Anything Goes : A Shout-Out to Catalina Ramirez by Michael Hogan

I’ve written many screenplays and, over the years, I’ve leveraged two primary means for gauging whether the scripts are finally query-ready: 1) screenplay and festival competitions; 2) professional coverage services.

The first method has delivered head scratching results. Over the past six years, my screenplays have netted over 400 awards. That and $7 could buy me one mediocre cup of coffee. The learning here is that awards alone will not land managers, agents, options or sales.

As for the second method of gauging script quality, I routinely employ 1-3 coverage services to help refine and polish my feature screenplays. I’ve found that no two coverage professionals are equal and the value of feedback/notes can range from garbage to amazing. A recent experience on the amazing end of the coverage spectrum came from Catalina Ramirez, VP of Sales and Global Partnerships at ITV Studios, and I’ll expound on that experience below.

My most recent screenplay, “The Second Coming” was initially written as a drama/supernatural feature; but it became clear that there was significant meat to the story to warrant at least two feature films. I made the decision to approach The Second Coming as a TV series and set about rewriting as a 1-Hour TV Pilot, along with a series bible.

Throughout the writing process for both the feature and pilot versions, I submitted to festival and writing competitions as I achieved what I believed to be fairly polished scripts. The feature being the first out the door, it quickly proved to be a compelling story and garnered 7 “Best Feature Screenplay” awards. When I felt it was ready, I began submitting the TV Pilot script and, as of November 2nd, it has earned its 8th “Best TV Pilot” award.

As is my practice, concurrent with the competition submissions, I also sought professional coverage to continue polishing. I did so with the feature version of The Second Coming, and I just received my coverage notes from Catalina Ramirez (thru Stage32), who read the TV Pilot script.

I have to say, hands down, Catalina’s is the most professional coverage I have ever received for any screenplay and it was very apparent that she took the responsibility very serious. Her notes were well thought-out and were evidence that she took time to really understand the story, characters and how/where the project fits in the industry. She was constructive, kind and never overly critical or negative; which I’ve seen too often from other coverage resources.

So, to Catalina Ramirez…thank you, thank you! I am already busily applying the sage advice and guidance you provided and look forward to the day when The Second Coming transitions from diamond in the rough, to produced TV Series (or feature films).