Script Consultancy

Script Consultancy from Raindance Canada

10% Discount for all Premium Members worldwide!

At the heart of any great film or TV drama is a GREAT screenplay. Developing that screenplay can be an exhausting, lonely endeavour. Your friend, spouse or writing group mates have probably all read your script and given you feedback – mostly positive to be sure- but until you get a third party professional to cover your work, your script is NOT ready to shop around. Professional script consultancy ensures your project reaches its full potential and passes the ‘first ten pages’ test – whether you’re submitting your screenplay for funding, looking for a producer or sourcing a creative team to bring your script to screen.

Stéphanie Joalland, Raindance Canada’s script consultant, offers world-class script services in both English and French. Start with a FREE consultation on Skype…and go from there. To set up your consultation with Stéphanie, please email: info@raindancecanada.com

10% Discount for all Premium Members worldwide!

Philosophy: Supportive, Personalized, and Creative

“I always offer the kind of feedback I prefer to receive myself as a writer. I provide practical solutions for both story and character problems because I know how frustrating it gets when the coverage doesn’t clearly tell you how to fix the issues that are pointed out. I’m also aware that receiving notes in a pdf file can feel impersonal, overwhelming, and inconclusive, and that’s why I make a point of following up my coverage with a one-on-one session on Skype or in person to answer any questions you may have.” – Stéphanie Joalland

Recognize yourself at any of these stages? You might need a script consultant…

• You feel stuck.
• You want to know if your idea/treatment/script is worth developing?
• You aren’t sure your script is professionally formatted?
• You’ve completed a 1st draft but don’t know how to take it to next level?
• Your friends say your script doesn’t work but they can’t tell you why?
• You need to give your script to an industry professional but not sure it’s ready?
• You have a great TV concept but don’t know how to turn it into a professional proposal?

For a discussion to find out how our service can help, please contact us at info@raindancecanada.com

Raindance Consultancy services include:

General Consultancy

2-3 page professional, objective assessment of your feature film or TV drama script. It points out the areas of your script that need improvement and provides you with general guidelines to move to the next draft. All aspects are covered: plot, characters, theme, dialogue, structure, style, marketability, and formatting. Followed by a one-on-one session via Skype or on the phone.

Detailed Development Notes

A 10-12 page thorough analysis offering practical suggestions to take your screenplay to the next level. Scene by scene analysis, focusing on problem areas and suggesting solutions for plot and structure tightening, character arcs and dialogue strengthening. Followed by a one- on-one session via Skype or on the phone.

Synopsis Analysis (up to 2 pages)

A 2-3 page analysis of your outline is the best way to test an idea, tighten the plot and eliminate potential pitfalls in your story before you spend months or even years developing the treatment or screenplay.

Treatment Analysis (up to 25 pages)

A treatment is essential to developing a story idea before writing the full screenplay. This 5-8 page analysis of your treatment focuses on plot, structure and character arcs to make sure the story works as a whole before you move on to the 1st draft of your screenplay.

Short Film Coverage (maximum 25 pages)

A five page detailed analysis of your short film script. It offers practical solutions to fix plot, character or dialogue issues. Followed by a one-on-one consulting session via Skype or on the phone.

Script Editor/Consultancy Package

Full consultancy from idea, treatment, Step-Outline, to first draft, to final draft. Ideal for those who need to be challenged by deadlines and regular one-on-one interactions with a script consultant. The price varies depending on the project and the timeline.

Hourly One-on-One Consultancy

For screenwriters who prefer working on a hourly basis via Skype or in person.

For further information, to set up a short FREE consultation or find a service tailored to your particular writing needs, please contact info@raindancecanada.com

Here’s what they’re saying about Stephanie:

“Stephanie sent me a 32-page report of sensitive commentary on the strengths and practical advice on how to improve the weaknesses of my writing. She certainly knows my screenplay better than I do! Several of my friends and colleagues had already gone over my story carefully, but… just didn’t know how to get it to the next level. I had to hire a professional if I wanted a competitive screenplay that would garner me the kind of credit I hoped for… Stephanie has encouraged me and challenged me.  She has laid out a programme whose end result will be a marketable draft that I can confidently shop around.”  -  Greg Randall, Edmonton

“Raindance’s detailed script coverage for my screenplay was amazing. I came away from the process with a clear understanding of how I can improve my script and I learned a lot from it. With precision and clarity, script consultant Stéphanie Joalland points out the aspects that work well and those which need work. She has the wonderful ability to connect with the writers story and voice leaving me inspired and knowing what to do next: Thank you, I will certainly submit my next draft to you for coverage”. -Peter O’Rourke (Ottawa) – Writer/Director – “Rites of Spring”

“Stephanie has worked on a number of my scripts and I have to say that without a doubt her feedback has been the most useful I’ve come across which is why I go back to her time and time again. She has an ability to really get into the detail of what works & what doesn’t and why it doesn’t and if you have any plot points or story lines that are a bit wobbly she’ll spot them in a second. If you’re serious about really evolving your script and are up for taking something good and making it brilliant then take her advice, it’s spot on”. -Ayesha Walker (London,UK/LA) – Writer/Producer Stinging Bull Films

“Stephanie really knows her stuff! Of all the script consultants I know and have worked with she is amongst the best. Her feedback is precise, positive and extremely thorough. In an industry where everyone has got their point of view I would absolutely trust Stephanie’s response. A wonderful script consultant!” -Alan Denman (London,UK/LA) – Writer/producer/director – Stinging Bull Films & Founder of Euroscript (UK)

About Our Consultant

Stéphanie Joalland is a native of France, but writes and consults globally in both English and French, from Toronto, Los Angeles or London. She combines European flair with UCLA Screenwriting education to provide the most useful script doctoring, coverage and consultation you’ll find for your screenplay – whether FIRST or FINAL draft.

Stéphanie began as a reader for the French studios TF1 International and Canal Plus, evaluating hundreds of English language scripts from all over the world allowing her to gain a deep understanding of storytelling. She then worked as a story editor, where she developed dozens of international animated European and North-America co-productions, with an Emmy-nomination for Pet Aliens. In Paris she created an animated TV show Valerian and Laureline for Luc Besson (Europa Corp) while her genre feature scripts were optioned by the French studios Pathé and Gaumont. In 2008, one of her spec screenplays was showcased at the prestigious IFP “Emerging Narrative” in NYC during Independent Film Week.

Stephanie has been hired as writer and script doctor on numerous English-language feature films such as the multi-award winning Irish comedy Cup Cake, and the thriller Deadline (starring Brittany Murphy and Thora Birch). She has a London UK-based production company, Frenzy Films, to produce and direct her own screenplays.