PAMELA JAYE SMITH is a mythologist, writer, consultant, speaker and award-winning
producer-director with twenty-five years experience on features, TV, commercials,
music videos, documentaries, corporate, and military films.
MYTHWORKS is Pamela's consultation company offering 'Applied Mythology
for more Powerful Reality' to individuals, organizations, the media arts,
and the military. www.mythworks.net
Pamela has taught at UCLA, American Film Institute, USC Film School, RAI-TV
Rome, Nat'l Film Inst of Denmark, Women in Film and many other venues. She
judges screenwriting contests, serves on panels, and gives seminars at film
festivals and conferences. International clients and credits include Microsoft,
Paramount, Disney, Universal, GM, Boeing, Pepperdine, the FBI, and the US
Army. Pamela has eight years formal study in Comparative Mysticism and is
a certified teacher of the Mystery Schools. She was Microsoft's media spokesperson
for the PC game "Age of Mythology".
Pamela's book INNER DRIVES: How to Write and Create Characters Through
the Eight Classic Centers of Motivation comes out in 2005 from Michael Wiese
Productions. www.mwp.com
*****
"MYTHWORKS can be an important factor in the difference between
success and failure. It helps the writer go broader and deeper, to ground
their stories in some of the most fascinating myths which echo in the
best of our contemporary stories. By understanding mythic resonances,
a story-teller's work is stretched to new levels, touching upon those
themes and values which have so much to do with commercial success."
Dr. Linda Seger, script consultant and author Making a Good Script Great, Advanced Screenwriting, etc.
The best stories are based on myths.
More than likely your story is, too, even if you don't think so at first.
Like all artists, you tap into the collective unconscious and bring down
inspiration. Turning it into art and crafting it into something that sizzles
and sells is quite another story.
But you too can acquire those timeless Mythic Tools that story-tellers
across the aeons and in every culture have used to enhance their tales,
to reach out to the universal, and yet to go deep enough to make them personal
and unique.
As a working writer, experienced consultant, and writing teacher, I can
certainly assist you with those elements of story structure, plotline, characterizations,
and dialogue.
Different from other basic story consultations however, a MYTHWORKS Consultation
helps discover the underlying myths and archetypes in your story. That's
where the real power lies - tapping into those classic Themes, Archetypes,
Symbols and Imagery to craft a more compelling piece of art and entertainment.
1. My first goal is to hear from you what you intend your story to say
and what you think you need to work on.
2. I read your story once through, just as a reader, development executive,
actor, or director would do. I'll have an impression then of what Mythic
Theme(s) your story is expressing, which Archetypes your characters seem
to be following, and what the main story concerns are.
Lots of time and personal attention…if you are… attracted
to the myth model of screenwriting…you'll delight in the comprehensiveness
of what you get.
Creative Screenwriting magazine
3. We speak again (usually for about 20-30 minutes) and I tell you what
it looks like your story is trying to say. If that's what you wanted, we
proceed and I help you say it even more powerfully. If not, we discuss how
to move your story closer to your desired Mythic Theme. For instance, if
you wanted to be telling a "Stealing Fire From Heaven" tale but
it reads like a "Wake-Up Call", then we've got some changes to
make.
Often it simply means switching the importance of your plot-lines so the
sub-plot becomes the main storyline. Sometimes it's bringing up a minor
character or incident to enhance your real story goal.
Usually I find that writers have more than enough in a script; the real
work comes in letting go of what might be really great stuff, but simply
does not belong in this story.
4. I read the script again, making copious notes and constructing my Consultation
Booklet for your project. Rather than handwriting on your script (often
difficult to decipher), you receive typed pages. Since I keep your script,
this allows us to talk from the same page in further conversations.
These notes address everything from dialogue to structure and will say more
than "This doesn't work". They'll actually suggest ways to make
it work! As a working writer with decades of experience in all genres and
styles, I really enjoy the transformation process of helping make scenes
and situations fit the larger whole, yet stand out on their own as the sort
writers can be proud of, and actors and directors would like to have on
their demo reels.
You also receive extensive (7-30+ pp) notes and background materials on
the Mythic Themes, Plot Points, Archetypes, and Symbols, etc. - all made
relevant and very, very specific to your story.
Depending on the Consultation Plan you select, you often receive a three-ring
binder sectioned into various aspects of the Consultation. This is especially
helpful for writing partnerships or projects with producers, actors, and
others involved. Everyone can have their own script-book and can turn to
the "Character" section and go over the "Character Profile",
which includes everything from Archetypes to what color clothes would be
appropriate for that Archetype, or discuss the sequence of Plot Points,
Symbols, etc.
"I was astounded by the depth and extent of Pamela's information.
MYTHWORKS helped add layers and dimension to the characters; texture
and power to my storytelling."
Bruce Logan, Emmy-winning Director-Writer
5. After you have read over the MYTHWORKS Consultation notes, we speak
again (amount of time depends on your Plan) to answer any questions.
SUGGESTIONS FOR WRITERS
Read novels, read the classics, read the myths of all cultures. Read history
(they keep lots of good stories there). Read poetry. Read war journals.
Read the international news. Read plays. And yes, read scripts.
Screenplays are simply one way of telling stories. Do not limit your studies
to screenplays. The more steeped you are in stories, in many different styles
and genres, the better story-teller you can become.
Many other consultants on this website offer some valuable suggestions
for improving your writing. Do check them out, too.
*****
RECOMMENDED SCREENWRITING BOOKS
Advanced Screenwriting - Dr. Linda Seger
Art of Dramatic Writing, The - Lajos Egri
Breathing Life into Your Characters - Dr. Rachel Ballon
How to Adapt Anything into a Screenplay - Richard Krevolin
Making a Good Script Great - Linda Seger
Making a Good Writer Great - Linda Seger
Script-Selling Game, The - Kathie Fong Yoneda
Stealing Fire from the Gods - James Bonnet
What Are You Laughing At? - Brad Schreiber
Writer's Journey, The - Chris Vogler
Digital Storytelling: A Creator's Guide to Interactive Entertainment - Carolyn
Handler Miller
RECOMMENDED STORY SOURCES
Aesop's Fables - Laura Gibbs
Hero With A Thousand Faces - Joseph Campbell
Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor as Myth & Religion
- Joseph Campbell
Masks of God, The - Joseph Campbell
Mythology - Edith Hamilton
New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology
Power of Myth, The - Joseph Campbell
