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About Roger S. H. Schulman
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer questions on the creative aspects of writing for features and television comedy: brainstorming, character development, plotting, story structure, dialog, rewriting, editing, etc. I can also address the business side of show business: pitching, writing and presenting treatments, "taking" meetings, common pitfalls, etc. I'm also well versed in the relationship between screenwriting and computers: software for scriptwriting, brainstorming, presentation, outlining, an d general organization. I'm also a producer, and so can answer questions regarding the ins and outs of television production, specifically the half-hour arena. Visit my scriptwriting blog at http://scriptwriting.blogspot.com.

Experience
I have been working in Hollywood as a screenwriter for both TV and features for many years. I'm an Executive Producer and "showrunner" who has run several prime-time and cable comedies. I've written several featurs and contributed to many more for several major studios.

Organizations
Writers Guild of America, West

Publications
Newsweek, BusinessWeek, GQ, Connoisseur, UPI, New York Daily News, please visit my blog at http://scriptwriting.blogspot.com

Education/Credentials
I have a Masters of Science in Journalism from Columbia University.

Awards and Honors
Academy Award Nomination, Best Adapted Screenplay British Academy Award, Best Adapted Screenplay NAACP "Image" Award, Best Television Comedy "Annie" Award, Best Animated Film

   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Writing Plays/Screenwriting

SubjectDate AskedExpert

Pitching a mini series11/20/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: Mr. Vasicek, I am currently writing a mini series. I have finished the first episode and am well ...
  A: Steve, Keep this in mind, it is okay to shop your project around now, but many companies will ...
Play submissions11/18/2009Anthony T. Carter
  Q: Can you please tell me when is the best time I should submit a play to a theatre if I wish to have ...
  A: I think you can assume that the plays can be received on a rolling basis if they don't list a ...
Idea for TV show11/16/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I have 2 greats ideas for a reality show. I have told couple of people about it and the response has ...
  A: Generally speaking, this is the question I get asked most often. I'll give you the best answer I ...
Unsolicited material11/15/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I was wondering if there are specific agencies that will read unsolicited material, specifically ...
  A: I do not, and it seems you've done far more research than I ever have. I might suggest you contact ...
Hollywood recommend screenplay11/14/2009John M. Lovett
  Q: can my screenplay that has budget be produce, its set in WASHINGTON, female lead. Talbert
  A: Are you writing that your film has a budget or that you have determined an estimated cost for the ...
Please Help!11/8/2009Beth
  Q: I'm a high school student from Malaysia. I'm thinking about making a play based on the movie/musical ...
  A: I've been dong some research for you. Getting the rights to plays can be a confusing prospect ...
re: previous query11/6/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: Just sending you a new query as you suggested - I'm wondering if you have heard anything about the ...
  A: No, your perseverance is admirable, but a bit too zealous. Agents don't typically respond to ...
Finding an agent from abroad11/2/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: Hoping you can give we some words of wisdom on how to go about finding a US agent for my TV work, ...
  A: This is a new one on me, and being ill-equipped to answer, I have queried someone at my agency. I ...
story Vs. script and screenplay10/31/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: I have a story and would like to know what exactly the difference is between script and screenplay. ...
  A: Todd, I apologize for taking so long to answer your question. I've been out of town and just ...
Actor's direction in script10/29/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: I have always been a bit confused about how much scene direction to put in a screen play. For ...
  A: Check out my website at www.createyourscreenplay.com and look for my book HOLLYWOOD SCREENPLAY ...
Actor's direction in a screenplay10/29/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I have always been a bit confused about how much scene direction to put in a screen play. For ...
  A: You're the not the only one who's confused, or at least uncertain. Like the writing of the dialog ...
New Musical needs exposure10/26/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: For the past 5 years we have been developing a new musical for its road to Broadway. It has been ...
  A: Paul, I apologize for taking so long to answer your question. I've been shooting a film and just ...
Do you know of such an "animal"?10/26/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: Is there anyone out there that has a service of providing knowledgeable directions to screenwriters ...
  A: One's script must be market ready before one should go to market with it. Once the script is ready ...
jukebox musical10/23/2009Anthony T. Carter
  Q: I actually sent this same question to Arlene but I'm hoping you don't mind me asking you it as well. ...
  A: Hmmm...the creative and logical sides of me are clashing...not a good thing haha. Um from the ...
A Super Idea?10/23/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: Mr Vasicek, I’m a college student and am extremely keen to do a script for the Superman film ...
  A: Abi, In order to get any attention by a studio, regardless of what you have, you're going to have a ...
Red Cloth, Yellow Cloth...10/22/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I recently had my first book published entitled 'Red Cloth, Yellow Cloth' which very basically is ...
  A: Ideally what you need is a literary agent. Call the major talent agencies (Endeavor, CAA, William ...
graduate programs in screenwriting in CA10/18/2009Anthony T. Carter
  Q: I have a BA in Public Relations, and I am taking classes in screenwriting/playwriting/film at MTSU ...
  A: I think its a good idea to apply to other schools, not only ones in CA. You want to pick a school ...
title in query letter10/13/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: Good Day, I am using the Hollywood Creative Directory and am getting alot of contacts for ...
