HOLLYWOODSCRIPT.COM NEWSLETTER
Craig Kellem
Hollywoodscript.com Newsletter, which is published by script
consultants Craig Kellem, Judy Kellem http://www.hollywoodscript.com
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please reply to this
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The purpose of this newsletter is to share information, ideas etc.
concerning the fascinating (and elusive) world of screenwriting.
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CRAIG HAS MOVED—(last time, I swear). Remaining in N.J. right across
the river from NYC. New address and phone # below. Email addresses
remain the same!
Craig Kellem
Hollywoodscript.com
Mandalay on The Hudson
20 Second Street
Apt. 204
Jersey City, N.J. 07302
201-918-6993 W: 201-918-6952. Email addresses remain the same.
craig....@valley.net, craig....@gmail.com
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*OUR MONTHLY SCREENWRITING CONTEST IS COOKING!!! 19 appears to be our
lucky number.
4/23/11
When I received notice I won Hollywoodscript.com’s Screenplay of the
Month contest I was over the moon, grateful and humbled. So far my
screenplay “NARCOSTATE” has received 19 INDUSTRY REQUESTS! Consulting
with Craig not only helped me develop my script, it’s also been
invaluable in developing my craft. Craig goes above and beyond to
help you get it right. There’s no doubt working with Craig is one of
the wisest decisions I’ve made because there’s no way I could have
figured it out on my own.
Sincerely,
Stephen Smith
*GREAT RESULTS FOR A RECENT CONTEST WINNER!!
“Submitting my script to Hollywoodscript.com for analysis is one of
the best decisions I’ve made as an aspiring screenwriter. Judy and
Craig are so approachable and, unlike some consultation services out
there, they always kept me informed with their excellent
communication. Not only did I receive extremely helpful feedback from
Judy, I was thrilled when I discovered I had won the monthly contest.
The prizes awarded to me have given my winning script “The Touch” a
huge amount of exposure and, so far, NINETEEN PRODUCERS AND
MANAGERS/AGENTS have requested the script. I couldn’t be happier with
the result and can’t recommend their services highly enough. I will
certainly be using them again.”
Naomi Lamont
*JUDY’S NEW WINNER (soon to be posted) COMING APART IN ITALIA
By Dyanne White and Alexia Murray
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USEFUL AND IMPORTANT ARTICLES
We’ve written many articles over the years and offer this valuable
info free to writers everywhere. All articles written by Craig and/or
Judy Kellem can found here:
http://www.hollywoodscript.com/articles.html
1. "Story, Story, Story.." by Craig Kellem (story is the name of the
game plus how to organize your script)
2. "Sharpening Your Hooks," by Judy Kellem (first impressions count a lot)
3. "The X-factor," by Judy Kellem and Craig Kellem (write from your
heart and then some)
4. "A Stacked Creative Deck," by Craig Kellem (think you have it hard?
Wait 'til you become a pro)
5. "Writing Between the Lines: The Power of Persona," by Judy Kellem
(the importance of narrative)
6. "Getting Read," by Craig Kellem
7. "Getting Started," by Craig Kellem
8. "My Script's Ready. Now What?" by Craig Kellem
9. "So Who Says You Can't Tell the Director What to Do?" by Craig
Kellem (the importance of using "stage directions")
10. "The Two Times Your Concept is Important." (think twice before you commit)
11. "Less Is Better."
12. "Revising for Dummies." by Craig Kellem
13. "Scenes As Concepts." by Craig Kellem and Judy Kellem (each and
every scene needs both story and INTRINSIC value)
14. "Getting Out of Gaslights." by Judy Kellem (solidity and
consistency instead of confusion)
15. "Let's Get Personal" by Craig Kellem
16. "Layering." (adding action to sedentary scenes)
17. "Gotta Know When To Show 'em." (don't be afraid to drop some clues
along the way)
18. "A Thought About Queries."
19. "The Art Of Cutting."
