networking

Ask a Smilin’ Networking Machine Script Consultant!

Maximum Z characters, contest, craft, horror, improv, loglines, networking, pie, preparation, proofreading, protagonist, screenwriting, script, writing ,

Joey Tuccio

The latest in a series of interviews with script readers and consultants who would be worth your while to work with if you want to get your script in shape. Today’s spotlight is on Joey Tuccio of Roadmap Writers.

1. What’s the last thing you read/watched that you thought was incredibly well-written?

I was going to try to be fancy and say NIGHTCRAWLER or GONE GIRL but I really, really like the series BROAD CITY. Though I’m sure some of it is improvised, I get really inspired by writers that create their own content, which is exactly what these two girls did. And now they have their own show.

2. How’d you get your start reading scripts?

I used to read for a ton of production companies to get my foot in the door. Suggestion to all aspiring writers: INTERN!

3. Is recognizing good writing something you think can be taught or learned?

You can be taught for sure.

4. What are the components of a good script?

Good question. There are so many variables, but it really comes down to characterization. Without that, the script has no heart and no connecting tissue. It all comes back to the character, which doesn’t necessarily mean the protagonist has to be the most complex character in the world. It just means the protagonist should be relatable, even if it connects with us in a dark way.

5. What are some of the most common mistakes you see?

Writers who think they’re ready before they are and jump in way too early. I’m an Italian New Yorker so I understand impatience, but you’ll spend more time trying to get traction if you rush. Take the craft seriously. An executive once said to me that most writers write as a hobby whether they know it or not. Don’t be that writer. An executive can smell it a mile away.

6. What story tropes are you just tired of seeing?

Female characters that are just used as visual trophies. When a dad character calls his son “son”. When a writer clearly gets bored halfway through their script and starts to incorporate bizarre twists to make it seem more engaging.

7. What are the 3 most important rules every writer should know?

-Keep it simple. Have a throughline and stay on that track.

-Make sure you relate to the characters. Don’t write something just because you think an audience will love it. YOU have to love it.

-Make sure you proofread your work and have other people do so before you show anybody. Executives will pass if there are too many typos.

8. Have you ever read a script that was an absolute, without-a-doubt “recommend”?  If so, could you give the logline?

Yes, but it’s a client’s, so I can’t say what it is, but I can say it was a low budget psychological contained horror that got him signed almost instantly.

9. How do you feel about screenwriting contests? Worth it or not?

There are 2 billion screenwriting contests out there. See what the prizes are and who the judges are. See who’s willing to attach their name to a contest before submitting. Too many times writers submit to contests just for the ego boost of placing, and nearly all the time it doesn’t mean anything besides just that. If you’re a writer, then you’re a business owner in your own right. Be a businessperson and be smart with the steps you take.

10. How can people get in touch with you to find out more about the services you provide?

Email me at joey@roadmapwriters.com.

11. Readers of this blog are more than familiar with my love/appreciation of pie. What’s your favorite kind?

Pecan pie with vanilla ice cream!

Trying times, indeed

Maximum Z analysis, anxiety, blog, confidence, coverage, criticism, feedback, networking, obstacles, perseverance, screenwriting, script, self-confidence, spec, story, storytelling, stress, writing
an apt metaphor if ever there was one
An apt metaphor if ever there was one

You know how they say you’ve got to endure a whole lot of ‘no’s until you get that single magical ‘yes’?

Well, another ‘no’ was added to the pile this week in the form of a “Pass” rating from an industry professional regarding my western spec. And to make it that much better, the “Pass” was applied to both script and writer. Apparently my skills didn’t pass muster, either.

They didn’t have many positive things to say, and I’m not going to say their comments were right or wrong. There may be a lot of helpful info in their coverage, but in the end it’s just their opinion.

A few people offered up a similar reaction:  This is ONE PERSON’s opinion. People will always find fault with your work. The next person may think it’s great. Keep trying. Don’t give up.

Point is: you never become completely immune to criticism.

Was I being a little delusional in my hopes that they’d really like it? I knew they wouldn’t claim it was the best script ever, but even a “Hey, this has potential” would have been nice.

Was I laboring under some false sense of optimism? Was I letting my excitement and enthusiasm get in the way of being totally objective?

Even more so, despite reassurances from friends and trusted colleagues, have I been fooling myself all this time in thinking I actually have talent?

How could anyone in this situation not think along these lines?

Let’s consider my confidence shaken and definitely weakened, but not totally gone. It still stings a bit, but I’ll survive.

