SCREENPLAY CONSULTATION SERVICES

 "What's unique about Mark is that he's a working screenwriter of films that actually got made. So many 'script doctors' have never sold a single script. I trusted the first draft of my first feature to Mark, and I'm glad I did. The notes were thorough and reflect the rigors of working in Hollywood today." - Adam Vincent Wright, screenwriter of "Wise Guys"

"The level of detail, meaty suggestions, coherent/easy-to-understand directions, general writing tips, logline help, and overall professional competency demonstrated by you on my screenplay exceeded all expectations. It’s obvious you take your craft seriously; the product you delivered validates your accumulated education and years of practical experience. I know I will learn, improve, and grow as a direct result of your direction. A simple note of gratitude hardly does you justice. Thank you for your exhaustive efforts." - Kevin Bernadt screenwriter of "An Ornament's Tale"

"I first came across Mark being interviewed by Film Courage on YouTube. After visiting his web site, I scheduled a consultation and received invaluable notes on my comedy pilot. Do yourself a favor and get his insight on your script before sending it out. I will definitely use his services in the future." --Stephen Morrissey, screenwriter of "These Rock!"

"Mark's 5-star consultation service brings objectivity and clarity to a project with a fresh set of eyes. I recommend Mark and will consult with him in my future projects. His service is worth every penny." --Salvatore Bono, screenwriter of "Rock Tarpeian" and "Callers to Our World"

"Mark Sanderson provided me (a first-time script writer) extensive notes to improve my project. He taught me many technical lessons to help the script meet industry standards. Mark also offered storyline suggestions that will dramatically improve pivotal moments in the thriller as I complete my re-write. When you are a rookie, you are not sure where to turn for help, but Mark exceeded my expectations. Your project will be better thanks to Mark’s feedback." -- Mike W. screenwriter of "There is Life"

"I cannot recommend Mark enough. He read my script and knew what I was tying to say more than I did. He was able to pinpoint with such clarity the areas of my script that needed condensing, and showed me how to avoid micromanaging actors. Using his notes, I turned my script into a top 10% Nicholl script. Mark is a friend, and an ally that wants you to succeed. He is realistic about the tough odds in the Hollywood market, but encourages you first and foremost to write with discipline. Mark helped me turn my dream into a more concrete reality.  I am so grateful for his guidance and you will be, too."- Rachel Redfern, screenwriter of "She Wore Blue" 

"Mark has been an invaluable help in the development and improvement of my script. I've used other coverage services, and no one even comes remotely close to providing the helpful, detailed, and length of notes and advice. I would have paid twice as much for the professional advice and help he has given me." -- Dan Willis, screenwriter of "Mother of Grace and Mercy"

"This summer I reached out to Mark and hired him to do an analysis for a TV pilot I had written, and here's what I found: In complete consistency with my impression of him thus far, Mark showed up in the most professional way and over-delivered. I received back not only an analysis of my script, but what I call an entire learning package. It seems like Mark really studied the weakness of my work and addressed everything to-the-point with articulate notes that made it clear to me as to what I should be doing next. He combed through and did not leave one issue left unaddressed. His analysis proved once again that he is a master of his craft as well as an incredible teacher. I received script feedback before but nothing on this level, and I have no doubt I need to look no further - I found the one. Mark Sanderson is what I call a rare bird.

-- Kika Stayerman, screenwriter of "The Seaman's Wife"

"Mark was recommended to me by a screenwriter who had used his services for several scripts. Now that I've consulted with Mark, I'm yet another screenwriter who can enthusiastically recommend him!  Having never taken a screenwriting class, I knew I was likely making formatting and style mistakes -- I just didn't know what they were, or how to identify and fix them. Mark filled in the gaps in my knowledge and his detailed notes gave me a clear roadmap for how to fine-tune my script. He also provided tools and best practices that I know I'll be using in all of my writing going forward. I'm currently submitting my script to contests, and I've already had a glowing review come back noting how "polished and professional" it was. Thanks, Mark!"

—Zoe Furlong, screenwriter of "Mika Pepper Monster Hunter"

"Mark’s feedback helped me break bad writing habits that I didn’t even know I had. The level of detail provided in his coverage made me understand where the problems were and how to fix them. He pointed out strengths in the script and not just weaknesses, which was a real morale booster. I was also amazed that he read the script more than once, which is above and beyond most coverage services."—Carrie Wachob, screenwriter of "Hunters" 

"Mark Sanderson is truly a master of the craft. I have used other script consultants in the past, but I have found Mark’s experience and knowledge invaluable. I received fully detailed notes and in-depth analysis of where my script fell short, and where my script excelled. My script is a TV holiday movie, and his experience writing TV movies was very helpful to me. He gave some good suggestions on how I can improve it, as well as work on the proper pacing and word count on this script. In addition to the notes, he gave in-depth edits on the script that allows me to see where I can improve my dialogue and scene descriptions for a better read. I highly recommend Mark for a script consultation!" — Tim Northburg, screenwriter of "A Love For Cranberries." 

