. .                                 Our services are tailored to fit the needs of those wishing to adapt their books or stories (including true stories) into screenplay format. Whether you're looking for help with an adaptation outline, assistance in writing the adaptation—or someone to write the screenplay for you—we can help translate your work for the screen (theatrical or TV). Our pricing structure is designed to work within your budget and timeframe. Phone conversations will be recorded and sent to you for future reference. If you need something in a hurry, we also offer expedited turnarounds. To ask a question or get started with one of our services, just send us an email. If you're considering our services but would like to discuss your options by phone, we're happy to schedule a free call; shoot us an email and we'll make it happen. If you'd like to know a bit more about us, check out our bio page. . We'll read or listen to your story, manuscript or book, prepare a brief written report, and follow up with a one-hour phone consultation to discuss your work's screen potential. Topics covered will include concept, story, character, dialogue, pacing, structure, style, genre—and which of these elements might be modified to make your book or story more screen-friendly. The call will be recorded and sent to you for future reference. PRICE: $2.00 per page  (1 page = 250 words) If your story is not in book or manuscript form, contact us for pricing. (Please note that $2.00 per page is the consult fee, and not the cost of writing an adapted screenplay.) TURNAROUND: 3-4 weeks     (Need it faster? Express service available) •  Contact us to submit or ask a question. Service Menu back to top . It's hard to overstate just how different the book and screenplay formats truly are. The same basic story can be told well in both media—but when going from a tale that might fill 300-plus book pages to the 120 pages (or less) required of a screenplay, major changes are called for. Starting with what you have now, we'll work closely with you to develop a comprehensive outline for your adapted story. When we're done, you'll have an Adaptive Outline that details every significant event of the new (or revised) storyline, from opening scene to fade out. The Adaptive Outline will guide the adaptation, so everyone involved will know exactly where the story is going before the first word is typed—avoiding blind alleys, misunderstandings, and endless rewrites that could cost take weeks or months. The Adaptive Outline is most appropriate for those wanting to test the waters and see the new work's bluepint before committing to a full-blown adaptation, and also those who intend to do the actual writing themselves, but want a solid roadmap before they begin. Price shown includes up to 20 hours of phone time; most Adaptive Outlines based on published books or finished book manuscripts are completed in 20 hours or less. Additional hours (if required) are billed at a discounted rate. Turnaround time varies with client preference; most authors prefer ten calls of two hours each, spread over 6 - 12 weeks. (Note that an Adaptive Outline is included with any full adaptation.) PRICE:   $1500 (up to 20 hours phone time) TURNAROUND:   Varies with client preference; generally 6-12 weeks.     (Need it faster? Express service available) •  Contact us to submit or ask a question. Service Menu back to top . A full-length adaptation of your story, book or manuscript into screenplay format. We begin by working with you to create an adaptation outline detailing every significant event of the screen story—which may differ considerably from the book ro other source material. Once we've agreed on the details, the writing begins. We'll check in with you along the way, and get your approval before deviating from the outline we've agreed on. At the end of the process, you'll have a finished screenplay of between 105 and 120 pages. PRICE AND TURNAROUND TIME vary by project. Both are affected by a number of factors, the most important being the present state of the source material (book, story, etc.). If the existing material is incomplete or has major problems, the adaptation process will require more work and more time to complete. If the source material is already in decent shape (or better), things move more swiftly. While we can cite ballpark figures, a story-to-screen-consult will allow us to give you a more accurate price and timeline. Contact us to discuss your specific project. Average turnaround is 90-120 days. Express service is available. •  Contact us for pricing, or if you have any questions. Service Menu back to top . Personal consultation and coaching are available for those looking to brainstorm story points, those who prefer an intensely personal approach with constant two-way communication as they write and revise, and for those with needs not addressed by our other services. We'll work with you via phone, notes, email, or any combination of these—whatever suits your style. Pricing is per hour of time spent on the phone, writing notes, emailing, etc. We can usually schedule an initial consultation in 5 - 10 days. PRICE:   $75.00 per hour TURNAROUND:   See above     (Need it faster? Express service available) •  Contact us to submit or ask a question. Service Menu back to top . No one can read everything. Busy book and film industry pros decide which works to read based on loglines and pitch sheets. The logline is a ten-second pitch of your story's basic concept, designed to make the reader want more. A good logline tells the reader three things: WHO the story is about, what their GOAL is, and the nature of the OBSTACLE that must be