Daniel Calvisi
As you probably know, there are other consultants and coaches out there, with varying levels of experience and rates.
So why choose me?
Firstly, I want you to know that screenwriting has been my PRIMARY FOCUS for over two decades. Other consultants may throw up a quickie website to get the occasional freelance job. I’ve dedicated my career to better writing.
I’ve taught and coached hundreds of writers, including pros with credits at most of the top networks, streamers and studios in the industry, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon, Disney, Hulu, Sony, Warner Brothers, ABC, Showtime and Apple TV+. My clients have won Emmys and an Oscar.
I served as Story Consultant on the upcoming horror feature Devoted starring Mena Suvari and Skeet Ulrich.
Read a glowing review of my services in SCRIPT MAGAZINE.
I was employed as a Senior Story Analyst for Miramax Films, a major motion picture studio, for over five years on screenplays and novels. I worked for executives who developed and/or produced the films Chicago, Gangs of New York, Chocolat, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Spy Kids, The Faculty, and Scream 2 & 3. I have also worked as a Reader for Fox 2000 (a division of Twentieth Century Fox), New Line Cinema and Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs), among others.
I am a professional screenwriter who writes on assignment in many different genres of features, television and shorts. My recent “script doctor” assignments include a feature thriller, a one-hour drama pilot and an award-winning horror short.
With the cast of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” on the Fox lot.
As a screenwriting blogger, I covered the red carpet premieres of several television series, including Justified, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Mad Men.
There are a lot of Readers in the industry but not all are called on to review the “A” material. On the job, I was personally requested by certain executives for their HIGH-PRIORITY reads because they held my opinion in high regard. I was the primary Reader on the first two volumes of the children’s fantasy book series Artemis Fowl that was purchased in a multi-million dollar deal and was green-lit as a film. I was the primary Reader on the original source material for the movie Limitless starring Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro. I have been given material written by or attached to Johnny Depp, John Grisham, Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Lopez, Elmore Leonard and Pierce Brosnan, to name a few.
Working for various employers, I have written professional story coverage on material that sold in major deals and/or became produced films, such as…The Sixth Sense, Limitless, Drag Me To Hell, The Bourne Identity, Memoirs of a Geisha, Cold Mountain, Ender’s Game, The Faculty, The Truman Show, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Ten Things I Hate About You.
I have consulted on projects attached in various capacities to the likes of Sam Raimi, David Mamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, Johnny Depp, Nick Nolte, Jackie Chan, Icon Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Wes Craven, Spike Lee, producer Christine Vachon, Jonathan Demme, and all the major agencies including CAA, ICM and WME.
I have been featured on Indie Film Hustle, Film Courage, the Story Series and L.A. Screenwriter. I hold a degree in Film and Television from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
I live in Los Angeles and I communicate with many friends and contacts in the industry. I read produced scripts to keep up on the work of the top pros. I am active on social media and monitor the daily trades, script sales and box-office reports.
Giving a talk at the Scriptwriters Network in Hollywood.
I give talks to writers’ groups and at conferences. I have taught classes in screenwriting and screenplay analysis at the college level and I know how to assess the ability of a student and work one-on-one with them to achieve the desired results.
I write essays on my passion: dramatic storytelling. I have published articles in Script Magazine in print and online. You can read many of my articles and analyses on my Blog.
My rates are very reasonable for the amount of work and insight I provide. I often do more than the quoted range of notes and remain on a call longer than the allotted time because I want to give a client as much feedback as possible.
My mantra is…CRAFT = BUSINESS
Focus on your craft, first and foremost, and the commercial success will follow.
My Guarantee #1: If your script is ready to submit, as is, I will return it to you free of charge with one referral to a contact in the industry.
My Guarantee #2: I will give you all the notes I feel are necessary to take your script to the next level of quality.
I’m excited to work with you!
Sincerely,
Daniel Calvisi
In Hollywood, nothing will ever be stronger than a great story. Trends come and go, stars rise and fall, studios succeed and fold, but a great story will always be king.