www.ScriptMentors.com
Scriptmentors@earthlink.net

Down-to-Earth, Professional Script Consulting and Script Coverage Services.

What makes us different?

James Bruner and Elizabeth Stevens are working screenwriters and working television writers with produced film and television credits whose movies include two Number One Hits.

Each and every day we are out there in the Hollywood trenches, meeting and working with producers, directors, executives and actors.

We don't claim to have all the answers…What we do have are unique insights that come from years of practical hands-on experience that we can put to work for you. We have experience that can't be learned from a book or a class:

We were hired by Richard Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck to write and Executive Produce Pretty Boy Floyd, a feature film in development about the infamous Depression-era outlaw.

Ice Dreams, a romantic drama feature that we wrote, premiered in January, 2010 on The Hallmark Channel.

We developed and wrote the feature-length action/adventure screenplay, Kill Switch, for Larry Levinson Productions.

We also wrote and produced the independent comedy feature Hollywood Dot Com. James directed the picture and Elizabeth played one of the lead roles. We have recently completed post-production on the film, which is currently out to distributors.

Among our television projects, we worked with Columbia Tri-Star Television as writers and producers on developing the one-hour drama series Delta Force 2000.

Prior to our partnership, James wrote 13 movies that include the hit movies Missing In Action, The Delta Force, and Invasion USA, which were all Number 1 or 2 at the box office. James also wrote the one- hour CBS pilot script, The Delta Force.

Script Services

Studio-Style Coverage

Want to find out just how most people in Hollywood will see your script?...Most important decisions about your script will be made by people using "coverage" as their sole criteria.

We know…It doesn't seem fair, but that is how things are done. Most decision-makers in Hollywood do not read scripts. They couldn't even if they wanted to - there are just not enough hours in the day. They rely almost exclusively on coverage, especially for the critical first exposure to your script.

Coverage runs three pages. The first page has four elements: a "Log Line" that attempts to encapsulate your script in one short line; a "Short Paragraph" that expands on the log line; and a "Rating" of your script (Excellent to Very Good, Good to Fair and Not Good). The ratings cover the categories: Concept, Commerciality, Characters, Dialogue, Structure and Style. The fourth element is the "Reader's Recommendation": Recommend, Consider, Pass.

The second page is a Synopsis of your script. The third page is reserved for the Reader's Comments about your script.

We offer three-page Studio-Style Coverage tempered through our own unique perspective and experience. The price is $180.

The Top Ten

Everyone says that they can tell if a script is good or bad in the first ten pages. In reality, if you don't grab the reader on the first page or two, your script will probably be set aside and shifted to the bottom of the reading pile. And it will be months, or longer, if ever, before it sees the light of day again.

If you can hook the reader in the first two pages…and keep them interested to page ten…you have a chance of them reading further.

In The Top Ten, we examine every word on every one of your first ten pages, making notes and suggestions on the pages themselves. We also include a one-page overall analysis of the first ten pages. The price is $300.

The Top Thirty

Buyers and readers have been conditioned to judge scripts by using the formal Three Act screenplay structure, whether we writers like it or not. So your first 27-30 pages are critical to keeping the reader hooked and looking forward to reading more.

You can't be sloppy about any part of the script, but if your first thirty pages aren't tight and intriguing, the reader isn't going to read on to find out whether you created a brilliant Second or Third Act.

In The Top Thirty, we study every line on every page of your first act and make appropriate notes and suggestions on the script itself. We also include a one-page analysis of the pages that covers Story, Structure, Characters and Dialogue. The price is $500.

Development Notes

Development Notes usually run several pages and are used by the studios to address the perceived problem areas of a script in the categories of Story, Structure, Characters and Dialogue. Some notes are specific, others are general.

The notes are used by studio executives to guide rewrites. You can use our Development Notes the same way. The price is $600 and includes a half hour phone consultation.

Other Specialized Services

Check our website for other services we offer…Remember that we are here to help you make your script the best that it can be, so e-mail us and tell us what you need and we will do our best to accommodate you.

What our Clients are Saying

"I am so excited about your report on "Islands in the Stream" right now that I can barely write this, but I have to. After letting your envelope sit around all afternoon because I was so afraid of what it might say, I read it and I can't THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, enough…Please believe me, I agree so much with EVERY SINGLE THING you suggested. I was at my wit's end trying to figure out what was wrong, but you two seem to have nailed it exactly…I don't think there's a better compliment that I can give you as script readers, than you are the absolute best because you are such open-minded readers…I think you have absolutely saved my script…" Janet Hogate

"2006 was a very good year for "Zero Handicap": First Place Winner - Hollywood Screenwriting Institute Contest; Top Three Winner - Nevada Film Office Screenwriters Competition; Top-Five Finalist, Vancouver FTX West Expo, Jeff Kitchn Screenwriters' Competition; Top-Sixteen Finalist - Cinestory Screenwriting Awards; Finalist - Scr(i)pt Magazine/AFI Open Door Contest…Thank you for your input and help in making our script better. Feel free to brag about it on your website." Clint Braly & Jim Braly

Suggested Reading

Screenwriting 101: The Essential Craft of Feature Film Writing, by Neill D. Hicks

How to Write a Screenplay in Ten Days, by Vicki King