Ashley Berns' Screenwriting Class (Feb 2021) : Hello by Amy Falkofske

Hey Amy, I remember Aaron Sorkin's words: "Most of the time is banging your head against a wall." I think of that a lot. Maybe you can break through the wall after more time? Sometimes I also wonder, if I'm not short on ideas to overcome obstacles, but if I'm really honest to myself, I just discard most of the ideas before I write them down. What I mean is: Maybe you have a solution. You think it's ridiculous and throw it away immediately, but since you've nothing to lose, why not try that stupid solution and see where it goes?

Besides, I don't see anything wrong with having a preferred genre. If it's good, it can be a sign of quality: "A family-friendly featury by Amy? Ah, she's written quite some good ones. This one must be good too."

Maybe start with a scene that is definitely NOT Hallmark/Family Friendly and build from there

Hi @Amy with lockdown "Family Friendly" scripts are often being turned into animation by a lot of studios, have you thought of pitching your ideas to animation execs? Also screenwriting festivals have both paid and free pitches.

Thank you guys for your comments/suggestions. I will take them into consideration. I’m not unhappy writing family-friendly movies. I just think I need some things that are studio worthy in my portfolio, especially after our first class with Ashley.

Hi Amy, Is there a writer/movie that is not Hallmark that you really like? What if your premise is something so off-the-wall that it couldn't possibly be Hallmark material?

I really like Craig Mazin and John August.

Actually, I think just John August, the one that writes for Tim Burton quite a lot.

I think if you try to emulate a writer you like, you might be able to gravitate to that style, yes?

Hi Amy - I get what you mean about the portfolio. I have three scripts that are all based on true stories and I felt pretty discouraged after our sessions with Ashley. It's going to be hard to make it in this business!! But we all know that. That's why we're all here. I think you have got something great going - family orientated dramas - there is a huge market for what you write. Have you thought of writing a Christmas movie?

I was sad to hear that you had issues with your Stage 32 producer, Amy. I hope things will turn around soon. Personally, I like Ashley's input so far, because it also tells non-success stories. Hearing about the downsides helps a lot for critical evaluation of the situation. It makes the whole "How to start your screenwriting-career"-topic more realisitc and believable - even though I wish it'd be easier.

Hi, Selma. I have written two Christmas movies. I do like to write about Christmas. :) Thomas, thanks so much! I wish it was easier too. It seems to be the rule rather than the exception in Hollywood to just not respond. It was encouraging in a way to hear Ashley say that what I've experienced is rude and unprofessional. It gives me hope that not everyone is that way.

Amy, I was ghosted by a producer here, too, after an introduction. In my case, it could have been because I accidentally jumped the gun. I was given the producer's contact information before receiving her notes and assumed that meant she didn’t have notes and wanted a meeting. It turns out she wanted to tell me how much she loved my first ten pages. I'm still not sure why she wanted me to have her contact info. The process is like dancing and the producer/agent/manager is always leading.

I took it as a win and then invested in two reads with hour-long consults from two producers that I had already pitched to and who liked the pitch but passed.

Both meetings were, in Ashley's words, worth their weight in gold. I knew neither one was going to option the script as they both passed when I pitched, but they are both in my target audience, and I now have two producers who I can quote in a query letter, and the people I'm querying can verify what I wrote with a quick phone call.

I know Ashley said not to quote analysts and consultants but I assume producers with credits from known films are an exception.

I didn't ask today because I was tired and I had crossed a boundary with him after our last class: I could swear I read in one of the promotional emails for this class that Ashley was going to be available both in this forum and outside of class, so I emailed him asking for a query letter review and was politely, but firmly told in class only and I felt kind of bad about that as I know how busy people in this industry are.

I have a few paid pitches with virtual pitch fest. I may test the waters there before next week.

Tom K., thanks for relaying your experience with me. Sorry for the negative experiences you went through, but I guess we are not alone in that.

Thanks for sharing your experience - I have used pitchfest. Three weeks ago I sent a query out about my Hemingways script . Several producers requested the script which I have sent- them. So lets see. However, I sent my Carole Lombard script to 20 producers and managers. last week. All said NO. Strong project blah blah .I can't tell if it is due to the letter/log line . It seemed to be the subject of the film that was rejected - the life of a Hollywood star from the '30s.

That's the downside of not getting any replies or a simple "No". You don't know, where you went wrong. Have you entered any contests or received any other sort of feedback before sending it to producers/managers, Selma? Maybe they can point something out, that might put producers/maangers off. On the other hand: It's a good sign, if you were allowed to send the Hemmingway script already to producers.

Thanks. No, I haven't tested out the Carole Lombard story. That's the plan for this weekend...competitions, maybe the 10 page read that Tom has recommended.