20. "The Dreaded Art of Pitching"
21. "Less Is Always More" by Judy Kellem (tight focused plots and
consistent genres)
22. "The Last Word On Stage Directions and Layering"
23. "How Can I
Tell If I'm Ready To Write?" by Craig Kellem (a way of testing the
water)
24. "But Is It On The Page?" by Craig Kellem (make sure that what you
swear is on the page is actually on the page)
25. "Planting The Plot" by Judy Kellem (don't get plot confused with
genre and characterization)
26. "Adaptations As Writing Instruction" by Judy Kellem (about
adapting books to screenplays)
27. "Don't Forget to Do What You Don't Do Best" by Craig Kellem
(needing to use other skills besides your main one)
28. "Trusting The Magic" by Craig Kellem (the creative side of
yourself will not let you down)
29. "Passion Is Alive and Well in Hollywood" by Craig Kellem
30. "Shame" by Craig Kellem
31. "Character -- Building Between The Lines" by Judy Kellem
32. "Writing The Lens And Losing Crutches" by Judy Kellem (using words
alone to convey your movie)
33. "Sometimes It Simply Needs A Little Bit Of Makeup" by Craig Kellem
(about changes that APPEAR to be big)
34. "An Idea Is Not A Concept" by Craig Kellem
35. Revisiting - "Its the singular image that haunts us that becomes
art." by Craig Kellem (a cool way to get the creative impetus going)
36. "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Guillotine" by Craig Kellem
37. "Be Sure To Look In Their Eyes" by Craig Kellem (a word of caution
when you ask for script notes from your friends and family.)
38. "Stripping Down The Essentials: Art Of The Query" by Judy Kellem
39. "Can You Be Too Funny?" by Craig Kellem
40. "The Muse Within" by Judy Kellem
41. "So What Could This Possibly Have To Do With A Script
Consultation?" by Craig Kellem
42. "Grief Cycle" by Craig Kellem
43. "Being Picky Can Be Good" by Craig Kellem
44. "What's the #1 secret for selling a script?"
45. "The Top 40 Commandments for effective screenwriting" by Craig
Kellem and Judy Kellem
46. "INSIGHTS FOR 2008 PLUS CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM! (BITS AND
PIECES/SAMPLES OF FEEDBACK WE'VE GIVEN TO OUR WRITERS)"
47. "Confessions Of A Script Consultant" by Craig Kellem
48. "Confessions Of A Script Consultant #2" by Craig Kellem
49. "Sandboxing Life" by Craig Kellem
50. “Tripping The Light Fantastic" by Judy Kellem
51. "Think Of Story As Protein" by Craig Kellem
52. "How Are Script Notes Really Given In Hollywood" by Craig Kellem
53. Getting to the "why" by Judy Kellem ("little" things really count
in the world of writing)
54. Judging The Contest. The Paradox of a Good Thing by Craig Kellem
55. Screenwriting, Where to Start? by Judy Kellem
56. C.J.O.A.E.!!! by Craig Kellem (ie. the importance of conflict,
jeopardy, obstacles, angst and eventfulness)
57. Feeling Stuck? Find That Writing Cap! by Judy Kellem
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A RECENT NOTE I SENT TO A WRITER WHICH HONESTLY REFLECTS THE WONDERFUL
AGONY OF MAKING IT ALL GET BETTER
Hi Billy-thanx for your note. Much appreciated! I totally understand
the pressures and "agonies" of life we all have to go through, and I
don't mind some passion and even tumult, when traveling along the
ecletic corridors of creativity. And sometimes it takes a bit of
wrestling for the folks involved to arrive at the same page. Getting
to where one wants and needs to be in all this is often an
adventurous, but rocky road.
A good example of this is my current read. I’m reading it as though
it's music, in a way, and I can hear the “right notes,” but when I
can't, I'm writhing and squirming, questioning whether or not I'm
correct in my perceptions, and if not, then how can I find what I'm
searching for? It can be equated with the experience of giving birth.
It can often be "dirty," grinding work, in order to arrive at one’s
goal. But as much as I can "hate" it, I also love it--especially
because I know that there's a solution somewhere, waiting to be found.
