SCREENPLAY CONSULTATION

Did you just finish your first draft or your third? Congratulations! You get one shot to make the right impression in a town where they stop reading after the first typo or format issue. Your talent is as important as your attitude and work ethic and it takes all three to standout in a very competitive marketplace. When you consider approximately 30,000 - 40,000 scripts/treatments/pitches/loglines and books are registered every year with the Writers Guild, you have to be writing at a professional level to beat the incredible odds. The only real competition should be with yourself to become a better screenwriter, but if you have any doubts about your screenplay, now is the perfect time to receive professional consultation before you unleash your magnum opus upon Hollywood.

I'm a working screenwriter/script consultant with over fifteen years of professional experience and credits in television movies and independent features. I've been blessed to work and collaborate with some top professionals in Hollywood and many became my friends and mentors. In this spirit of giving back, I offer professional analysis of your feature or TV pilot script to help push it to the next level. What I don't offer are promises to know what the studios are buying today (nobody truly knows). My screenwriter consultation services and screenwriting blog have regularly been featured in Script Magazine (my blog was Website pick of the Week), on The Story Department Daily, The Arc, Film and Media, The Scriptwriting Daily, and The Writer's Journal Daily.

If your feature script or TV pilot needs help, my real-world experience and insights can help you bring your project to the next level. Your screenwriting career is not some Dali-esque delusion, but the result of work, talent, focus, sacrifice, patience and luck.

Please browse this website and the HOME page for more information about my upcoming workshops and webinars, my bio and links to my movie trailers and my screenwriting blog "My Blank Page", the FILMOGRAPHY page for my credits, and the REEL page for my writing reel.

Screenplay Analysis/Editing/Proofreading package includes:

In-depth analysis of the style, concept, story, structure, characters and dialogue.

Detailed notes (5-10 pages) with page specific references and comprehensive suggestions on revisions to help fix the trouble spots in all aspects of the screenplay.

One screenplay edit focusing on the details of standard formatting and proofreading for spelling, typos, grammar, and format. E-mail me your script in Final Draft or Celtx and I’ll edit directly using the “revision mode” and E-mail it back. The script can not be written in WORD as a text document. Script must also be as close to proper Hollywood standard format as possible (this is not a formatting course).

     Script package above: $155 (Screenplays over 120 pages—$2 extra per page)
     Script edit/proofing only: $80 (Screenplays over 110 pages—$1.00 extra per page)
     Short screenplays: $45 (Under 25 pages)
     TV pilots—sitcom or hour long: $80 (No more than 65 pages)

All payments to made to PayPal upfront under the E-mail name: mark@fiveoclockblue.net
Two days to one week turnaround depending on my work schedule.

CONTACT ME AT: mark@fiveoclockblue.net for more information and to receive your FREE copy of two disciplines that I teach in my workshops: "Top 10 Daily Habits of a Professional Screenwriter" and my "Top 20 Steps to Follow After You Type: FADE OUT—THE END."

I look forward to helping you to get your script in the best shape ever.

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” —Stephen King

"A professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him. He apprentices himself to them." —Steven Pressfield, "The War of Art"

"Only you know the hard work, sacrifices and time it took to reach this level of your career. Surround yourself with like-minded people who truly champion your overall screenwriting goals and not just support you for one project. Remember this always—it’s your career.”—Scriptcat

Client testimonials...

"There are many "script consultants" out there. Many of them are more concerned about enhancing their careers than about you as a writer. What I look for is one who has the professionalism and experience to see what I can't see in a script—to be my second set of eyes and give me feedback that I can use to enhance my story. Mark Sanderson read my script three times in a matter of days and provided an overview and detailed page notes with very practical and thought-out suggestions to enhance the script. You want someone who will take the time and personal interest to care about your work and about you as a writer. No matter how experienced one may be, having that supportive feedback means a lot in this journey. Thank you, Mark!" — Britta Reque-Dragicevic, screenwriter of "Restoration"

"I've used a few script consultant services now and I can say without hesitation that Mark's was the most valuable. While others were helpful in providing useful feedback on a certain component or area of my script, Mark's notes felt truly comprehensive. I've incorporated his ideas to improve everything from general format/readability to the actual comedic elements. I look forward to getting my next script to a point where I'm ready to leverage Mark's insight and guidance once again." — Carey Dunn, screenwriter of "Materminated"

"Mark's gift lies in the fact that he's not only able to supply you with remarkably on-target insight and suggestions, but he's also able to inspire you to find a deeper and better version of your script. He understands your script, its strengths and weaknesses, and emboldens you to find the hidden genius within your own vision."—Paul Schattel, writer/director "Your Ass Is Grass"

"I was hesitant about getting a screenplay consultation, because you hear a lot of mixed reviews. I'm so glad I did. Mark was the best thing to happen to my script. He gives really comprehensive and detailed advice. He found issues that I didn't even know existed, and really helped me get to the essence of my story. I'm pretty certain I couldn't have gotten to that point without him. The dude knows his stuff. I look forward to working with him on my next project."—Rayna White, screenwriter of "It's Who You Know"

