ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

2 years, 4 months ago - Peter Spencer

Hey Lynwood, I do editing for producers and directors and often get hired to suggest cuts. Is this a paid gig?
Here are my headline credits as a writer:

Since 2012 Peter has written three produced indie features including the screen adaptation of ‘All The Ordinary Angels’ the Pearson-Award-winning stage play by Nick Leather featuring Mark Bonnar, Lucy Gaskell and Rebecca Eastham.

Peter wrote a feature-length period bio-drama for Louise Hooper (director on The Sandman, Treason, The Witcher, Flesh & Blood, Cheat, Cold Feet, Vera).

For producer Mark Forstater (Monty Python & the Holy Grail) Peter adapted the true-life-adventure book ‘No Problemo: How Pablo Escobar Saved My Life’ into a feature screenplay.

He wrote the screenplay ‘Cause/Effect’ and numerous project treatments for the Gary Kurtz (Star Wars) /Christopher McHugh partnership at both Startling Imagery Films and Marlin Entertainment.

Peter has written for director Frances Lea (Strawberry Fields) and producer Rachel Richardson-Jones (Habit). He collaborated with director Ian D Fleming (Centurion, Hollyoaks) on ‘Sex & Drugs & Northern Soul’ and in 2021 he wrote a detailed mini-series outline ‘Operation Airthief’ for Deborah Sheppard (Armstrong).

With Stuart Wright (LAIR) Peter co-wrote the time-loop horror ‘Vacant Possession’.

In 2021 Peter taught a course in screenwriting to third year students at the prestigious East15 Acting School at the University of Essex. https://www.east15.ac.uk/ and in 2023 returned there to run a session on script development.
He has assisted with story development on numerous short films.

He is a contributor to Holly Hudson’s ‘Man Factory’ – the ‘TikTok’ sketches that are to be recorded as a podcast sitcom in May 2023.

His bodyswap script was semi-finalist (top 2% from 9487 entries) at Austin Film Festival 2017

With BBC director Jay Robey (Newsround, Drip, The Card Room Chronicles) Peter co-created the crime series ‘Shadow Child’ and crypto-currency thriller mini-series ‘CURR€NCY’.

With Pamela Schott (worldwide winner of the Writer’s Digest Grand Prize, 2014) Peter is presently writing the rom-com ‘Desert Island Diva’. The romcom 'Secret Shopper' which he and Pamela wrote, is with Sky Studios, producers Rachel Richardson-Jones and exec producer Sarada Mcdermott.

In partnership with screenwriter and playwright Sarah Cassidy (Bleeding With Mother, CBBC Tales from Malory Towers for BBC Sounds) he co-created the drama series: ‘Relay’

Films in development include ‘Captain Christmas’, the airline thriller ‘Manifest’ psychological thriller ‘Bristle’ and romcom ‘Infrequent Flyer’.

Contact: madeleine@wgmatlanticgroup.com
info@petespencer.tv

2 years, 4 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc

Maybe you’ve overdone action lines? Even kerning can help a bit! On Final Draft? I’ll have a quick look. At franz@imperialfilmproductions.com

2 years, 4 months ago - Marlom Tander

Is it your script?

First, and yes, we know 160 pages is too long, but, is it? Have you done a timed read, with the visuals in your head? If you have simply overwritten it, you might not have such a big problem. I'd be amazed if it was so overwritten that it didn't need cuts, but it might not quite be the slash and burn you think.

That said:-

My gut says there is perhaps an entire subplot or character(s) that should just go.

Probably also opportunities to make some scenes do multiple things - two talky scenes become one talky scene where the ACTING gets across the other scenes chat. Example, scene one two characters talk about how dangerous a third is. Scene two, the three meet and plot happens. It might be possible to replace the first scene with body language in the second.

That's the sort of thing to look for.

If you want me to have a look, drop me a line, happy to help, make of it what you like.

2 years, 4 months ago - Bob Eckhard

Hi Lynwood,
Currently coverting a novel into a 100 page script. I suppose the question is payment and deadline if you're already in preproduction without a properly edited script. Bob

2 years, 4 months ago - Heather Ross

Hi Lynwood,

You may have already found someone.

If not, I recently took a a client's script down from 160 to 120 for competitions. It then took home Best Unproduced Script at the Toronto International Women’s Film Festival, was Runner Up for Best Screenplay at the Lonely Seal Film and Music Festival, and a finalist at the Big Apple Film Festival.

My bio: I’ve got an MA in Screenwriting with Distinction from Edinburgh Napier, trained in Story for Script Development with John Yorke Story, and my co-written short CROAK just took home Audience Choice at Two Short Nights Film Festival. I've script edited Edinburgh Napier's MA Screenwriting programme and for uncommissioned scripts.

Let me know your rate and if this is solved! Cheers,

Heather

2 years, 4 months ago - Michael Tabb

www.MichaelTabbWGA.com
Read the endorsements on the first page.