Orianna Morales

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” Henry Ford

Orianna Morales

Thank you for reaching out! Best in all you do. Cheers!

Kathrandra D. Smith

You are very welcome, Orianna.

Orianna Morales
Orianna Morales

Contrary to popular belief, this is a business. Treat it as such. Wear a sales hat and focus on your value. If you are focusing on the cyclical aspect of the business, well, good luck. Anticipate the market. Be the market. Know your market.

Orianna Morales

The first ten pages are crucial.

Orianna's network

Ashleigh Coffelt
Steve Lareau
Cherry Heart
Timothy Pepper
Oracle Laura
Federico Aletta
Rayner Guerra
Richard Mark Bazley
Stacee Myers
Sonia K. Villerias
register for stage 32 Register / Log In