I ask this on another writing blog and got the proverbial bitch-slap as the only constructive feedback so I will give it a whirl here. What is it they say about insanity (expecting a different result after the same action?) I am new to writing with a couple of projects in the notebook/file. I was wondering if anyone knows of a service that allows individuals to post life experiences in the form of a CV like document and pairs that resource pool to writers looking for specific expertise to flesh out details in or within a specific genre/project. RFI is purely in the vein of a technical consultant/collaborator or even as a sounding board. Thanks and cheers, Wes…

Simple formatting question: I have an overall scene where four women family members are individually and privately having their fortunes read by a fortune teller using Tarot cards. Basically it's broken down into 4 sequential sub-scenes, that are supposed to look the same, except that one of the women is replaced by the next. Do I use a simple cut to: transition and a slug line, or should I use a match cut to: to indicate that these 4 sub-scenes happen in the same room?

Wes, I saw your post on Bitter Reader's blog, and in the responder's defense, your question did come across as being a little "how do I get cutsies?". Anyway, you could try http://www.thetechnicaladvisor.com/ or http://www.militarytechadvisor.com/ Otherwise there are a number of forums such as Done Deal, or filmmaker.com where you can volunteer your services to people making low budget features or shorts. Google is your friend, here. I'm not a screenwriting professional, but I guess the tone of any advice you'd receive would be that as with screenwriting, if you pay your dues, and are truly any good and easy to work with, people will seek you out.

PtE, Thanks for the links and other sources – checking them out. Much appreciated, Wes…

I was actually just hoping you'd do reader questions again, 'cause I've actually got one! I scanned through the list and saw a similar one about how much can you take from real life scenarios and not get sued, but I was wondering if, more specifically, I met someone who is downright biopic material and wanted to copy their life completely (well, mostly), would I have to get their life rights or something? I don't really even know what that means, I've just heard the term thrown around before. Seriously, this guy's life sounds incredible, and I actually haven't even met him yet, I'm just hearing it second hand. I feel like it's a story that could write itself, so if half the work's done for me, you bet I'm jumping on that.

This is great. Yes I have lots of questions - but will go for just one right now. It's kind of vague, but I see some of the previous questions are, too, so: What about mid-points? I feel like I have got a really good handle on the Three-Act structure, and the two main turning points that take us from one act to the next - both timing of them, and what they should do or achieve. But I feel a bit muddled about mid-points. It seems some films have them, some don't. Sometimes viewers/readers may disagree about exact which plot point actually was the mid-point. Sometimes the supposed mid-point if not really near the middle at all. I find the 8-sequence structural breakdown really useful (e.g. http://thescriptlab.com/screenwriting/structure/the-sequence/45-the-eight-sequences). But according to this structure, the mid-point should reflect the story's ending, i.e. if it is a happy ending the mid-point should be happy; if it is a tragedy the mid-point should be sad, or low. My current work-in-progress is a tragedy... but the scene that I can best identify as my mid-point is actually happy. I think that works fine, for the story I am writing... but it doesn't fit well with thescriptlab's structure. So my question is vague, I know - but just asking for general thoughts or comments about mid-points. Thank you!

One more question. How do I get my screenplay to flow properly? I'm working on a drama, right now, and while I'm happy with the overall structure and beats, in some places it seems to jump from one scene to the next in a disjointed manner, which is to say that those scenes don't lead naturally into each other.

Scott, What is your take on using the infamous: ‘in the vein of…’ (or something akin) when submitting queries? For example, I use the following for one of my specs: Scorpio Cruise is Falling Down meets Taken. I have heard/read that most Hollywood types believe it to be amateurish, while others feel it gives the reader a better sense of the story. Thoughts? Keep Writing! Mike