This procedure is often “messy” though, and can take time. I've
discovered that one must be OK being in the mess for a while!! That
this is a necessary part of one’s journey.
I hear your voice and I share your vision.
Best, Craig
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CJOAE in The Big Lebowski
Recently wrote an article about the huge importance of CONFLICT,
JEOPARDY, OBSTACLES, ANGST AND EVENTFULNESS in screenplays. As a way
of illustrating, (as requested by a few readers), here are examples of
this from a favorite film, THE BIG LEBOWSKI.
CONFLICT
-- While the Dude is legitimately concerned about the safety of both
Bunny Lebowski and “his johnson,” Walter continually sloughs off the
Dude’s worries, frustrating the Dude royally.
JEOPARDY
-- Jackie Treehorn also wants the money from the Dude, and invites him
to his Malibu beachside pad. But the Dude is not in friendly
territory, and Treehorn slips drugs into his drink. When the Dude
doesn’t give him the information Treehorn is looking for, the Dude
finds himself out on the street, reported as an intruder on Treehorn’s
property, and getting chewed out by the Malibu Chief of Police.
-- The Germans break into the Dude’s house while he’s relaxing in the
tub, drop a frantic marmot into the bathwater, and warn the Dude that
if they don’t “get ze money Lebowski,” they will “cut off his
Johnson.”
OBSTACLES
-- The Dude’s car gets stolen, with the briefcase in it that allegedly
holds a million bucks.
-- The briefcase with the (alleged) money is not in the trunk when the
cops return it to him, and he needs the briefcase to get everyone off
his back.
-- Little Larry Sellers is not forthcoming with any information about
his having (supposedly) stolen the car; he was the Dude and Walter’s
only lead.
ANGST
-- At the outset, the Dude is highly distressed that his rug, “which
really tied the room together,” has been pissed on.
-- The Dude is concerned that, due to Walter’s having “f----d it up”
during the dropoff, the kidnappers “are going to kill that poor girl.”
EVENTFULNESS
-- At the end, the Dude, Walter and Donnie have a showdown with the
disgruntled Germans in the bowling alley parking lot. Although they
never had the hostage, they still want “ze money.” After Walter beats
them down, he and the Dude realize that Donnie is injured. The poor
man has had a heart attack, caused by shock, and, sadly, passes on.
The funeral home representative treats them like “saps,” and so they
take Donnie’s ashes in a coffee can. His two friends eulogize him at
the beach, where Walter errantly lets the wind blow Donnie’s ashes all
over the Dude. Finally, the two friends hug, and go bowling.
-- The climax at the end, where Bunny has come home, and the Dude and
Walter arrive to confront The Big Lebowski about his fraud. Walter
claims that he’s “seen a lot of spinals, and this guy walks.” Walter
lifts the “invalid” out of his wheelchair and drops him to the ground,
where he lies, whimpering.
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CHECK THIS OUT
In Cable Niches, Less Reality and More Original
Shows
To stay competitive, relatively small cable channels that
once relied on reality shows and repeats of others'
scripted programs are now showing original comedies and
dramas.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/business/media/09scripted.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25
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HOLLYWOODSCRIPT.COM is a boutique script consultation service run by
former Universal and Fox development exec Craig Kellem. Craig and his
studio analyst associate, Judy Kellem, (who has a Masters in English
and Creative Writing) operate this two person company.
Motto: The #1 Secret for Selling a Script...MATERIAL THAT’S READY!
SERVICES: Script consultation, Coverage, Developmental Help (ie Works
in Progress), Book manuscripts, Free query letter analysis, Free mini
consultation
HOLLYWOODSCRIPT.COM CONTEST-Free MONTHLY contest for clients. Prize:
free coverage--guaranteed big industry exposure.
**Craig --craig....@valley.net, craig....@gmail.com
W 201-918-6993, H 201-918-6952
**Judy --judyk...@earthlink.net
917-647-8782
___________________________________________________
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If you'd like assistance writing your query letter, their experienced
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For more information about their services visit:
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