Screenplay Notes and Development

Private help from a 28-year screenwriting veteran and teacher.

In 2022, I started setting aside time every Friday for personal one-on-one coaching and screenplay development.

The best uses for these consultations are loglines, story idea help, and short treatments. We can cover other topics as well, just let me know when you sign up.

I will also read and give notes on a completed screenplay, but I strongly encourage you to take classes with me first.

Because of the expense, please be sure you know what you want to achieve in the consultation to get the best use out of it.

We can talk about anything you want, but have an objective for yourself.

Be specific. Know what you want to walk away with before the meeting.

I've been working in film for 20 years, and have developed a network of trusted readers for my work. I took a project developed in a writers group to Tom, that had been read by a host of others, all of whom said it was "ready to go."

Tom was still able to identify character arcs and emotional resonances that needed clarifying, plot points that were landing in the wrong place, and provide targeted feedback that immensely improved the script. Cannot recommend highly enough.

- Charles Haines, Screenwriter, Filmmaker, Program Director, Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College.

WHY STORY AND PLOT?

Unlike other screenwriting classes, the Story and Plot workshops are taught by a working professional of over 28 years who has taught the subject for nearly as long.

This is not an academic theory. It is not a glamorized interview broken up into segments. These are tangible processes that have been refined and tested literally over decades. The courses are designed to communicate layered ideas simply and clearly, and to give specific, concrete steps to empower the student's writing and storytelling.

WHY STORY AND PLOT?

Unlike other screenwriting classes, the Story and Plot workshops are taught by a working professional of over 28 years who has taught the subject for nearly as long.

This is not an academic theory. It is not a glamorized interview broken up into segments. These are tangible processes that have been refined and tested literally over decades. The courses are designed to communicate layered ideas simply and clearly, and to give specific, concrete steps to empower the student's writing and storytelling.

My script consultation with Tom was honestly the most productive and encouraging notes session I have ever had.

It wasn't just listening to a critique of my writing (though he did have excellent constructive criticism) but it was an in depth conversation about the story itself and an amazing cooperative brain storming session about making the strongest decisions in support of that story.

He is so genuine in his enthusiasm for teaching and I left feeling like I really had someone in my corner.

- Julia

I’m part of a writer’s group and regularly get smaller notes from peers, but Tom’s feedback is different. His big picture insights have been invaluable, whether he’s pointing out issues with pacing, deepening character arcs and relationships, or helping to elevate emotional payoffs.

What I appreciated most was that our conversations weren’t filled with “you should” but “what if?” Tom doesn’t try to redirect your vision but helps you explore it more fully.

I remember one of his course emails where he wrote, “I want you to succeed. If you succeed, I succeed.” I genuinely believe he means that. I left our 1:1 with fresh ideas and excitement for my next draft.

- Joo Lee, Screenwriter

Your Coach: Tom Vaughan

I started writing professionally twenty-eight years ago. I've had eight movies made and two more in production this year. I am proud of all the ups and downs of my career, but if you really want to understand a subject, I recommend teaching it.

I have been teaching for 22 years now. It forced me to communicate the why behind so many of the decisions I made as a screenwriter. In doing so, these decisions became tools, accessible whenever I needed them.

As I became a better teacher, I became a better writer. As I became a better writer, I became a better teacher.
When I struggle with any of my own projects, these are the principles I fall back on.

Because of my teaching, I finally have what I lacked early in my career: a tangible and repeatable process to maximize the full potential of a story idea and tell the story I am trying to tell to the best of my abilities.

That's what these classes are about. And Go Coogs!

If you want to read more about my bona fides, you can click HERE.

Your Coach: Tom Vaughan

As I became a better teacher, I became a better writer. As I became a better writer, I became a better teacher.
When I struggle with any of my own projects, these are the principles I fall back on.

That's what these classes are about. And Go Coogs!

If you want to read more about my bona fides, you can click HERE.

What I appreciated most was that our conversations weren’t filled with “you should” but “what if?” Tom doesn’t try to redirect your vision but helps you explore it more fully.

- Joo Lee, Screenwriter

I can't say enough about how much Tom has helped me with my screenplay development! I've been writing for over three decades, but am fairly new to screenwriting, and no one has ever explained this process more clearly or effectively.

Tom laid out my strengths and weaknesses and helped me see where things weren't working and most importantly -- how to fix them!

He is so generous with his time and talents and seems to really care about the work. Signing up with him was one of the best decisions I ever made.

- Kelly Simmons, Novelist and now screenwriter.

Professional screenplay development for feature screenplays and pilots.

Professional screenplay development for feature screenplays and pilots.

Because of the expense, please be sure you know what you want to achieve in the consultation to get the best use out of it.

The best uses for these consultations are loglines, story idea help, and short treatments. We can cover other topics as well, just let me know when you sign up.

Because of the expense, please be sure you know what you want to achieve in the consultation to get the best use out of it.

We can talk about anything you want, but have an objective for yourself.

Be specific. Know what you want to walk away with before the meeting.

Why Screenplay Development?

Why Screenplay Development?

WHY STORY AND PLOT?

Unlike other screenwriting classes, the Story and Plot workshops are taught by a working professional of over 28 years who has taught the subject for nearly as long.

WHY STORY AND PLOT?

Unlike other screenwriting classes, the Story and Plot workshops are taught by a working professional of over 28 years who has taught the subject for nearly as long.

Screenplay Development

One-on-One Screenplay Development.

Screenplay Development

One-on-One Screenplay Development.

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