"The most powerful tool in my new tool box."
Will Smith
"More than a must-read; it is groundbreaking."
Curt LaLonde
"The Moral Premise dares to suggest that movies might actually mean something."
Chris Vogler, "The Writer's Journey"
"Thanks for the great book. I will recommend it to all my classes."
Blake Snyder, WGA, Author "Save the Cat"
"Should be required reading, retroactively, for every working Hollywood screenwriter."
Brian Bird, WGA, Producer
"Thanks for the great book. I will recommend it to all my classes."
Blake Snyder, WGA, Author "Save the Cat"
"Stan. You truly are amazing and way too smart to be involved in this writing business."
Patti Lacy, Novelist
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for your wonderful Moral Premise, and for all you've done for me and my writing, Stan."
Tamera Alexander, Novelist
"This is really an important book."
Derek Rydall "The Script Doctor"
"Drop all of your 'to-do' lists, get this book, and curl up for the read of your screenwriting lifetime."
Dave Anderson, President, Compass Film Academy
Aspiring or working screenwriters - I have a tip for you. Buy the THE MORAL PREMISE by Stanley D. Williams and read it twice.
Paul Lalonde, Chairman, Cloud Ten Pictures
More Endorsements >>
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Story and Screenplay Consulting
Stanley D. Williams, Ph.D.
PO Box 29, Novi, MI 48376
Ph: 248-344-4423-x5 - Fx: 248-679-8893 - Em: Stan@MoralPremise.com
SKYPE: DrStanleyDWilliams
NOTE TO UNPUBLISHED OR UNSOLD WRITERS
Here is a link to a blog post by Christopher Lockhart, a Story Editor at WME. It warns of people like me taking your money. I agree with it. I've been on both sides of the industry. IN MEMORY OF MRS. MARY C. BROCKWAY. Spending money on me will be more efficient if you are already published or have a contract, or if you're a screenwriter who is already optioned, sold, or produced. In the interim here is a link to a free PDF that I've titled STORY DEVELOPMENT STEPS. Even if you're a published author, or produced writer, going through as many of these steps BEFORE you call me (or any other consultant for that matter) will save you time and money. If you can't figure out some of the steps, or are unsure of your answers, then that is where I can help you. I'm particularly good at figuring out the turning points and beats of your story and the unity of your character arcs; but only if you've got the other elements thought out somewhat. Oh, yes, it will also help if you read my book first, or pursue my many blog posts on the craft. The blog is free, and the book is cheaper than hiring me by the hour. But, if you insist on my input, as an unpublished/sold writer, then please see Level 1 - SPECIAL FOR UNSOLD WRITERS below.
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Scroll to the bottom for SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
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Level 1: SPECIAL FOR UNSOLD WRITERS
$25.00 (Check), $25.88 (PayPal)
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- Submit:
- First ten (10) pages of your script or manuscript. ONLY SEND TEN PAGES by U.S. Mail, PDF, Final Draft, M.S. Word, or iWork's Pages.
- Returned to you:
- Very brief report returned by email of my visceral reaction to your writing. I will comment on style, grammar, character, setting, readability, and emotional engagement. I will comment very cursory on format, because I think script format, while necessary, is WAY overrated as almost NO ONE that is sold in Hollywood follows exactly the same format rules, until the script gets near production and then the studio format gurus fix everything. Believe me when I say A-list development scripts would never get past the first tier of most contests read by graduates of the UCLA Screenwriting program. I've seen contest submissions rejected for supposed rule violations on page 1 that are totally arbitrary.
- Benefit:
- A cheap way to know if someone of my experience will "turn the pages." I'll tell you on what page I wanted to stop, although I will at least scan every page. But note that based on ten pages I cannot comment on story structure; for that see other levels below.
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Level 2: Moral Premise or Log Line Coaching
$75 (check), $77.62 (PayPal)
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- Submit:
- Story notes and/or story summary, including attempts at up to three moral premise statements OR log lines. (See Level 1A for submitting both log lines and moral premise statements.)
- Returned to you:
- One-hour telephone/skype coaching session, scheduled ahead of time by email that will result in a solid moral premise statement OR log line/story summary statement. At your request, we can record the call and I'll send you an mp3 audio file of our conversation.
- Benefit:
- Log Lines (or one-sentence summaries), and moral premise statements, will keep you focused as you beat out and write your story. They will keep you on track about what your story is about at the physical level and emotional level, and what your story is really about at the psychological and moral level.
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Level 3: Moral Premise AND Log Line Coaching
$125 (check), $129.38 (PayPal)
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- Submit:
- Story notes and/or story summary, including attempts at up to three moral premise statements AND log lines.
- Outcome:
- Ninety-minute telephone/skype coaching session to help you clarify a workable moral premise statement and a story summary or log line. At your request, we can record the call and I'll send you an mp3 audio file of our conversation.
- Benefit:
- Log Lines (or one-sentence summaries), and moral premise statements, must support each other. Together they will keep you focused as you beat out and write your story on the physical, emotional, psychological, and moral levels.
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Level 4: Major Story Beat Coaching
$250 (check), $258.75 (PayPal)
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- Submit:
- As much as you have worked out about your story, including: working title, logline, moral premise statement, roughed-in six turning points of 13-beat structure, and 450 word synopsis or rough story points/notes that reveal the final resolution. You may have very little of this figured out, but you should have at least solid story notes about the characters, setting, and major plot points.