And almost as if exactly on cue, later in the day came these two totally unsolicited comments from online connections:

“With the credibility you have with contest wins and that fabulous blog, I’m astonished you’re unproduced.”

“I wanted to say a big fat THANK YOU for your comments on my script! I couldn’t have done it without you. THANKS AGAIN!”

Maybe there’s hope for me yet.

Another chapter comes to an end

Maximum Z comedy, feedback, loglines, networking, public forums, screenwriting, script, spelling, stakes, story, writing
Thus my ongoing journey goes on...
Thus my ongoing journey goes on…

It all started with a website designed specifically for getting feedback on your logline.  In concept, a great idea. You post your logline, other writers let you know what they think of it and how it could possibly be improved.

On this site, there are a handful of commenters who offer their thoughts on pretty much every single entry (a lot of which, I have to admit, are very poorly written. Hence the seeking out of feedback).

Earlier this week, on a total whim, I posted the logline for my Chinese restaurant script. No intention of changing it. Just wanted to see what people thought.

To refresh your memory, here it is again: A Caucasian chef in a struggling family-run Chinese restaurant takes on a sleazy powerhouse competitor determined to shut it down.

Perfect? Of course not. Does it need work? Sure. But the rewrite of this script is an extremely low-priority item, so I’m not that worried about it.

And the reaction?

Lo and behold, a grand total of two comments from two of the usual suspects.

The first substituted “humble” for “Caucasian”, then suggested I describe what it is they do to save the restaurant.

Pass.

The second said that the stakes should be “hire” (sic). How does the main character change over the course of the story? (this one I can understand) Could I add a ticking time bomb element (a particular favorite of this commenter’s)? Was it a comedy (“Sounds like Dodgeball, but with restaurants.”)?

And the one that really sealed the deal for me – “Success or failure of a restaurant is not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.” Besides the fact that any family who owns a struggling restaurant would probably want to bash your head in for such a statement, you’re saying the story’s not important enough?

Words fail me. It’s almost as if they’re working off a checklist. And misspelling a common word like “higher” severely damages your credibility.

Pass to the Nth degree.

So that’s it. I’m done. While I may occasionally pop in to look around, I definitely will not be seeking opinions from this site ever again and instead rely on my network of friends and trusted colleagues to tell me what I’m doing wrong.

Isn’t this tuff enough already?

Maximum Z action, characters, dialogue, editing, Ernest Lehman, grammar, networking, plot, proofreading, reading, screenwriting, script, spelling, writing ,
Proudly serving the public trust
Proudly serving the public trust

As a screenwriter, there’s a very long list of things to cover to make sure your script really works.

Story. Characters and their arcs. Theme. Plot. Dialogue. Action.

With awl of that going on, who has thyme to pay attention too such trivial things like weather or knot a word in you’re script is spelled correctly?

See what I mean? Misspelled words are distracting and unprofessional. And these are just homonyms. Getting into stuff like “loose-lose” is part of another issue altogether.

“No problem,” you say. “I’ll just use spellcheck to fix it.”

For the love of Ernest Lehman, don’t. Spellcheck is not a cure-all. It knows spelling, not context. As far as spellcheck is concerned, every word in that sentence above is as it should be.

One or two typos in a 110-page script are understandable, but you don’t want more than that. There are many out there more than willing to pass on your script if the number of misspelled words keeps increasing.

Not sure if your spelling is up to snuff? Ask a fellow writer. Nobody’s going to think any less of you for it. Chances are their editing/proofreading skills are what you need, and they’re probably more than happy to help. Just make sure to offer to help them with their material as well.

Not everybody is a good speller, but it’s something easily fixable. Truth be told, even some of my scripts, despite my vigilance, have contained (gasp!) the occasional typo.

Emphasis on “occasional”.

Something to tide you over

Maximum Z blog, goals, networking, outlines, pilot, screenwriting, script, story, storytelling, television, Tracking Board, writing
Not THAT kind of tide
Not that kind of tide

I’m neck-deep in catching up with reads owed on scripts and pilots, as well as trying to finish up the outline for the low-budget comedy, so time is quite a precious commodity at the moment.

But since this blog is all about offering up high-quality material, here are two links definitely worth checking out:

-A cover story from the Nov 1 Los Angeles Times about MARLOWE, a great script written by Louise Ransil. If you like film noir, true crime and hard-boiled detective stories, then take a look here. The script was also a semifinalist in the 2013 Tracking Board Launchpad competition.

-If you’re trying to break into the TV industry, take the time to explore Fighting Broke, a new website that offers up some very helpful advice and insight in doing just that.