Act Four Screenplays


RAVES AND TESTIMONIALS!

on this page:

I.  RAVES about my Clients!
II.  Consultation/Coaching Testimonials
III. Classes Testimonials


I. RAVES!

Big Congratulations to my former client David Loucka for scoring two major studio deals in the past two years -- “Dreamhouse,” a spec thriller was purchased by Universal for 600k against $1 million, and his pitch “Boat House”, an erotic horror thriller, was bought by Dimension Films.  Both scripts have Ehren Kruger attached to produce.  (note: Loucka was already a studio script doctor when he came to me for notes on two of his previous scripts.)

Anthony Furlong optioned his Thriller to an experienced producer and they went out to two major directors.

Ken Solarz (CSI:NY, Supercross, City of Industry) went out with his new Thriller after my notes and got  interest from Fox and Sony.

Jeffrey Freedman has sold his period drama spec “Vivaldi” and the film is now independently financed and set to shoot starring Joseph Fiennes in the titular role as the famous composer (Jacqueline Bisset, Malcolm MacDowell, and Gérard Depardieu round out the cast).

Mike McGeever’s comedy spec “Smilers” has placed in or won multiple contests.

Brigitte Cunningham’s historical epic attracted serious consideration from one of the biggest directors in the world (hint: he’s French).

Steve Lyons has attracted interest for his period drama from an indie producer in New York City.

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II. CONSULTATION/COACHING TESTIMONIALS

“I don’t think my agent or her readers could have given even a hair’s breadth of the insight that you offered.   In fact, they were pretty much done giving me notes, I was on an island...I really understood your Master Consultation notes better after reading your Story Maps Primer a couple times.  It really helps organize the writing process...You taught me a great macro lesson about my writing:  I need to head toward (escalating) conflict and drama...I really appreciated that in some places you pointed out problems, and even suggested solutions.  Thank you.”
- Alex E., repped novelist and new screenwriter.

“Once again you demonstrate your UNCANNY SKILL for zeroing in on unclear thinking that leads to plot weakness!  Your points immediately clarified some things for me -- lightbulbs are clicking on all over the place.”
- C. Michelle Kaplan, produced screenwriter and playwright (client of consultations and online classes)

“Just wanted to thank you for a terrific job. Everything you said rang very true. I love the food for thought that you posed...perfect and so right on. Thanks again! 
Sincerely, Cindy G.

“Dear Dan, 
Congratulations. Your story map which I followed for the rewriting of "The Message” is certainly the MOST POWERFUL TOOL I have ever used and heard of.  It has helped my laziness, my lack of confidence and all my troubles.  Thank you again.”
All the best, Brigitte C.

“Just wanted to thank you for the constructive thoughts on my logline.  Interest in my logline on Inktip.com went up drastically and I have a company interested in reading the script. Several others have read the synopsis, since changing the logline.”
Kiven H.

“Hey Dan,
Your notes on my screenplay are most helpful and organized.  WOW!  The format of your review is invaluable...I see where I can do better and have already thought of ideas to bring "Page 90 to page 20" so-to-speak...I know there are too many side stories...I'll focus on the spine during my rewrite as you suggested...I like your 12 Crucial Questions Page scoring.  That lets me know how a story analyst would view the story as they read.”
Godspeed,  Mark K.

“Hi Dan:
Just wanted to thank you for your input on my screenplay. It's been through revisions since that time, and I've begun submitting it to screenplay contests. It was named one of fifty finalists in the Red Inkworks competition (#22), and I'm waiting to hear from a few more.  Thank you also for the coaching on my pitch.  Look forward to working with you again.”
Best Regards, Michael M.

“I just wanted to say you have a great website. The other day I spent a lot of time on your site and you have a wealth of information on it - all great stuff. I love your use of actual screenplays to drive your points.”
Best, Alan C.

“Thanks so much for your multiple rounds of notes on “Smilers.”  “Smilers” is now the 9th most successful romantic comedy screenplay in terms of contest results, according to Moviebytes.  It placed in the top 30 in Scriptapalooza (beating out 3950+ other scripts).   And thanks for all the feedback on my two other scripts.”
-Mike M.

“Last weekend, I returned from a Robert Mckee seminar in Vegas feeling both inspired and deflated all at once.  I was feeling sorry for myself tonight and ran a search with the phrase, "Screenwriters who don't give up." Your essay, "Don't give up" popped up first thing. I wasn't looking for a motivational piece but rather something that would reaffirm for me just how stupid it is to hang on by a mere thread of faith/hope!  After reading your essay, I read all your pages and felt I wanted to write and thank you. Something (everything) clicked for me.  Thank you so much.”
-Stephanie L.

“Thanks for all your feedback, analysis and comments.  I received your hardcopy notes on my script today...It was a big time reality check...I guess I kind of view it as my "baby"...and I would like to try and see how I can improve it.  I will look forward to speaking with you down the road, after I have had a chance to dedicate some real time to absorbing your analysis and applying it to my script.  Thanks again Dan.”
Regards, Mark K.

“I have to say this exercise (Story Mapping the X-Men films) was really beneficial for me, as it made me think of the stories in a more structured way - this was better than merely reading Syd Field.”
-Nina T.

"Dan,
What can I say about your method, it works to the minute!  I'd tried using [another consultant’s] beat sheets to do some analysis.  Although I found some practical usefulness in them, the sheets didn't really do much for me in terms of giving a fully rounded picture of the script.  But...it's your combination of all the areas - e.g. logline/engine/protag/ending and the map itself that really makes it easier to approach and I think, gave me some new insight into one of my favorite films.  It's also a very unpreachy, un-didactic skim through those notes which is a blessing and you have a bit of leeway on timings, etc.  I notice that even the more offbeat films on your list seem to have a 'conventional' structure.  Interesting...”
Cheers! -Paul R.

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III. CLASSES TESTIMONIALS

On-line classes...

"I liked the fact that it was oriented toward the writing and that it was small and intimate enough that I knew I had to hold my end up."

"You always gave positive reinforcement that made me want to make the script even better."

"Honestly, the format was really great."

"Personally I like email rather than chats or forums."

"I was very happy with what I accomplished and am still moving forward on this script."

"I felt I really had a handle on what I needed after your input and that of my 'NOTES BUDDY'."

"Thanks so much for the feedback, great classes, and most of all the moral support. It's really good to have a person tell you what you can do to improve your work without bringing you down, adding stimulating thoughts and tips."

"Your notes were a great help and I used all of them to go back and make the necessary changes.  Thanks again!"

On-site classes...

"VERY HELPFUL - THANK YOU!  a tremendous amount of information presented in a painless format."

"Daniel was very knowledgeable on how to write a screenplay.  My time was very well spent."

"Very clear, thorough, Daniel knows his stuff.  Good communicator, works well with student questions."

"I appreciate the hand outs and all the additional information (much from personal experience) that he brought to the class.  There was so much great step by step info that I feel that I can use right away."

"I’m fired up about getting to work on my first screenplay!  Thanks."

Great offers for Coaching and Screenplay Consultation!


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