Another "Happy" Customer!

Well, it's happening on an average of once a week now- someone basically begging to have their screenplay reviewed "but can't afford to pay for it", so they try to be saccharin sweet when asking for the favor;

"... I have a Script Geno, which I can guarantee you has not EVER been touch-in, explored nor written about... love you to read it & I know 5 pages in, you won’t put it down Geno. In addition, Geno, I would like to have a quick chat with you in relation to the ‘Buisness (sic) ‘ side of ‘Show-Buisness’ (sic). I’m sure you are a very busy Man & I hope you can find the time to have a quick conversation with myself.

With my Kindest Regards, Geno...

Being the schmuck, who really just wants to help other screenwriters, I accepted, knowing the only notes I would provide were not going to be "corrective", but more of a general feedback response. The streak of "the more they talk up the screenplay, the worse it is" is still going strong however, approaching one thousand and counting.

Thanks a Million Geno. I previously sent my work to (Executive Producer) and he very quickly arranged a Zoom Call with himself, his Project Manager & a Producer. He loved the Script... was blown away by the Characters, the Storylines, the Action, the dialogue, the hidden Sub-Plots... They offered me a Production & a Development deal on the Zoom call & 2 days later, their legal Department sent me sample copies of the two contracts. However, two months later I got an email from them telling me he was unable to raise the funding...a little part of me feels that he didn’t consult with his other three partners. They then recommended another Production Company... and they where (sic) looking for myself (sic) to pay them a five-figure sum...but I had to respectfully decline their offer Geno.

So, none of this REALLY makes any sense, does it? Well, it didn't to me. He supposedly had "interest" from two production companies (one very well-known one that I have worked with in the recent past), but one couldn't get funding while the other wanted HIM to pay five-figures?

This is what I believe all of this meant- and I told him this. The first production company (very small) realized a historical drama was far too expensive to produce for them, not to mention the absolute necessity of rewriting the screenplay in its entirety. It just didn't calculate for them. If what he says in factual (which I doubt, personally), they originally thought the concept was interesting enough to read more.

Fair enough.

The second production company "requesting five-figures" is no doubt offering to rewrite it properly, at HIS expense, prior to attempting to get funding- which this prodco does all of the time. Not sure what THEY might charge for a full rewrite, but it IS a way to get the (original) writer involved, a.k.a. "skin in the game." I charge five-figures, but I wouldn't be surprised if these guys asked for twice what I charge.

So, here is this writer's "tepid" response to my feedback.

Thank you so much for everything you have said. There is no ‘Right Way’ or ‘Wrong Way’ when it comes to Script writing. So, you didn’t get five pages in & then you go on to say I’m basically a useless writer & an amateur. How very insulting Geno. I suppose the three Professional bodies who hold prestigious positions within the Film industry are ALL WRONG?... I am 54-yrs of age & I have been writing since the age of 17-years, and there is absolutely no validation whatsoever to what you have written... Just because I use ‘POV’ some ‘Camera Angles’ etc. that makes me some sort of an imbecile who couldn’t write to save my life? No one (has) the right to tell a person their writing is rubbish... I have spent a very large amount of money on building up my writing work station; my computer cost me €10,000 Euros, never mind the 2nd large screen, my external hard drive & I also have another Apple computer (like new)... Over my many, many years, I have written short stories, plays, TV series & pictures... Scriptwriters become teachers because they cannot write scripts... My writing is... exceptional... Geno you only make yourself look like a lost boy just whistling in the dark. Pathetic like... HOW DARE YOU... I know how to write - it was a Gift from God that I was born with... When I was told it was going to be made... told me that it won’t cost me one red cent, that he would be raising all the funding that was needed..."

I find it odd that someone would argue against any claim that they wrote a terrible screenplay, when the email that they right to make their argument is equally as poor.

Then, my obligatory sales pitch...but not really.

"I sell lifetime membership to LEARN how to write professionally and have 500+ clients. I have a thousand producers, managers and agents personal phone numbers and direct email addresses. One word from me on someone's script, they will request it and read it. They KNOW I won't send them amateurish (stuff) and waste their time. I don't bull(stuff) anyone. I WANT to see these screenwriters get their scripts produced. That's it. That's what drives me every day to put up with these nonsensical rages."

Clearly, he wasn't having any of it, and the back-and-forth went for a while longer. Funny, how his tone changed dramatically from the ask to the feedback, though.

Screenwriters- remember this; you are going to learn MORE from your mistakes than anyone lying and telling you how great you are. That's what mommas do. I'm not your momma. I'm here to help. You don't want help from me? Say so! I know dozens of other excellent writers that provide a service and could help you.

WRITER'S BIO: Mr. Scala spent 24-plus years in the Hollywood community and was the Executive Director for the?72nd Annual Academy Awards,?as well as The Soul Train Awards,?The Grammys,?The Blockbuster Video Awards Show?and?The Saturn Award Show.

Geno has three produced feature films: "Assassin 33 A.D.",?"Black Easter"?and?"The Tombs". All are currently available on Amazon Prime and Tubi. While working on a project scheduled to be filmed in the spring - starring Liam Hemsworth and Samuel L. Jackson - he continues to mentor new writers and self-published authors.

TSM Writing and Publishing Services recently expanded, adding...

• A social media marketing division.
• Team of eight (8) professional writers; screenwriters and novelists.
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