"After completing a hands on, 8-week screenwriting workshop, I got Mark to review my comedy feature film screenplay. He was next level, I couldn’t believe, not only how fast he turned it around, but understood my story and characters in-depth. His feedback was on point and he included just as many positive notes as critique, making me feel positive and excited about my work. I would use Mark again and recommend him to anyone, new or experienced. —Vanessa Every-Burns, screenwriter of "Sologamy" from the land down under.  

"Mark's immaculate feedback provided a clear, concise guide as to the strengths and weaknesses of our screenplay, highlighting what was and was not working, what there should be more and less of and - ultimately - inspired the next pass of drafting. His feedback is direct, honest, and impeccable. Highly recommended!"— director/screenwriter Mark J. Blackman, screenwriter of "Teardrop" 

"I've used a few script consultant services now, and I can say without hesitation that Mark's was the most valuable.  While others were helpful in providing useful feedback on a certain component or area of my script, Mark's notes felt truly comprehensive.  I've incorporated his ideas to improve everything from general format/readability to the actual comedic elements.  I look forward to getting my next script to a point where I'm ready to leverage Mark's insight and guidance once again." — Carey Dunn, screenwriter of "Materminated" 

"There are many "script consultants" out there. Many of them are more concerned about enhancing their careers than about you as a writer. What I look for is one who has the professionalism and experience to see what I can't see in a script—to be my second set of eyes and give me feedback that I can use to enhance my story. Mark Sanderson read my script three times in a matter of days and provided an overview and detailed page notes with very practical and thought-out suggestions to enhance the script. You want someone who will take the time and personal interest to care about your work and about you as a writer.  No matter how experienced one may be, having that supportive feedback means a lot in this journey.  Thank you, Mark!" — Britta Reque-Dragicevic, screenwriter of "Restoration" 

"If you are serious about your career as a writer, one of the best resources you'll ever find is Mark Sanderson. Mark doesn't give cookie-cutter, thoughtless advice, but he offers thorough, detailed and personalized service that is both refreshing and reliable. He is professional, courteous, and genuinely interested in your success. You won't regret the investment. You owe yourself the advantage of having Mark Sanderson on your side."— KV James, screenwriter of "The Wren" 

"Mark was not the only consultant who worked on my script. But he was BY FAR the best. Hands down. I did extensive research before I selected the consultants I availed myself of and the extent to which Mark's work rises above the rest is shocking. So much so that I literally scrapped the analyses and input from the others and went with Mark's feedback exclusively. He broke down my screenplay gently and effectively—and one of the most helpful things he did was not just identify weaknesses but make actual suggestions about how to fix them (e.g. "TRY this..." or "HOW ABOUT so and so..."). He also explained why he made a certain recommendation or why he thought something didn't work. It will make future screenplays much tighter from the get go. He will make your screenplay a thousand times better; he will make you so excited about rewriting/reworking it you will literally run to your computer to implement his feedback; and he will make you a superbly better writer along the way. Another thing: he's a super nice guy. I wholeheartedly endorse his services. Do yourself a favor: USE HIM."—David Bassin, screenwriter of "Through the Sweetness and the Smoke" 

"Mark provides an enriched and detailed description on how to grow your screenplay and writing. The criticisms force me to think about all aspects of the story and the specific suggestions allow me to jump quickly into a rewrite."—Moez Solis, screenwriter of "Angel Tendencies" 

"Thanks, Mark for pointing out what worked and didn't work in my script. Your notes were very professional and helpful in what I should do in my rewrites. You opened my eyes, flashed out all my bad writing habits, and helped me understand how to become a better writer."—Alexander Verdant, screenwriter of "War Effects" 

"I am blown away by your level of professionalism, expertise, and craft. Every insightful suggestion is planned for reuse in my next edit. You provided something of amazing value to me, thank you! " —Kyle Walsh, screenwriter of "Tiger Tiger" 

