Hey Scott,

I have a couple high concept scripts I plan on submitting to some management companies (that read unsolicited material) for representation.

I am out here in L.A. and was actually thinking of bringing them in person as a way of establishing personal connection rather than a blind query.

Is this a big NO-NO, or if I play my cards right, is this a plausible scenario?

Thank you!

No comments yet, but I love the website!!

I'm writing a drama, in what Linda Aronson calls a "multiple protagonist narrative" style and my script comes in at 110 pages.

So far so good, and I'm happy with my character development, but while I'm pacing my overall structure using my A story, my first act comes in at a short 22 pages (and when I rewrite, it'll probably end up shorter).

I know Snyder likes to hit the 2nd act by page 25, but I feel that maybe I've overdone it a little.

What are the perils of making the first act too short, and how short can I get away with it being?

Hey Scott - congrats on the new site! I love it. I recently had a falling out with my manager. I have a script he'd developed with me, and he tells me now that he will demand a producer credit if I ever sell it (he is partner in a management/production company, but my contract with him was only for management services). My lawyer tells me he has no claim on chain of title and that copyright law is clear. Other writers tell me that he can make a big enough stink that other prod-co's and studios will not want to touch it. Am I screwed with this script? What are your thoughts? Thanks, Jack

My question is similar to #4. How can you avoid agents, managers or consultants from attaching themselves to your script? Or a producer who is only interested in attaching himself to the script?

You may have already tackled this somewhere, but what are some tips for effective and engaging query letters/emails. Besides of course a great Log Line...

I'm writing a contained thriller that involves a number of people being trapped in a single location (a diner), firstly by a storm and then by, well, the antagonist. And having seven or eight people trapped in a single location is killing me! I have to find a way to get Person A to go to the bathroom so Persons B & C can speak in private, I have to send people off to check on this and investigate that, or to lose their temper and flounce out... I feel like I'm moving them around like chess pieces in an attempt to create movement, variety and discrete scenes out of the situation. Any tips on how to manage a story with a compressed timescale and the cast trapped in a few rooms without it turning into theatre?

Interesting questions. I will start to take these up and others I've received via email beginning next Monday, September 12. And for those who are clicking through, feel free to add your questions here.

You've been through the trenches so I hope you can shed a little light on the subject. If a manager -- (I don't query agents) Responds with, "the writing is great," (happens every time) Then -- "I just didn't fall in love with the story, at least not enough to champion." What do you do? I get this -- each and every time in some shape form or fashion -- With no notes of course. (And yes... I do realize not every story is right for every person.) But if I knew "management-eese" I would know what to do next -- But I don't. Keep throwing it out there waiting for those "right" two eyes? I'm in limbo not knowing if I should rewrite or leave it alone and query my ass away in hopes for one... "I like it." Like I'd mentioned, I receive NO feedback. And if I did, I could deal. I'm my own worst critic (think Howard Gordon) and I can handle it -- I'm forty-one-and-a-half. Just tell me if the story stinks -- "It's not for me" or "pass" does nothing to help either improve or scrap the story. And yes I get it -- They're busy... But I work all day -- write all night then get up and do it all over again -- seven days a week -- so the "overworked" thing from LA -- I think aspiring writers win -- bleeding eyes, crumpled fingers and all. So with that I say... Dear managers: Help me... help you. Okay Scott not really a question just looking for insight. Hope I'm not the only bait out here on a hook waiting for a nibble.