Script Doctoring - Writer Services from Gotham Writers Workshop

- What's New?

"Having so many humor principles and techniques laid out in front of me gave me a broad palette I could play around with."

- Jodi Lustig
Writer

"Quite simply, this has been a life-changing, life-enriching experience. No kidding. This is the best gift I've given myself in years."

- Brenda Nesbitt
Creative Director

More Student Quotes Here

There is a time-honored tradition of writers giving each other advice on their work. Veteran screenwriter William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Marathon Man) was kind enough to make some suggestions to a pair of fresh-faced boys working on a screenplay. Those boys, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, went on to win an Oscar for that screenplay, Good Will Hunting.

It's tough to sell a screenplay. And no agent, manager, or producer grants you more than a first look. So you want your work to be in the best possible shape before sending it out into the world. Gotham has a large network of professional screenwriters who can help you strengthen your work and maximize your chances of success.

All Script Doctor services begin with a consultation with a Gotham staff member, so that we can determine your specific needs and then match them with the appropriate professional on our faculty. You will then receive a quote based on the format and length of your material.

Moving forward, the assigned professional will then read your work and meet with you one-on-one—either in-person in New York City, or by phone. You will receive clear and concrete suggestions for improving your script, including a summary letter. This is not a copy-editing service, but a careful analysis of the core of your work. You will also have the opportunity to get all of your questions answered.

Script doctoring is available for full-length screenplays, television scripts, or plays, as well as shorter scripts.

There are two versions of doctoring—in-person or phone.

You may choose the in-person version, which includes an in-person meeting with the doctor, if you live in New York City. You may choose the phone version, which includes a phone meeting with the doctor, regardless of where you live. Total price for the in-person version is slightly higher than for the phone version because more meeting time is allotted.

The total price is based on the length of the work and the version of doctoring selected.

Rate: $65 per hour. 2-hour minimum.

Full-length script (screenplays, plays, etc.)

     5 hours to read plus
     1 hour for summary letter plus
     2 hour in-person meeting or 1 hour phone meeting

For example, for a 125-page screenplay: Total: $520 for in-person; $455 for phone version.

Short script (short film, one-act play, etc.)

To be determined based on the length of the work.

A quote will be provided prior to the commencement of any work. Payment is due in advance.

Quick Link: Interested in private instruction, other than doctoring? See our Private Instruction Programs

For a free consultation, please fill out the form below or call 212-974-8377 or 877-974-8377 (toll-free outside New York City).

Consultation Request Form

First Name:		Last Name:
Address Line 1:		Address Line 2:
City:		State:
Region (if not in USA):		Postal Code:
Country:
Phone #:	###-###-####
Email:		Retype Email:

Please indicate the type of work you are seeking assistance on:	Screenplay TV Sitcom TV Drama Sketch Comedy Treatment
# of Properly Formatted Pages

1. Please describe the type of manuscript you want to submit (i.e. 1st draft, rewrite, synopsis/outline, spec script or original, etc.)?
2. Have you ever taken writing classes before? If so, where?
3. Are there any specific questions that you would like to have addressed by your Script Doctor or do you prefer a blind-read?
4. Any other comments or questions you'd like to submit to help us better meet your needs?
5. How did you hear about us?