I live in Los Angeles with my wife. I am a professional movie studio Reader, Teacher, Writer and private Story Consultant with 10+ years experience focusing full-time on the craft and business of screenplays. My employers have included Miramax Films, Dimension Films, Twentieth Century Fox, New Line Cinema, Polygram Filmed Entertainment and Clinica Estetico -- I worked for executives who developed the films Chicago, Ulee's Gold, Spy Kids, Scream 2 & 3, and Chocolat, among others. I have written over 450 coverages on the job. I am a published writer in Script magazine. I have taught screenwriting and story analysis at four educational institutions. I have worked with over 400 private clients as a Story Consultant since 1998. I am a paid screenwriter. I have a B.F.A. in Film and Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. This is my full-time job, not just a side venture. I’m excited to work with you!
Read a review of my services in SCRIPT MAGAZINE.
See my Client Raves and Testimonials
page.
"On the Job" Training
Not every Reader gets called in to read the "A" material. On the job as a Story Analyst, I was fortunate enough to read several high-priority screenplays and books — some projects that became produced films like The Sixth Sense, Cold Mountain, Memoirs of a Geisha, Beloved, The Faculty, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Someone like You, Titus, Ten Things I Hate About You and many that never made it through the very difficult development process. I was called in to consult on high-profile books by major authors like John Grisham, Pat Conroy and Elmore Leonard, to name a few — and I have consulted on scripts and books with top talent attached — stars like Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez and Pierce Brosnan.
(Please see the Why Hire
Me page for lists of screenplays and books that I’ve read on the
job.)
My Passion{back to top}
I can honestly say that screenwriting is my number one passion, and
I believe that doing written story analysis is the greatest tool for
learning the craft. Through years of work and independent study, I have
developed my own method of narrative construction and deconstruction
which I call "Story Maps."
This set of tools can analyze any story and locate where it is or isn’t
working to its full potential.
I have published articles in Script magazine (you can read them on the Tips page: M. Night Shyamalan, Voice, Story Maps, and Central Dramatic Question).
I live in West Hollywood in the heart of all things entertainment and I am always networking with contacts in the industry in Los Angeles.
Clients and Methodology
I have been working directly with writers for over 10 years. I really enjoy private consultation and believe that I have a talent for teaching and ‘coaching’ writers. My clients always give me glowing reviews — in fact a number of them have told me they had hired other consultants previous to me, and were surprised at how much more specific and detailed insight I had provided them on the very same script.
My broad range of clients have represented all ages, walks of life and ethnicities. As for occupation, my clients have included entertainment industry professionals such as major studio rewrite doctors, visual effects professionals, actors, producers, crew members and TV staff writers. Other professions of my clients include teacher, mortgage broker, dentist, heart surgeon, art dealer, caterer, engineer, grad student, p.r. writer, marketing guru, computer programmer, postal worker, jewelry salesman and even a professional boxer. My international clients have hailed from all over the globe, including Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, Italy, Morocco, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand and Turkey!
I created Act Four Screenplays to help screenwriters improve their work and boost its chances of getting into the right professional hands without getting lost in the difficult development system. I also give an honest and practical assessment of a script’s commercial potential, with clear suggestions on how to boost that aspect. This is a tough business and major studio and agency Readers reject 90% of submissions. My clients pay me good money and in turn I always give them a direct and practical analysis. I am supportive and encouraging, but I can also be a tough coach. You deserve no less.
I have helped clients to improve their stories and get them into the hands of major production companies and agents as well as place in and win screenwriting contests. I have forwarded scripts to studio contacts and they’ve sent them out for coverage. I have worked with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of writing experience. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with many clients for whom English is not their native language. Here's some Client Raves and Testimonials .
Teaching{back to top}
I really enjoy teaching group Classes online and onsite on the fundamentals of screenwriting, screenplay analysis, and the business of story development. I’ve taught at The New School University, The Learning Annex, The Seminar Center and Cabrillo College Extension. I am enjoying my Online Classes as a fantastic way to put together screenwriters in varied locations with the common goal of developing a new script.
Screenwriter
I am also a screenwriter. I have been hired on several rewrite assignments and written several original spec screenplays (nothing produced, as of yet). I run an exclusive online network of serious screenwriters named "The Writers' Building" (here). I try to find as much time as possible to work on my own scripts and I consider it an essential element of being the best teacher I can be to also practice the craft. My experience with screenwriting allows me to understand a script from the writer's side as well as the buyer's side; both perspectives are crucial in helping you to improve your work. And believe me, I know that it's tough to receive notes on your own work so I sympathize with my clients!
My message to you
I’d just like to say that I applaud you for having the courage to write your heart and send it out the door to people like myself and anyone else. I know that writing is extremely difficult and exhausting; I know that we writers walk around all day saying to ourselves: "I should be writing right now." It’s a tough life. I am always supportive and encouraging of fellow writers. I can relate to you as a screenwriter because I’ve written screenplays myself and read so many.
What I’m not
I want to make a few things clear: I'm not an agent or a producer; I
choose to function in the role of adviser rather
than making false promises of selling your work to Hollywood. I’m a
coach, not a broker. This may help explain my approach.
My Services and More Background
Please look over the list of my Story Consultation Services; if you don’t find one that’s a perfect fit for you, we can develop a package just for you, so feel free to email me.
If you’re comparing my services to that of another consultant, check out Why Hire Me?
If you'd like more information about choosing a Screenwriting Coach, check out my four-part article: "Those Who Teach" Choosing a Screenwriting Coach. For some Success Stories and Testimonials from clients, see Raves and Testimonials.
I’m excited to work with you!
-Daniel Calvisi