overcome. Here are three examples we wrote based on popular adaptations: •  A fugitive doctor wrongly convicted of killing his wife struggles to prove his innocence while pursued by a relentless US Marshall. (The Fugitive) •  A family struggles to escape a remote island park whose main attractions—genetically restored dinosaurs—have been set loose by a power failure. (Jurassic Park) •  In a society where criminals are arrested before their crimes are committed, a cop convicted of a future murder goes on the run to prove his innocence. (Minority Report) We'll read your book or screenplay and write you a logline to use when pitching your project to agents, managers, editors, and film company execs. In fact, we'll write you two loglines to use as you see fit. If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below), we'll cut the price by 20%. PRICE:   $125 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated) / $350 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words) ADDITIONAL PAGES:   $1 per page (book or script) PHONE OPTION:  We'll speak with you by phone, and write the logline based on the information you give us, without reading the work itself. The Phone Option is for those on a tight budget, and (not having read the actual manuscript or screenplay) we cannot guarantee that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy. TURNAROUND:   One week on scripts  /  two weeks on books.     (Need it faster? Express service available) •  Contact us to submit or ask a question. Service Menu back to top . Once you've hooked your reader's interest with the logline, it makes sense to follow up on that interest immediately. The pitch sheet starts with (and includes) a logline and takes things one giant step further by presenting the major elements of your story in a fast, easy-to-read "teaser" format. Like a movie trailer, the pitch sheet is designed to make the reader want to dive into the story you're selling. It gives them a sense of confidence in your ability to expand on the logline and flesh out the concept into a full-blown story. Ideally, it persuades them to ask for your script or manuscript or, if they already have it—to read it right away. A good pitch sheet can have the same effect on the public. John's publisher (Macmillan) liked his first pitch sheet so much, they ran it word-for-word on the back of the hardcover and paperback editions of his novel. We'll read your book or screenplay and write you a pitch sheet (with logline) for use when pitching your project to agents, managers. editors, and film company execs. (In fact, we'll include two loglines to use as you see fit.) If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below), we'll cut the price by 20%. PRICE:   $200 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated) / $425 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words) ADDITIONAL PAGES:   $1 per page (book or script) PHONE OPTION:  We'll speak with you by phone, and write the pitch sheet based on the information you give us, without reading the work itself. The Phone Option is for those on a tight budget, and (not having read the actual manuscript or screenplay) we cannot guarantee that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy. TURNAROUND:   One week on scripts  /  two weeks on books.     (Need it faster? Express service available) •  Contact us to submit or ask a question. Service Menu back to top . If you're looking for help with something not covered here—a screenplay-to-book adaptation, feedback on a screen or book adaptation you've done yourself, etc.—feel free to give us a shout; not all services are listed. •  Contact us with any questions. Service Menu back to top . Express Service is available for an additional fee. Regular and express prices and delivery times appear below. For those with more urgent needs, special arrangements can often be made; contact us with your requirements. Express consult time not included with the services described is billed at $100/hour. SERVICE STANDARD EXPRESS Story-to-Screen Consult $2.00 per page  /  3 - 4 weeks $3.00 per page  /  1 week Adaptive Outline $1500  /  6 - 12 weeks (avg) $2250  /  1 week Adaptation Varies w/ project (note)  /  90 - 120 days (avg) Varies w/ project (note)  /  30-60 days Consultation / Coaching $65 an hour  /  scheduled calls $100 an hour  /  same-day availability Logline  (script) $125 up  /  1 week $185 up  /  1 day Logline  (book) $350 up  /  4 weeks $525 up  /  1 week Pitch Sheet  (script) $200 up  /  1 week $300 up  /  1 day Pitch Sheet  (book) $425 up  /  4 weeks $635 up  /  1 week . NOTE:   Adaptation prices and turnaround times are affected by a number of factors, the most important being the present state of the source material (book, story, etc.). If the existing material is incomplete or has major problems, the adaptation process will require more work and more time to complete. If the source material is already in decent shape (or better), things move more swiftly. While we can cite ballpark figures, a story-to-screen-consult will allow us to give you a more accurate price and timeline. Contact us to discuss your specific project. . If you're not in the market for adaptation services right now, you'll find plenty of free advice on writing and editing on John's... John also tweets writing tips on #SEBlog from @John_Marlow. . To ask a question or get started with one of our services, just send us an email. If you're considering our services but would like to discuss your options by phone, we're happy to schedule a free call; shoot us an email and we'll make it happen. Our address is: Service Menu back to top

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