Hey, it’s Pilar. Thank you for looking into the script coaching process, “Story to Script.” Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions.
A: This service allows me to personally coach you, step-by-step, as you build your script from idea to finished draft. To do this, we meet for a story consultation to break story and outline act breaks, then schedule deadlines and meet for 3-5 more meetings, adding pages with every session. You create, develop and rewrite as you go, ultimately finishing a draft that meets your intentions and is industry-ready. I’ve been so pleased with the scripts that have come out of this process!
For feature scripts, the meetings cover: breaking story / pages 1-25 / pages 1-50 / pages 1-75 / full draft / rewrite.
For one-hour pilots, the meetings cover: breaking story / pages 1-30 / full draft / rewrite.
For half-hour pilots, the meetings cover: breaking story / pages 1-15 / full draft / rewrite.
A: Tell me your idea and share your thoughts about how you see your movie or pilot. I’ll work with you to find the strongest story, a clear structure and an original approach to the characters. You’ll leave with a story map and a sound writing plan. No written material is required. If you already have written material (such as an outline), please do not send more than three pages.
A: I read thoroughly with an eye toward certain issues: Is the story tracking? Are you digging into your concept? Are your characters coming alive? Does your dialogue pop? Are your pages well-crafted? I then discuss the strengths and weaknesses with you as I share your script on the screen (in Zoom). Wherever it’s needed, we “script doctor,” tweaking lines, editing pages and heightening characters. I don’t just point out the problems. I help you fix them.
A: Too often writers are left feeling confused or disheartened by written “do this / don’t do that” coverage. A verbal consultation allows you to ask questions, work with specific pages and brainstorm solutions on the spot. I also record our session through Zoom and then send you the recording so that you can review the notes. I also send back the draft I was sharing on screen with the notes and edits within the draft that were discussed in the meeting.
A: No. Your material is never farmed out. I read every script and talk with you personally.
A: Usually about 60 minutes.
A: Absolutely not. I am not a producer, a co-writer, or a manager. My job is to help you finish your script and revise your pages. Your script and ideas are your own. I claim no rights to them.
A: I fully respect your need for confidentiality. Because of the volume of material I work with, there are occasions where I read and consult on material with similar ideas. Most of the time, there are major differences in execution. By sending your script or idea to me, you do so with the knowledge that it is not uncommon for writers to have similar ideas, that parallel development may take place within the film and TV industry and that similarities between your script/idea and any other script/idea are purely coincidental.
A: I don’t move material. But, I can assure you that your script will be ready when you meet the right contact. If “success = preparation + opportunity,” consider our work the preparation part of that equation.
A: I no longer consult on completed scripts that haven’t been workshopped through the story to script process.
A: Just pay directly through this website or, if you need to make payments over time, contact me at pilar@onthepage.tv and let me know you’d like an invoice. I’ll then work with you to get your first story consultation on the calendar asap.
A: Please send an email to pilar@onthepage.tv
Pilar personally coaches you step-by-step to build your script from idea to final draft.