  A: There aren't any hard and fast, rigid rules about query letters. But you should use your common ...
A incredible story?10/9/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: I have an incredible story to show. miss this. At clearly ...
  A: I'm sorry, but I don't really understand your question. I need you explain your situation more ...
How do I format video scenes in a script?10/6/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: In one scene of my script, a detective sits in the screening room and watches homemade videos ...
  A: Interesting question. This is one of those situations in which you have options, depending on what ...
Acceptance of query letters10/5/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: Good day, I am ready to send out my query letters to potential buyers of my screenplay but fin ...
  A: If I were you, I'd be prepared to use the HCD in combination with Internet Googling. If, for ...
selling script10/3/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I have done a sci-fi romantic comedy story and now i want to sell it to hollywood,being a first ...
  A: First let me apologize for not getting back to you sooner; I've been ill. Before I can add any ...
Playwriting/Screenplaywriting?10/1/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: I'm a student who has written a couple of plays that people responded really well to and am really ...
  A: Plays for the stage are as different from screenplays as chalk from cheese. It's not a matter of ...
Re: Completed Spec Pilot9/30/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: I have read a few of your previous answers (negative in general but realistic) in regard to ...
  A: I've done such a trick only once, myself, and ultimately, it did not get sold. The project was a ...
Technicalities of play writing...9/30/2009Beth
  Q: My question is rather involved, yet brief. I have written a few plays yet never once was I ...
  A: I think this is a great question. Part of the reason why you'll be hard-pressed to find a really ...
PIP9/28/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: The main characters of my screenplay are at the center of a huge media storm. I want to convey this ...
  A: Matt, This will work: INT. TV STUDIO - DAY JACK WORDS, 50, a slick-haired anchor spits words at ...
Style/ Format: supered images9/16/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: 1. What's your take on writing superimposed IMAGES (not text)? Here's one example of how I've ...
  A: If there's a convention for writing superimposed images in a screenplay, I'm not familiar with it. ...
Market place9/16/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: Good day, I am ready to send out my query letters to potential buyers of my screenplay but fin ...
  A: Sure you can phone. Have your questions down pat, and keep it short. The persons who deal with ...
Style/ Format: supered images/ double quotes9/16/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: 1. What's your take on writing superimposed IMAGES (not text)? Here's one example of how I've ...
  A: 1. I have no issue with writing superimposed images. Make sure it's clear and has a point. 2. If ...
presenting a sitcom9/15/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: Christopher is a graduate of a college film program and has written and filmed a 1/2 hour sitcom. He ...
  A: Chris is a lucky guy to have such a supportive parent as yourself. He'll need every edge he can get ...
tips!9/14/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: I have just finished reading Orwell's 1984 for the 2nd time and i am bursting withe filmic ideas i ...
  A: Josh, Do some research on similar films, including box office. This should answer your question. ...
Market place9/14/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: Good day, I am ready to send out my query letters to potential buyers of my screenplay but fin ...
  A: Sorry, but there's nothing equivalent to the HCD. They have the corner on this market. Bite the ...
MONTAGE9/14/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: Post the description under MONTAGE or after MUSIC OVER SCENE. NO DIALOGUE do you just leave white ...
  A: Never leave extra white space on a page. It's just assumed in the industry that standard formatting ...
Silent Hill Script9/12/2009Barry Pearson
  Q: I've spent days combing the web looking for a finalized version of the script to Silent Hill, as ...
  A: If the movie script isn't coming up in your string searches, it's probably because the authors don't ...
Pitching and Nurturing9/9/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: This follows up on a earlier exchange. Writer previously met two-time Oscar winning Producer at ...
  A: This is a tough one because there's no right answer. On the other hand, that means there's no wrong ...
formatting9/9/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: If I have 2 scenes going on at the same time but in different places do I have to constantly write ...
  A: If you search my previous answers for formatting, you'll see that there are relatively few strict ...
formatting montage9/9/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: I am writing a screenplay and want to use a montage. I am using a writing program but can't find an ...
  A: Richard, You're welcome. It is good that you're a nit picker. Writers must be detailed oriented. ...
formatting montage9/9/2009Don Vasicek
  Q: I am writing a screenplay and want to use a montage. I am using a writing program but can't find an ...
  A: Richard, The montage line should be a slugline something like this: MONTAGE Car race starts. Red ...
Historical Story9/8/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I have an idea for a screenplay that is based on actual historical events (think BLOW or AMERICAN ...
  A: Now you've really left my wheelhouse. This is a purely legal question, and I won't even attempt an ...
Historical Story9/4/2009Roger S. H. Schulman
  Q: I have an idea for a screenplay that is based on actual historical events (think BLOW or AMERICAN ...
  A: First let me say that this is a legal question, and I am not a lawyer. My opinion is just that, an ...

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Questions by
Active Experts:
Roger S. H. SchulmanJosé Luis Vázquez CorianoAnthony T. Carter
Don VasicekBethJacob Spilman
Barry PearsonJohn M. Lovett 

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