- Outcome:
- 2.5 hours of telephone coaching. (You need not use all your time at once.) During that time we will try to figure out the six-major turning points (which include the 3 disasters) for the protagonist, the conflict of motivational values for all the main characters, the moral premise statement, and the log line or story summary. At your request, we can record the call and I'll send you an mp3 audio file of our conversation.
- Benefit:
- This session will help ensure that your log line, moral premise statement, and major turning points of your story are physically, emotionally, psychologically, and morally consistent.
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Level 5: Story Synopsis Coaching
$125 (check), $129.38 (PayPal)
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- Submit:
- One title, logline, moral premise statement, roughed in 13-story beats, and 450 word synopsis revealing the final resolution.
- Outcome:
- 1-hour of telephone/skype coaching. You need not use all your time at once. At your request, we can record the call and I'll send you an mp3 audio file of our conversation.
- Benefit:
- This session concentrates on writing a good and intriguing synopsis for submission to producers or publishers. It is based on already approved story beats from Level 2.
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Level 6: Treatment Evaluation
$350 (check), $362.25 (PayPal)
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- Submit:
- Title, Logline, Tagline, Moral Premise, 450 word synopsis, and 10-20 page treatment (double spaced).
- Returned to you:
- 3-4 page evaluation with suggestions for improvement OR 1 hour telephone/skype coaching session. At your request, we can record the call and I'll send you an mp3 audio file of our conversation.
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Level 7: Basic Moral Premise Coverage
$500 (check), $517.50 (PayPal)
(over 110 pages $3/pg)
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- Submit:
- Title, Log Line, Moral Premise Statement, and Script.
- Returned to you:
- An 2-3 page analysis of the moral premise's consistency including basic story structure, turning points, overview of character development, how well the moral premise has been incorporated into the arc of the characters, with recommendations for improvement. This is not script coverage (see Level 8).
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Level 8: Basic Script Coverage
$500 (check), $517.50 (PayPal)
(over 110 pages $4/pg)
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- Submit:
- Title, Log Line, Moral Premise Statement, and Script.
- Returned to you:
- A basic script coverage report of 3-4 page evaluation, with some high level suggestions for improvement. It will rate (but not analyze) your story idea, moral premise, characters, dialogue, story, structure, marketability and title as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. It will also estimate the budget range, provide a long line, synopsis, and short analysis with an overall grade of: Recommend, Consider, or Pass. This does NOT get into the detail or analysis of the moral premise's structure, act structure, or turning points in the story.
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Level 7+8: Basic Script Plus Moral Premise Coverage
$800 (check), $828 (PayPal)
(over 110 pages $6/pg)
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- Submit:
- Title, Log Line, Moral Premise Statement, and Script.
- Returned to you:
- Combines both moral premise and script coverage in 5-8 pages, for less.
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Level 9: Full Story and Script Analysis
$2,500 (check), $2,588 (PayPal)
(over 110 pages $10/pg)
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- Submit:
- Title, Log Line, Moral Premise Statement, and Script.
- Returned to you:
- 10-20 page evaluation and coverage of over-all story structure, character development, how well the moral premise has been incorporated into the script, with recommendations for improvement, and an analysis of the story's structure with turning points, and moral premise. Includes an 2-hour telephone call to clarify the report and answer questions.
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Level 10: Real Time Consulting
$125/hour (check), $129.38/hour (PayPal)
Payable in Advance.
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- Telephone and In-Person (S.E. Michigan)
- $125 per hour
- Out-of-Town Meetings
- $1,500 per day plus First Class travel
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SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
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For Filmmakers/Scriptwriters
- Submissions need not query in advance. Send to above address. You'll get most for your dollar if you supply all that is asked for below. If you don't have or can't figure out the moral premise statement, log line, or story summary, I'll help you come up with what you need.
- Rates assume feature length script of 90-120 pages (max). Additional pages will be prorated.
- Analysis of hardcopy: please send in industry standard format. For script format see Riley's THE HOLLYWOOD STANDARD (published by Michael Wiese).
- Please include check, or "Send Money" via PayPal to sales@ninevehscrossing.com
- Include SASE for return of material.
- Electronic submissions accepted in Adobe PDF, Final Draft, or M.S. Word. Add $25 for printing and return postage via PRIORITY MAIL.
- Always include real name, full return address, phone number, and email address.
- Turn around depends on other deadlines, usually 2-3 weeks. If longer I will contact you after receipt of your material.
- All materials must be accompanied by an industry standard "Submission Release." If I receive material without a "Submission Release" your material will be destroyed or returned without my reading it. Download .pdf of Submission Release HERE.
- My standard hourly rate is $125, but certain discounts apply. See Levels described above.
- On all coaching calls, you place the telephone call to the number provided.
- If you request I can RECORD our telephone call and send you the resulting mp3 file. I will not record unless you ask for it.
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For Novelists
- I do not read entire manuscripts. My coaching is limited to story structure.
- Query via email in advance for story coaching session by telephone or Skype.
- Use ADD TO CART buttons below, or "Send Money" via PayPal to sales@ninevehscrossing.com. If we're doing this by snail mail, send a check with your hardcopy submission materials.
- Submit material electronically as PDF, MS Word, iWork file, raw email text, or hard copy via snail mail.
- Always send me your real name, full return address, phone number, and email address.
- My standard hourly rate is $125, but certain discounts apply. See Levels described below.
- On all coaching calls, you place the telephone call to the number we provide, or call me via Skype.
- If we do this by telephone, I can record our conversation and send you the resulting mp3 file. But you have to ask for this. No extra charge.
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