"Mark's notes were right on the money. He sees a movie in a script, no matter how good or bad it is and brings out the best it can be. I am fortunate my screenplay passed through his surgical mind. Thanks, Mark for making me happy with my words, my screenplay, my baby."—Njedeh Anthony Ebinum, screenwriter of "Mind Crawlers"

"I couldn't be more pleased with Mark's critique of my script. He's thorough, smart, knowledgeable, detailed, passionate, experienced, encouraging, talented, and affordable. What else could you possibly want in a script consultant?"—Jeff Thomas, screenwriter of "Cuda"

"After reading through Mark’s notes, it felt like I had participated in an intensive screenwriting workshop. He gave me so much insight into the process and provided helpful suggestions on how to improve my script. I have incorporated many of his ideas and am pleased with the final draft. Thank you Mark for helping me take "Between Land and Sea" to the next level."—Joanne Guidoccio, screenwriter of "Between Land and Sea"

"Mark has the ability to take an idea and mold it into an amazing story that touches others. With years of creating great work, he has a grand insight into consulting on screenplays that is a true gift. My recent consulting experience with Mark has resulted in personal growth as a screenplay writer and a stronger screenplay then I could have ever imagined. I am proud to say Mark Sanderson is my mentor and an amazing teacher." —Faith Fay, screenwriter of "Game On"

"Your suggestions and notes were very, very, very insightful and helpful. They were so thorough and every point made sense. You didn't just outline problems, but you suggested solutions to the problems which I admired. After completing these changes, I read through my script again and it reads much, much stronger. There were points you brought up that I hadn't even though of before or knew much about. Your service was worth every dime and I will be using you from here on out. THANK YOU once again! I owe you an Oscar speech!" —Justin Bamforth, screenwriter of
"The Collectors"

"Mark's analysis exceeded my expectations on every aspect of my screenplay. I needed a pair of new eyes, professional eyes, that could help me realize the true story behind my first draft. Now that my "first draft fugue" has cleared, I understand not only what my screenplay has been trying to convey, but how to convey it. I am now beginning to sense what a true re-write consists of, but I couldn't be happier with the clarity and precision of which Mark's notes have guided me. Thanks a million!"
—Will Stockton, screenwriter of "The Laugh Crafter"

"I wrote a feature comedy, but it turned out to be 274 pages when I finished it. After Mark came in, he taught me all about making a script "lean & mean." In the end after his editing, the script came in at 102 pages. The Scriptcat really knows his stuff.” — Brad Grunberg, screenwriter of "Final Exam"

“This was my second time to reach out for a professional’s opinion. Your review, by far, was the most constructive and insightful. Well worth the money! Having feedback from someone who has already been there and done that is important to those of us who are amateur writers and do it for the joy of writing and creativity. Of course, we all have the dream of one day bringing the characters to life. Thank you for the detailed advice to improve my sitcom.” —Chris Parman, screenwriter of “Tulsa’s Crude”

"Mark’s feedback helped me break bad writing habits that I didn’t even know I had. The level of detail provided in his coverage made me understand where the problems were and how to fix them. He pointed out strengths in the script and not just weaknesses, which was a real morale booster. I was also amazed that he read the script more than once, which is above and beyond most coverage services."—Carrie Wachob, screenwriter of "Hunters"

“Mark gave me great notes. Being a professional screenwriter, he knows the industry standards and gives not only advice that you would get from taking a screenwriting class, but also an experienced industry perspective. A very reasonable, reliable and helpful guy.” — Nick Josephs, screenwriter of "As the Crow Flies"

"Thank you for handing me the insight to to turn a good script into a great, exciting one. After using your notes and with any luck, my 'Legend of Sweet Revenge' will give me a shot at the proverbial 'Hollywood - Brass Ring.' I'm excited. Thank you, Mark." — Frankie Carbone, screenwriter of "Legend of Sweet Revenge."

"For anyone who is looking for a professional writer and script doctor, I would highly recommend Mark. I'd say, if you are looking for a professional writer to walk that extra mile with you on your script, look no further! My script is based in India and he knew my story and the characters as well as I do. He is extremely dedicated and into his work." — Earl Reginhard, screenwriter of "Zia"

"When I came to Mark with my screenplay I was stuck. I knew that it was too long, but wasn't sure where to begin cutting. Mark's advice was exactly on the money. Not only did he steer me in the right direction to get it where it needs to be, but he also gave me the feedback that I wasn't getting by having my friends read the script. Thanks!" — Tony Jones, screenwriter of "Chuck My Life"

"Mark has been a tremendous help to me. With the advice he gave me, I was able to make my script tighter, pacier and more how I envisaged the finished version to be. Suffice to say I now have one script with a producer and another has made the quarter finals of a screenwriting contest. I attribute the speed of both successes to having followed Mark's advice. Thank you, Mark." — Hilary MacKelden, UK screenwriter/playwright of "Barabbas" and "Sammy"