**Some would say you must write about sympathetic characters. I would respectfully disagree. The only thing you must do is write about INTERESTING and ORIGINAL characters. Everything else is noise**
-UNIQUE SCREENPLAY CONSULTATION FROM THE WRITER OF THE NEW TUPAC BIOPIC-
My names Steven Bagatourian and Ive been a professional screenwriter for 12 years.
So lets talk about stories. Your story in particular. Obviously, there are a million people offering consultations, classes, books and seminars to screenwriters claiming to give you the secret to becoming a successful writer in Hollywood. So whats different and whats special about the way that I work with writers? Ill take a shot at explaining my POV, in brief
When I started writing screenplays I took a lot of classes and I read a lot of books and they all talked about structure, structure, structure and concept, concept, concept. While these things are undoubtedly important, there have been exactly zero instances in my career where an executive mentioned a plot point during a meeting. It just doesnt happen. Yet most teachers and consultants will strictly hammer on plot points, etc. because that stuff is easier to teach.
In my experience, there are literally TWO THINGS that matter in regard to having a career as a successful screenwriter in Hollywood: the ways you write characters and how strong (meaning, original) your voice as a writer is. Thats it, honestly. Maybe not as easy to teach, but its the truth, as far as I can tell.
Accordingly, these are the two areas I focus on when I read your script and work with you as a writer. I do my very best to tell you all the stuff that I wish someone wouldve told me 12 years ago because it wouldve saved me a lot of wasted time.
Bottom line, I love working with writers and Im incredibly passionate about all kinds of stories. As a break from obsessing over my own stories, I find it extremely rewarding and fun to work with other writers.
No matter what level youre at as a writer, I would love to work with you and help make your story the best it can be. If you have any questions at all about how we can work together, please give me a call and Im happy to give a free 15-minute initial consultation.
About me: I am the writer of the upcoming TUPAC SHAKUR BIOPIC from Morgan Creek Productions, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), I also co-wrote AMERICAN GUN, which starred Forest Whitaker and was nominated for Best Picture at the Independent Spirit Awards. I have been a recipient of the Cinestory Screenplay Competition Grand Prize. Over the last decade, I have sold scripts to Fox, Warner Brothers, Mandalay Entertainment, IFC Films, Echo Lake Productions, John Cusack's New Crime Productions and Vanguard Animation. I am represented by ICM.
Imdb link: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1691003/
American Gun review: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060406/REVIEWS/60403002/1023
RATES: *Private consults start ? $50/hr.
**Call for a free 15-minute phone consultation**
*Group workshops at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood every Saturday 12pm-3pm - $25/session. Please RSVP via e-mail up to 24hrs before.
Includes lectures, live writing exercises, group discussion of your screenplays, ideas, and everyone else's.
Contact: Steven Bagatourian
E-mail: stevenbagatourian?gmail.com
Google Voice # (707) 336-2247
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Screenplay-Consults-w-Steven-Bagatourian/185528251497217