"I hired Mark earlier in the year to help me with a comedy screenplay, his advice was valuable and it's since been requested by three producers and an agent. And later this year, I needed help on structure and plot on a studio spec and yet again, Mark’s notes were incredible, detailed and insightful. He helped me see things that I didn't notice because I was so close to the project. When I speak to producers, they tell me one of the biggest mistakes writers make is sending out scripts too early. Don’t be that writer. Get your screenplay read first by hiring Mark Sanderson."—Niraj Kapur, screenwriter of "For Better or For Worse" 

"I have hired many script consultants in the past, but Mark has to be one of the finest. His critique of my work, and suggestions on how to improve it, without a doubt, has made the final product much more competitive and ready to market to TV producers. In the future, I will not hesitate to call on Mark's services again. Thank you Mark for your support and great advice!"—R. Lee Salkind Meliment, screenwriter of "Castleton Divide" 

"I have used different script consultants, but I found Mark’s notes were so thorough, clear and brutally honest, I was able to go through them point-by-point, and came out with a markedly stronger and more marketable screenplay."—Ron Thomson, screenwriter of "Tour de Francine" 

"Mark's in-depth and thoughtful read inspired more confidence in pointing out strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. His notes were invaluable in making this a stronger and more marketable script."—Cyn Brocar, screenwriter of "Kingfisher" 

"Mercy just made the Page quarterfinals and I wanted to thank you. It would have never made it that far without your editing help. So thank you very much!"—Carrie Wachob, screenwriter of "Mercy" 

"Blunt and insightful.  Mark is like a hawk and could see the common, often repetitive, mistakes I made that I was oblivious to.  His suggestions helped reveal gaps in the story that my mind instantly started to fill.  In revision mode, he brings the format up to professional levels with pinpoint accuracy.  There’s so much advice that you will want to implement as you read through his notes, that you’ll keep returning to them as you go along. There’s no way this won’t take your screenplay to a higher level. Best money I've ever spent so far in the quest to become a screenwriter."—Jordan Serson, screenwriter of "Day Dream" 

"I've wanted to have my script read by a consultant, but shopping around in Hollywood online everyone was asking $1500 or more. I found Mark when I Googled him and he offered proofreading plus consultation. For the price, I did not expect such thorough high-quality feedback and he didn't pull any punches. The great thing was his grasp of the story and characters, and then knowing (seeing) a proper structuring of the events. I could go on and on about his suggestions and educating me, but to my knowledge, this is the best deal in Hollywood. So, you better take advantage of it while Mark is content to sell it at this price."—James Featherston, screenwriter of "Abattage Angels" 

"I've been writing for many years in fiction and non-fiction. But screenwriting is an entirely different planet. When I decided to take a shot at writing a screenplay, I was overwhelmed by all the resources out there. I decided to dive in, buy software, and do my best. And then, when I was done, I found Mark. And "that's" when I learned what to do and what not to do. Mark's critique was detailed but easy to understand, firm but encouraging, and I can tell he's a perfectionist. And he's making me one too! I can honestly say that my work with Mark was the equivalent of a screenwriting boot camp. I loved every minute of it. And I'll be back, for certain."—Aliya S. King, screenwriter of pilot "Platinum" 

"Mark was not the only evaluation I sought after finishing my first spec, but after receiving his notes and working with him, he will be in the future. Other services seemed to put me on the bottom of their list, pushing me out then delivering sub-par recommendations. With Mark's help, I was able to focus in on the core of my story and develop it from there.  He dives deeper than the surface and seeks out where your screenplay might be flawed. His notes were specific, in-depth and extremely useful. He unearthed a gem in what have otherwise been a pile of dirt. I can't thank him enough."—Michael Brenckle, screenwriter of "Jackpot" 

"Mark's gift lies in the fact that he's not only able to supply you with remarkably on-target insight and suggestions, but he's also able to inspire you to find a deeper and better version of your script. He understands your script, its strengths and weaknesses, and emboldens you to find the hidden genius within your own vision."—Paul Schattel, writer/director "Your Ass Is Grass" 

"I was hesitant about getting ascreenplay consultation, because you hear a lot of mixed reviews. I'm so glad I did. Mark was the best thing to happen to my script. He gives really comprehensive and detailed advice.  He found issues that I didn't even know existed, and really helped me get to the essence of my story. I'm pretty certain I couldn't have gotten to that point without him. The dude knows his stuff.  I look forward to working with him on my next project."—Rayna White, screenwriter of "It's Who You Know" 

"Mark really worked for me. In my case I got script notes, general notes, the whole nine yards. Easy to say I got my money's worth. If you want a successful screenwriter to take your screenplay seriously, meticulously comb over it giving you constructive contributions, work with your ideas to help you fill out your vision, Mark Sanderson is your man."—D.R. Bradt, screenwriter of "Born to Kill 2015" 

