"Billy truly understands screenplays. He can quickly hone in on your issue, may it be character or structure-related, and help you find a solution that corresponds to your vision and vastly improves the work. I know I wouldn't be where I am at today without his insight and guidance." Writer-director BARBARA STEPANSKY, 2013 Nicholls Screenwriting Fellow (Sugar in My Veins) "Billy's feedback on my feature script was first rate. He was empathetic and understood what I was trying to achieve with the story. He praised the things he felt were working while giving excellent notes on how to lift the script. I was so impressed with his insight I went back for a second consultation. I believe Billy was the final, crucial step to insure my script was market-ready. I'd happily use him again and would gladly recommend him to anyone who wanted insightful, reasonably-priced script feedback." Film & TV writer ALAN BRASH (The Strip, Shortland Street) "My first script may have been my last if I hadn't had Billy Mernit to guide me. He has a way of getting inside your story and knowing exactly what you need to tell it right. The notes I took during my consultation are on what are now well-worn pages of my notebook...every one of his comments contained a gem of insight I returned to again and again while rewriting." ALICE WHITE (De Vere) "He is the exorcist extraordinaire, extracting all our demons, angst and shoddy story plots with a sense of humor and TLC." MAGGIE FRANKS (Open Hearts) "Honest, insightful and straightforward. The best analysis bang for your buck on every level." BRIAN HURNEY (Cheese Guy) "Billy skillfully analyzed my screenplay's strengths, flaws, and opportunities, then showed me how I could use those opportunities to expand and deepen the core themes and create a bigger and more emotionally satisfying film narrative. I can't recommend his services highly enough." KERI SCHREINER (Three Inches) BILLY MERNIT SCREENPLAY CONSULTS consist of: My reading your draft, giving you a set of detailed notes, and meeting in person or by Skype or Zoom for an hour-plus discussion. What I tackle in the notes (generally about 7-10 pages of them) are the big issues: the effectiveness of your story concept, how compelling your characters are (and how to strengthen them), and whether your structure or plot need adjustments. Key areas we always explore are the theme and accessibility of the project, both in terms of personal expression and commercial potential. Included are page notes that address the specifics of what's working on the page, i.e. any and all craft issues, from examination of story logic to questions of form. My current rate for these services is $600.00. Discounted rates are available for former students, and for "return" drafts (i.e. revised drafts of projects I've already worked on).  I also do consults on fiction manuscripts, at the rate of $1000.00. Please e-mail me (mernitman@gmail.com) to confirm my availability before sending any material. Once we've set up a consult date, e-mail me a PDF of the script, and use PayPal (same e-mail address) for the fee; please use their "Friends and Family" function. I'll also accept a personal check, mailed to: Mernit 6620 Van Noord Avenue North Hollywood, CA 91606 Author of the bestselling screenwriting book, Writing the Romantic Comedy (Harper/Collins), BILLY MERNIT has worked in the industry for 25 years as both writer and consultant. He is currently a story analyst at Universal Studios, after stints with Sony and Paramount. Billy Mernit teaches at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program; in 2014 he received the Distinguished Instructor award, having previously won 2001's Outstanding Screenwriting Instructor of the Year. He gives seminars around the country (e.g. the Santa Fe Screenwriting Conference, and at the University of Hawaii, the Screenwriting Expo in L.A.), and periodically teaches screenwriting at The School in Gotland, Sweden.