You need more than a blank sheet of paper to succeed in this business...
Sandy Eiges is an award-winning screenwriter, story analyst and script doctor who works with writers, directors and producers both in the U.S. and internationally, providing assessments of film projects, script rewrites and proposals for adapting books to film. She is a past story analyst for Twentieth Century Fox, Samuel Goldwyn Films and TNT, for which she also served as (uncredited) story editor on CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL and ANIMAL FARM. Sandy was the winner of the 1998 K.A.S.A. Screenwriting Award for her black comedy SAVING FAITH, subsequently purchased by Kingman Films International. Her script for REMEDY was produced by Lyra films, and released in 2004 (http://imdb.com/title/tt0375008/). She has adapted young adult novels for the screen and been hired for numerous script rewrites, including for BOW DOWN SHADRACH (Irish Dreamtime and Kiwi Films).
Sandy enjoys working with screenwriters, novelists, producers and directors, focusing on effective rewriting, and using her understanding of the deeper elements of storytelling, from both a filmic and a Jungian, mythology-based perspective. She has taught screenwriting at Otis College of Art & Design, using the "hero's journey" approach to storytelling.
As a script consultant she:
Sandy's personal statement: If you really care about your story, you will
do everything you need to do to make sure your story has a central idea,
and make that idea sparkle and shine. As a writer of anything but a journal,
or maybe letters to your mother (who will love you no matter what you write),
you are always writing for yourself AND your audience. The trick is to capture
your passion for your story, and your central idea, in a way that speaks
to other people - that is the hard work of writing for any writer. For a
screenwriter it's even more difficult, since screen stories are told in a
kind of verbal and visual shorthand that is a language unto itself. I take
a look at story structure, story line, character development, dialogue, theme,
and of course, the premise. I try to get a feel for the overall "shape" of
the script, and what I think the writer is going for; and then I try to mirror
that back to them, with what the broad strokes of each act should achieve.
I then give the writer detailed notes, both on the above issues as well as
on specific pages and scenes, with suggestions for the rewrite.
Suggested Studies:
Learning the shape of mythological stories will help any writer in terms of understanding the structure and rhythms of storytelling. Screenwriters would do well to explore the legends and mythology of various cultures to deepen their understanding of what makes for a good story; and to discover a rich mine of stories which can be adapted to the modern day. In my opinion, almost every type of story can be found in Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey.
In terms of mythic structure for screenwriters, I recommend reading Chris Vogler's "The Writer's Journey," which applies Joseph Campbell's theories about mythical structure to the art of storytelling for film. Also useful here would be any material dealing with archetypes and archetypal material. Character archetypes can give us a clearer, more specific glimpse into our characters, and therefore into ourselves, by pointing us in the direction of the pattern of attributes that kind of character may possess. But each character must be specific to him or herself, with a history, character traits, quirks, flaws and dialogue uniquely his own. The writer should address a number of questions about the character, before writing the script. In my book, HOLLYWOOD SCRIPT WRITING (2nd Edition) I provide exercises specifically designed to create richly defined characters, with archetypal qualities.
And remember, all of this reading is meant to inspire you to create your own specific and compelling stories and characters, characters who will leap off the page and into our hearts, as we sit in the dark, watching their stories as they flicker across the modern campfire of the movie screen. Questions or comments? Feel free to email me at sandy AT storyandscriptdevelopment DOT com
Dear Sandy,
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for writing such a helpful book. I have read other script-writing books and tried to apply the techniques they suggested, but there always seemed to be something missing and I could never grasp the concept enough to do anything with what the author was “teaching”. Now, after reading just a few pages of your book things are finally starting to “click” into place. I have a 1 page synopsis, written in the present tense that (to me) flows perfectly. What a great feeling! ....I will finally complete the script that I have wanted to write for many years now."
- Marlene B.
"Hi Sandy,
I recently purchased and downloaded your book on screenwriting and am really enjoying it. This is the best book on the subject I've read so far. It is clear,concise and covers all the important areas of screenwriting. I've gone through some of the exercises and would like to know your thoughts on my idea. Can we schedule a quick pitch appointment?
I think this would be most helpful. Thanks."
- Ralph H.
"Dear Sandy,
...I am midway through your book on how to turn a story idea into a good screenplay, and I can't thank you enough for all the tips that I've read in your book so far. I recently got this story idea, based pretty much on a real-life happening, that I started to write down thanks to the hints you offer, because until now I was really "with hands tied" as to where and how I should start, and what things I should and should not do with the screenplay. I have read many other explanatory how-to books on this area, but none of them helped me as much as yours did..."
- Jacob G.
"Hi Sandy,
I am in the process of reading "HOLLYWOOD SCRIPT WRITING: HOW TO BIRTH YOUR IDEA INTO A BANKABLE SCREENPLAY". There is a plethora of books/articles etc. out there, but in my opinion, yours is head and shoulders above the rest. The publication is informative and very enjoyable to read...
Thanks, Sandy!"
- Robert S.
"Brilliant, masterful, I appreciated your comments...You have a positive outlook and that is much appreciated. You have added fuel for the imagination and I am ready to go to work..."
- Ken P.
"Sandy,
The scriptwriting book you wrote is clear and also inspiring to me. I
just had to send you this thank you note.
You write really well...Very good stuff.
...You have packed so much practical experience into [these]...pages...I have started some sketches of stories. I'm motivated. One hour per day. Same time every day. You've helped me to know where I am going.
Thank You So Very Much,
- Neil K.