"Mark's notes were right on the money. He sees a movie in a script, no matter how good or bad it is and brings out the best it can be. I am fortunate my screenplay passed through his surgical mind. Thanks, Mark for making me happy with my words, my screenplay, my baby."—Njedeh Anthony Ebinum, screenwriter of "Mind Crawlers" 

"When I came to Mark for help, I had a 136-page Sci-Fi screenplay that a Hollywood agent and director had criticized for being overwritten. With Mark's help, the script was not only pruned to 107 pages, but many subtle formatting and pacing issues were addressed.  To receive his extensive and detailed notes for such a reasonable fee was a real blessing, as was the kind and positive tone in which they were given.  Two other pluses I should mention about Mark's services are: (1) he is a working Hollywood screenwriter and (2) he takes a real personal interest in one's progress."—Ray Chesin, screenwriter of "Blue Planet" 

"I couldn't be more pleased with Mark's critique of my script. He's thorough, smart, knowledgeable, detailed, passionate, experienced, encouraging, talented, and affordable. What else could you possibly want in a script consultant?"—Jeff Thomas, screenwriter of "Cuda"

"After reading through Mark’s notes, it felt like I had participated in an intensive screenwriting workshop. He gave me so much insight into the process and provided helpful suggestions on how to improve my script. I have incorporated many of his ideas and am pleased with the final draft. Thank you Mark for helping me take "Between Land and Sea" to the next level."—Joanne Guidoccio, screenwriter of "Between Land and Sea" 

"Mark has the ability to take an idea and mold it into an amazing story that touches others. With years of creating great work, he has a grand insight into consulting on screenplays that is a true gift. My recent consulting experience with Mark has resulted in personal growth as a screenplay writer and a stronger screenplay then I could have ever imagined. I am proud to say Mark Sanderson is my mentor and an amazing teacher." —Faith Fay, screenwriter of "Game On" 

"Your suggestions and notes were very, very, very insightful and helpful. They were so thorough and every point made sense. You didn't just outline problems, but you suggested solutions to the problems which I admired. After completing these changes, I read through my script again and it reads much, much stronger. There were points you brought up that I hadn't even thought of before or knew much about. Your service was worth every dime, and I will be using you from here on out. THANK YOU once again! I owe you an Oscar speech!" —Justin Bamforth, screenwriter of "The Collectors" 

"Mark' analysis exceeded my expectations on every aspect of my screenplay. I needed a pair of new eyes, professional eyes, that could help me realize the true story behind my first draft. Now that my "first draft fugue" has cleared, I understand not only what my screenplay has been trying to convey, but how to convey it. I am now beginning to sense what a true re-write consists of, but I couldn't be happier with the clarity and precision of which Mark's notes have guided me. Thanks a million!" —Will Stockton, screenwriter of "The Laugh Crafter" 

"I wrote a feature comedy, but it turned out to be 274 pages when I finished it.  After Mark came in, he taught me all about making a script "lean & mean."  In the end after his editing, the script came in at 102 pages. The Scriptcat really knows his stuff.” — Brad Grunberg, screenwriter of "Final Exam" 

“This was my second time to reach out for a professional’s opinion. Mark's review, by far, was the most constructive and insightful. Well worth the money! Having feedback from someone who has already been there and done that is important to those of us who are amateur writers and do it for the joy of writing and creativity. Of course, we all have the dream of one day bringing the characters to life. Thank you for the detailed advice to improve my sitcom.” —Chris Parman, screenwriter of “Tulsa’s Crude” 

“Mark gave me great notes.  Being a professional screenwriter, he knows the industry standards and gives not only advice that you would get from taking a screenwriting class, but also an experienced industry perspective.  A very reasonable, reliable, and helpful guy.” — Nick Josephs, screenwriter of "As the Crow Flies" 

"For anyone who is looking for a professional writer and script doctor, I would highly recommend Mark.  I'd say, if you are looking for a professional writer to walk that extra mile with you on your script, look no further!  My script is based in India, and he knew my story and the characters as well as I do. He is extremely dedicated and into his work." — Earl Reginhard, screenwriter of "Zia" 

"When I came to Mark with my screenplay I was stuck. I knew that it was too long, but wasn't sure where to begin cutting. Mark's advice was exactly on the money. Not only did he steer me in the right direction to get it where it needs to be, but he also gave me the feedback that I wasn't getting by having my friends read the script. Thanks!" — Tony Jones, screenwriter of "Chuck My Life"