Thanks for this post, I just started following Julie's site, and there is a lot of great information, tricks, motivation and advice.

And her reply of, "you really need to nail all three elements, concept, characters, tight structure." Couldn't be more true.

Independent producers say they independent filmmaking is dead.

What need do they have for a script?

But I will add I love Julie's advice and blog. Haven't used Script Department for notes yet, but plan to in the future.

@Jim: Actually I think we may be on the front edge of a renaissance of indie films. One of the big issues hindering that market has been distribution. Since the major studios have tied up over 95% of theaters in U.S. & Canada, there's little room for indie films. But check this out:

WorkBook Project
http://workbookproject.com/

DIYDays
http://diydays.com/

Indie filmmakers creating non-traditional routes for distribution that actually generate enough revenues to make a profit. If that gets licked, then there's no reason anybody can't make indie movies and get them in front of people.

Scott, don't get why you promote these people. You're a successful writer and a teacher. She's a scam artist who gives her victims a spoonful of sugar so they'll keep coming back for more notes.

@ Scott

I hope so. I have been following that whole DIY movement for a year now. So far, no one has been able to come up with a solid business model.

I hope that things shake out. I really want independents to have more of an outlet for their work. Especially if it means more control over their vision.

But filmmaking is expensive and people need to eat. It takes about 3 years from beginning to end to make a film. At just $35,000 a year salary, plus $50k for a no budget film -- that is $150,000 you are going to have to make off self distribution for your little movie. That is a tough sell.

Plus, that script at 3% WGA rate would net the writer $1500. Ouch.

The good news is everything comes and goes in cycles. A couple years from now indie films and spec scripts will be hot again.

At least I hope so.

@Karen - Totally disagree. Julie's a class act who knows what she's talking about. I wouldn't have agreed to do the tele-class if I thought otherwise.
- Jason Scoggins

And if Scott doesn't mind a little scamming of my own, the correct link for my new service is http://www.itsonthegrid.com. There's info there as well as on the free section of the site, http://blog.itsonthegrid.com.

(Feel free to delete this if you think it's uncool, Scott.)

@scoggins: Jason, I don't know how, but I hadn't updated my List with It's On The Grid. I just did.

@Karen: In my experience, Julie has been a strong, consistent presence in the online screenwriting conversation. Month after month, she has written daily posts offering insight into a professional script reader's / story analyst's world view as well as solid advice about the screenwriting process.

Every writer is different, every story is different, every teacher is different. As each of us goes about learning the craft, we encounter this voice or that, these ideas or that. Some fit, some don't. My advice is to take what works for you, set the rest aside. Per that sage philosopher Paul Simon, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor."

Everything I've read by or heard about Julie has been positive. If what she says or I say or anybody else says doesn't resonate, move on. There's always something to learn, either about the writing process or through the writing process.

Great post. Shows that the blog world is a small place. Been at Julie's for awhile. Would use her services. If I could finish some more scripts. :-)

Have had profound discourse from a lot of her posts.

Just tryin to effin entertain.