Month: November 2024

It’ll be here before you know it!

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Just one week – seven days, and counting – until The Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase goes live.

Are you a screenwriter or TV writer with a script you’re just itching to show the rest of the world? Well, this is your chance to do exactly that.

Bonus – it’s FREE! Won’t cost you anything to send in the basic details about your script. But hurry – the deadline to do it is Thursday, December 5.

Then on Friday, December 6, a list with all the scripts will be posted. A link to that list will be posted on various social media platforms. If your script is among those listed and you want to spread the word about it, you can copy-and-paste the link and post it on all of your platforms.

Everybody wins.

Here’s the Winter ’23 edition to give you an idea of what it looks like.

The more eyes we can get on this, the better.

And if somebody wants to read a script, each writer’s email is included in their listing, so an interested reader can contact the writer directly and ask.

Here’s how it works:

Email the following info here with the subject line “Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase”

-Film or TV

-Title

-Writer(s)

-Genre(s)

-Logline

-Awards (if applicable) – limit of 5

-your email

That’s it.

And three very important details to keep in mind:

-ONLY ONE SCRIPT PER PERSON

-DO NOT SEND THE SCRIPT!!

-PROOFREAD YOUR EMAIL BEFORE SENDING! Is all the info correct? Any typos? How it’s written in your email sending it in is how it’ll be listed in the post.

Previously-listed scripts are okay, but new scripts are always encouraged.

Why am I doing this? I’m a big believer in networking and helping out the writing community. I don’t have much pull or influence within the industry, but wanted to do something that could help writers, and this seemed like the most practical way.

Did I mention it was free?

Once again – the window to send in is between right now and Thursday, December 5. Daily reminders will be posted during that time, but isn’t it better to just take care of it RIGHT NOW?

Thanks for sending in!

T-minus 2 weeks and counting

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The sending-in of info about screenplays and TV scripts continues as more writers want to be included in the upcoming Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase.

Lots of interest being generated and excitement levels continue to grow, and there’s still 2 weeks to go until the Showcase goes live on December 6.

Here’s how it all works:

The Showcase is a big list of information about spec screenplays and TV scripts. Each listing features the basic details about each script (see info below), including the writer’s email. That’s there in case you’d like to ask them about reading it.

More than a few writers who’ve already sent in appreciate the opportunity to put their work on full display. I’m all about helping out others, and this seems like a fun and effective way to do that.

Bonus – it’s free.

Once the Showcase is up, I’ll do what I can to help spread the word about it, and hope you do the same – especially to shamelessly draw attention to your script being included.

If you want to have your script included, here’s what you need to do:

Send the following info here:

Film or TV?

Title

Writer

Genre(s)

Logline

Awards(s) – if applicable; 5 at the most

Your email

TWO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DETAILS:

–Only one script per person

–DO NOT SEND THE SCRIPT!

I’d also like to stress the importance of proofreading your info before sending. Typos are sneaky little devils that show up when you least expect them – especially after the fact, so double- or triple-checking is highly recommended.

Previously-listed scripts are okay, but new ones are encouraged.

A few writers have asked about short scripts. Those are okay as well.

The deadline for sending in is Thursday, December 5, so don’t put off sending in until the last minute.

Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got.

Your (script’s) chance to shine!

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Have you got a screenplay or TV script that you want the world to know about, but been having trouble in making that happen?

Have I got some good news for you.

One of my main objectives in doing this blog has been to help out other writers however I can. While I can’t connect you with the decision-making muckety-mucks in the industry, what I CAN do is help you spread the word about your script – maybe even that it gets the attention of one of those muckety-mucks.

That’s right, it’s time once again for The Maximum Z Script Showcase! (Winter ’24 edition)

Even better – IT’S FREE. Won’t cost you a thing. Not one hard-earned buck. Not one thin dime. Not one plugged nickel. Not even one red cent.

Starting today through Thursday, December 5, you send in the details about your script, and then on Friday, December 6, a list with all the scripts will be posted. A link to that list will be posted on various social media platforms. If your script is included and you want people to know about it, then you can also copy-and-paste the link and post it on your platforms.

Here’s the Winter ’23 edition to give you an idea of what it looks like.

The more eyes we can get on this, the better.

“But what if somebody wants to read my script?” you might ask. Great question. Each writer’s email is included in the details they send in, so if a script catches somebody’s attention and they want to read it, they can contact the writer directly. Win-win.

Here’s how it works:

Email the following info here with the subject line “Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase”

-Film or TV

-Title

-Writer(s)

-Genre(s)

-Logline

-Awards (if applicable) – limit of 5

-your email

That’s it.

And here are two very important details to keep in mind:

-ONLY ONE SCRIPT PER PERSON

and

-DO NOT SEND THE SCRIPT!!

