Mara Lesemann: Screenwriter, producer and script consultant in Lakewood, New Jersey.

The rule I have learned is that after writing at most 4 lines with instructions, one should start the next sentence on a new line.

Is that rule still used?

I have multiple short scenes, often at the same location.

The question is then if I should keep separate the description of what the place looks like, respectively what some character does.

Here is an example :

EXT. CEMETERY - DAY

Early April. An deserted cemetery features a church, a parking lot, a bench, a trash can, and a

hedge.

PAULINE, 30, exits the cemetery grieving.

Can alternatively be written as :

EXT. CEMETERY - DAY

Early April. An deserted cemetery features a church, a parking lot, a bench, a trash can, and a

hedge. PAULINE, 30, exits the cemetery grieving.

What alternative do production companies prefer?

And since I have written in the slug line that the place is a cemetery, should I repeat in the scene description that the place is a cemetery?

I'm delighted to be the screenwriter & also exec producing the feature "Alison," based on a true story. Here's the logline: A mom struggles to find help for her schizophrenic and autistic teenage daughter while her husband battles to keep the family from being evicted, until life takes a catastrophic turn.

www.alisonthemovie.com

I'm collaborating with a friend on a micro-budget horror movie. Logline: An ambitious young Black woman teams up with a neurotic tech genius to turn her family’s computer business into the first billion-dollar Black-owned AI consulting company.

Terrific article, and I'd add one more thing: organizational skills. I wrote & produced 2 low budget features, and the organizational skills that I acquired during my years in the banking industry were indispensable. Too many people organize project based on hoping for the best, which is a recipe for disaster.

Hi, Mara, I'm a writer/producer/content creator. I'd love to talk to you about what you do and how you were able to produce two films. Please reach out to me so that we can discuss your abilities. I'd like to hire you for a script.

I've updated my website with feedback from some recent script consulting clients - check it out at www.maralesemann.com

I'm delighted to share the new poster for my 2nd feature, DETOURS, which will be out soon on Amazon Prime. Photo and artwork by David Spagnolo. You can read more about the movie at www.detoursfeaturefilm.com .

I have three series and several short films I'd like to submit to streaming networks that air on Roku, Chromecast, Amazon, etc. Can anyone suggest places for me to submit my content? You can see examples of my shows here www.stevestrangioproductions.com

My first feature, Surviving Family, is now just 99 cents on Amazon & iTunes; it's still free to watch for Amazon Prime Members. Billy Magnussen (Bridge of Spies), JD Williams (The Wire), Phyllis Somerville (The Big C), and Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos) are among the great cast in this drama about life in a dysfunctional family. Links to watch on both services are on the web site: www.survivingfamily.us

Has anyone here heard of Quiver, the digital platform for self distributing your film?

With my first feature ("Surviving Family") doing well on Amazon Prime & iTunes, and my 2nd ("Detours") making its festival premiere next month, I've started a script consulting service. It's reasonably priced, and provides quick turn-around. Check out the web site, and click the "contact me" button or reply here. http://maralesemann.wix.com/script-consultant

My new blog post is out - it's a look at casting theater actors for indie film. Check it out here: http://moreorlessonmovies.blogspot.com/2015/10/when-casting-movie-look-t...

My latest blog post is on casting name actors in your indie film - I hope you find it interesting & useful! http://moreorlessonmovies.blogspot.com/2015/09/casting-name-actors-in-in...

I've started blogging about my experiences writing & producing 2 features - Surviving Family (rent it on iTunes or Amazon Prime!) and Detours (almost through post-production). The blog is called More or Less on Movies - check it out here: http://moreorlessonmovies.blogspot.com/

Great story! I look forward to watching Baobhan Sith! I love your comment re being the oldest runner - having slogged in the banking industry for a long time before moving to filmmaking full time (writer & producer), I can definitely relate.

My feature film "Surviving Family" is now available on Amazon Prime! This means that all 40 million subscribers can watch for free - and if you're not a subscriber, you can still pay to watch (starts at just $2.99 to rent in SD). We've been getting great feedback from viewers: "great character development and really gets to the heart of the human issues families always have"; "touching and well acted movie"; and my personal favorite: "BILLY MAGNUSSON oh dear lord. Just as cute here as you thought he was in the promos for Into the Woods." The cast is awesome - both those become stars (Billy M + Katherine C. Hughes from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), and established indie film actors like the wonderful Phyllis Somerville. Links to Amazon & iTunes are at the web site: www.survivingfamily.us

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed for the podcast "Anywhere But Hollywood" about my transition from banker to writer/producer - check it out here: http://anywherebuthollywood.com/podcast-ep-21-living-the-dream-one-write...