Customer Reviews

I Could've Written a Better Movie Than That! : How to Make Six Figures as a Script Consultant Even If You're Not a Screenwriter

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It is inevitable. If you teach screenwriting for as many years as I have, someone is going to ask you to take a look at their screenplay. If you leave yourself open for questions and answers in regards to screenwriting, someone is going to ask if you if you would be willing to read it. I have done this many of times: Taken someone's screenplay, read it over, created some notes and handed it back to them. Sometimes the script is good, sometimes it is, well, not so good.

If you find yourself in this position, this book is for you. With an intriguing title as "I Could've Written A Better Movie Than That" - I assumed the book was about crappy films and how they could have been made better. What the book is REALLY about, is found in the subtitle: Becoming a Script Consultant.

Derek Rydall does an excellent, and encouraging, job in breaking down all the peaks and valleys of doing script consulting. When I received the book I jumped to the chapter on how to give proper feedback and found myself agreeing with everything he wrote. Anyone who does ANY sort of criticism whether casually or on a website such as "Zoetrope.com" should read chapter five.

Using other script consultants (such as Linda Seger, Jeff Kitchen, and others) to give his work weight, Derek explains how to define your style, what you bring to table and how best to exploit your talents and skill.

But Derek doesn't stop there, he goes into great detail about marketing yourself, setting up shop, dealing with customers (both friendly and not-so-friendly) and following through with money, mentoring (both getting one and being one), etc. I'm hard-pressed to find something Derek DOESN'T leave out in the process of becoming a script consultant.

The book is broken down in three main sections (Act 1: The Set-Up, Act 2: Putting it in Action and Act 3: A Foundation for Success). Act 1 gives you a down-and-dirty breakdown of doing proper script analysis. Playing up to your strengths and figuring out your weaknesses. Giving examples of how other consultants approach their craft and explaining how to become a script doctor and even marketing the screenplays you are consulting on. Act 2 provides you with all the tools you need to set up shop and get your career going. Hitting on Advertising, Marketing, Meetings, Contacts and dealing with the money. Act 3 explains the process of creating staying power in the marketplace. Figuring out your long-term goals and finding time for yourself and your craft.

Again, all three are very thorough and well thought-out.

The chapters are easy to read with both a lay-out of what is in each chapter followed by a summary page. If you need the information quickly and easily, you can go to the summary page and find what you need.

My only quibble with this book is that I would have liked to have seen a resource section for both Derek's websites and the websites and e-mails for the other consultants. Most, if not all, of the experts have a website or an e-mail address and he notes them in the pages of the book - but it would have been nice to have a break-down in the back of the book for easy reference.

Before I left to go to the 2005 Screenwriting Expo 4 in L.A. my brother-in-law informed me that he had created a website for me. I questioned what I would do with said website but after reading Mr. Rydall's book - I think I'm going to put out my script consulting shingle. I've been consulting for free for many years already - with Mr. Rydall's encouragement and excellent book - I may be making a living off of it soon...

Can anyone who has ever been to a movie not have looked at some of them and wondered how such trash got produced? No one would start out with the intend of making a bad movie. You have to wonder how a group of people, presumably experienced and not unintelligent have produced something like that.

This book is written by a script consultant who tells what it's like to review and consult on the movie that's about to be made. While we all think that we could do this work, here's what the work involves. Here's how to get started. The best advice that I think he gives is work with someone in the business to at least establish the contacts.

This is a business like any other. You need at least the understanding of who does what. It is unlikely that very many of the readers of the book will actually become successful at script consulting, but it is still interesting reading to see what is done. It's an interesting insight into the movie production business.

Read and analyse your script from cover page, FADE IN to FADE OUT. Derek Rydall packs a lot of useful information in this well thought out, well written book. This is the meat and potatoes of the biz.
Do yourself a huge favor and read this book before you submit your next script. Chapter Two shows you how the studios see the difference between an amateur wannabee and a pro. Chapter Four brings in a wealth of good advice from well known experts like Linda Seger, Michael Hauge and David Freeman. David Freeman's sample scene analysis alone might make the difference between being kicked up the ladder or kicked out the door. You need every tool you can get your hands on to make your script a contender. Make this book part of your arsenal.
Whether you want to get your scripts in the door or want to be a script consultant this could be your blue prints to success.

I am a professional film and television writer who decided to do some script consulting on the side, and have used this book as my bible. Derek is incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, and encouraging, and is tapped into the biggest names in this world -- using them as reference material throughout. I don't think another book like it exists that can take someone step-by-step through the process of getting into this field and succeeding at it!

This man knows film and he understands that every produced film could have been made better. His desire is to teach you what to look for when you only have the raw spec script in your hand because that is the time to make it better, see it clearer, hear lasting dialogue and perfect the ending.

Great primer for anyone loving the film industry.

"Veteran development executive Derek Rydall is the master of both script analysis and the intricacies of the film business. His proven methods for fixing plot holes -- and negotiating the ins and outs of script consultation -- give writers, producers and development executives the very latest techniques necessary to thrive."

One of the most informative, easy to follow, and, most importantly, accurate books on script consulting I have read. Rydall blends industry savvy with humor in an uncondescending way in this step by step book perfect for anyone looking to break into script consulting or any current consultants and executives who are looking for tips on how to analyze a script better.

I really liked this book and I believe that there aren't any others like this one. It talks about how you can start a highly lucrative business as a script consultant and a re-writer.

The only thing that makes me hesitant is the ease (or difficulty) in establishing credibility as a consultant if one hasn't written anything worth mentioning.

Other than that, this is an incredible book and I hope that not too many people read it because it's an INCREDIBLE business idea and I want to pursue it myself.

A great reference, and straight forward approach to analyzing and developing screenplays. Screenwriting is hard work, and developing is even harder. This breaks down the process and is an invaluable tool not only for Hollywood exec's, but anyone who has ever wanted to write a screenplay. Read this first!

"The most important map to filmmaking is the script. This book is a brilliant guideto detailing the step-by-step process to create the best possible map, while keeping both the creative and financial perspective in mind. It also helps you design the story from both a marketing and distribution perspective to keepthe end goal in mind. It is rare to read a book that really focuses on what is most important in the movie making process. Read this book and take the advice. It will make all the difference to your filmmaking process. -- Matthew Rhodes, Producer, Persistent Entertainment, AN UNFINISHED LIFE, SOUTHLAND TALES.