Previously-listed scripts are okay, but new scripts are encouraged.

Also highly recommended – PROOFREAD YOUR EMAIL BEFORE SENDING!! Is all the info correct? Any typos? I’ve received more than a few over the years that could have used a good edit. How it’s written in your email is how it’ll be listed in the post.

Once again – the window to send in is between right now and Thursday, December 5. Occasional reminders will be posted during that time, so don’t delay and send it straightaway.

Looking forward to seeing what you’ve all got.

Time unintentionally taken

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When I started working on the new spec a few months ago, I was hoping to have a solid outline done by the end of the year.

But the story is proving to be more complicated than I originally thought, and I’ve come up with some ideas that would help not only the story but to also showcase the “different” in the Familiar But Different aspect when it comes to the films that inspired it.

And on top of that, I’ve been busy with other stuff, so development on this project has really slowed down. I’m still working on it, but slightly annoyed that this is happening in the first place.

Part of it is my strong desire to get this thing written. I’m really psyched about it, but I also want to do as much outlining and figuring stuff out before moving onto pages.

There’s also the previously-alluded-to going for “familiar but different”. There are scenes and sequences in this story that require a strong sense of originality so as to avoid being interpreted as me being a lazy writer and just ripping off stuff from those other films. That is something I definitely want to avoid.

Thus, my continuing struggle to put this one together.

I initially felt embarrassed and a little ashamed about being so far behind schedule, but this is what putting this story together requires. When I expressed this to other writers, I was reminded that everybody makes progress at their own pace (“As a runner, you know how true that is.”), and it was also pointed out that several other writers in our community spend a lot of time writing and even more time rewriting their stuff.

I was told I shouldn’t feel bad about not being as productive or prolific. I’m doing the work at the pace that works best for me, and that’s the important part.

I also have to keep in mind that my animated script began several years ago as just jotting down ideas, and then gradually evolved into what it is today – including countless rewrites and polishes. Even today I’m still waiting on notes that will be applied to the next draft.

I know I’ll get this one done, and of course wish it wasn’t taking so long, but that’s just the way it is. I’m still enjoying putting it together, and confident I’ll be happy with the end result (and all the subsequent drafts that follow it).

From the archives: May I be of some assistance?

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“Be with you folks in a minute.”

Not the first time I reposted this one, but was reminded about it after a great chat with a screenwriting colleague earlier this week asking for some help in promoting her FREE class on writing a Christmas movie. Details down at the bottom.

In the meantime, please once again enjoy this post from July 2019.

For the most part, working towards making it as a screenwriter is a solitary effort. You’re the one who has to write the script and get it out there. It’s a tough journey, but you don’t have to go it alone.

Hence – networking.

Making that initial contact is great, but you should also strive to make it worth the other person’s while as much as you are for yourself.

Once you start to build up your own personal community of Other Writers, and those relationships gradually develop beyond the “Hi. Nice to meet you” stage, you’ll naturally seek out some help in the form of feedback – your latest draft, a query, a logline, what have you.

And that’s all well and good, but it’s equally important, if not more so, for you to return the favor. Rather than just popping up and saying “Hey, would you read my script?”, try “Hey, we’ve known each other a while, and you seem to know what you’re talking about, so would you be open to reading my script? And I’d be more than happy to reading one of yours.”

Helpful tip #1 – don’t be the person who asks for notes but isn’t willing to give them.

Helpful tip #2 – even if you don’t like what their notes say, you still need to hold up your end of the bargain and give them notes – especially if you’re the one who asked in the first place.

Sometimes the best kind of help is when it’s unexpected – either from you or from somebody you know.

A few years ago, a producer friend of a friend was looking for a certain kind of project. I didn’t have anything that met their criteria, but offered to post the listing on a few social media platforms. At least 20 writers responded. I sent their info to the producer, who then contacted a few of them (as far as I know).

What did I get out of it? Just being happy to help and the appreciation from all the writers – even the ones the producer didn’t follow up with.

I’ve also been fortunate to be on the receiving end, with friends sending me emails and messages about listings seeking scripts like mine.

A little effort really does go a long way – anything from forwarding a script or job listing to a few words of encouragement, or even offering congratulations for somebody achieving some kind of accomplishment. Don’t you like when somebody does that sort of thing for you?

As much as we’re all working towards our own individual success, we’re also part of a community; one where each member should help support the others in whatever way they can.

-Screenwriter Isabel Drean has a new online course called “Break Into The Industry With A Christmas Movie“. It’s free and only runs for 28 minutes. There are also links to other online courses Isabel offers. She’s a veteran screenwriter, including selling five scripts which were all produced in an 18-month span.