Script Notes
Mike loves beta-reading screenplays (or any fiction!) and offering notes to fellow writers when he can. Just a way for one writer to try and give back to others by offering his completely unqualified opinion. No, I don't pretend as if my opinion is any more valuable than someone else's. I just love reading screenplays. And apparently I'm not that terrible at helping people I know. See below for some testimonials from a few writers Mike's given notes to:
"Mike's input on my latest screenplay was really invaluable. He not only recognized story lines that seemed to peter out, but came up with ideas to weave some of my existing characters together in a way that not only gave me a better ending, but made for a more satisfying story."
-Peter McKay, "Pete's Christmas" (Hallmark Channel, November 2013).
"The first thing I said to Mike upon receiving the notes on my script was, 'Sorry for sending such a sloppy draft.' In retrospect, the draft I sent to Mike wasn't sloppy; I was reacting to Mike's vast comprehensiveness in his edits. He focuses on line-by-line detail to high-level story arcs and character justifications. With Mike's careful eye, my script improved in ways I couldn't have improved it on my own."
-Alex J. Mann, Writer/Director, Sundance Channel.
"Mike has the ability to see a script both from the artistic point of view of a writer and from the critical eye of an audience member. When critiquing my script, he was appreciative of my creative choices and yet was still able to offer critical insight to help me see those choices from the outside in. He was helpful beyond measure and I tweaked the hell out of my script, for the better, after receiving his notes. I can't thank him enough."
-Sarah E. Jacobs, Writer, Huffington Post Contributor and Award-winning Actress
"Mike's screenplay notes are spot on, well thought out, and in-depth. His notes helped me greatly in revising of script of mine, both in terms of overarching plot structure as well as character emotions and interactions. Mike has a great eye for story is always a great help!
-Charles Pieper, Writer/Director/Animator
Again, Mike's notes are purely for informative purposes and he is obviously not pretending to be a professional scriptreader, or consultant, or 'qualified' to give such opinions. Just one peer to another. Pay it forward folks :).
"Mike's input on my latest screenplay was really invaluable. He not only recognized story lines that seemed to peter out, but came up with ideas to weave some of my existing characters together in a way that not only gave me a better ending, but made for a more satisfying story."
-Peter McKay, "Pete's Christmas" (Hallmark Channel, November 2013).
"The first thing I said to Mike upon receiving the notes on my script was, 'Sorry for sending such a sloppy draft.' In retrospect, the draft I sent to Mike wasn't sloppy; I was reacting to Mike's vast comprehensiveness in his edits. He focuses on line-by-line detail to high-level story arcs and character justifications. With Mike's careful eye, my script improved in ways I couldn't have improved it on my own."
-Alex J. Mann, Writer/Director, Sundance Channel.
"Mike has the ability to see a script both from the artistic point of view of a writer and from the critical eye of an audience member. When critiquing my script, he was appreciative of my creative choices and yet was still able to offer critical insight to help me see those choices from the outside in. He was helpful beyond measure and I tweaked the hell out of my script, for the better, after receiving his notes. I can't thank him enough."
-Sarah E. Jacobs, Writer, Huffington Post Contributor and Award-winning Actress
"Mike's screenplay notes are spot on, well thought out, and in-depth. His notes helped me greatly in revising of script of mine, both in terms of overarching plot structure as well as character emotions and interactions. Mike has a great eye for story is always a great help!
-Charles Pieper, Writer/Director/Animator
Again, Mike's notes are purely for informative purposes and he is obviously not pretending to be a professional scriptreader, or consultant, or 'qualified' to give such opinions. Just one peer to another. Pay it forward folks :).